AGP Executive Report

Digital Cooperation: CTU ICT Week brought Caribbean ministers, regulators and tech leaders to Cayenne from October 5–9, the union’s first major annual meeting in a French territory. Talks focused on AI, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and telecom resilience, strengthening links across the English-, French- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. Climate Science: September 2026 was the planet’s second-hottest September on record, according to NOAA, NASA and Europe’s Copernicus service; global temperatures for January through September were also the second-highest recorded.

Climate Science: September 2026 was Earth’s second-hottest September on record, according to NOAA, NASA and Copernicus. Digital Cooperation: Cayenne hosted the Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s ICT Week from October 5–9, the first time its flagship event was held in a French territory. Delegates discussed AI, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and resilient telecommunications, strengthening ties across the English-, French- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.

Climate Science: September 2026 was the planet’s second-hottest September on record, with January–September also ranking second-warmest, according to NOAA, NASA and Copernicus. Digital Cooperation: Cayenne hosted Caribbean Telecommunications Union ICT Week from October 5–9, bringing regional leaders together on AI, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and telecom resilience. The meeting marked the CTU’s first premier annual event in a French territory, and approved Saint Barthélemy as an associate member.

Climate Science: Earth recorded its second-hottest September on record in 2026, with January–September also the second-warmest period measured, according to NOAA, NASA and Copernicus. Digital Cooperation: CTU ICT Week brought regional leaders to Cayenne for talks on AI, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and telecom resilience. The event was the union’s first annual gathering in a French territory, strengthening ties across the Caribbean, France and the EU.

Digital Cooperation: CTU ICT Week brought Caribbean leaders to Cayenne from October 5–9 to discuss AI, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and resilient telecommunications. The event was the union’s first annual gathering in a French territory, strengthening links across the region’s English-, French- and Dutch-speaking communities. Regional Connectivity: A renewed air services agreement between Guyana and France clears the way for a proposed direct Cayenne route by Trans-Guyana Airways. Cabinet has approved the application, but the service is not yet operating.

Climate Science: September 2026 was the planet’s second-warmest September on record, according to NOAA, NASA and Copernicus. The January–September global average also ranked second-highest, behind 2024. Digital Cooperation: CTU ICT Week brought Caribbean officials and technology leaders to Cayenne to discuss AI, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and telecommunications resilience. The event marked the first time the Union’s annual gathering and statutory meetings were held in a French territory, strengthening ties across the Caribbean, France and the EU. Saint Barthélemy was also approved as an associate member of the CTU.

Climate Science: September 2026 was Earth’s second-hottest September on record, with the January–September global average also ranking second-highest, NOAA, NASA and Copernicus reported. Regional Digital Future: CTU ICT Week brought Caribbean leaders to Cayenne from October 5–9 to discuss AI, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and telecom resilience. It was the Union’s first annual event held in a French territory, strengthening links across the region. Connectivity: A renewed Guyana–France air services pact could enable direct Cayenne flights; Trans-Guyana Airways has applied to operate the route, and Guyana’s Cabinet has approved it.

Regional Digital Cooperation: CTU ICT Week 2026 wrapped up in Cayenne after bringing Caribbean officials, researchers and industry leaders together to discuss AI, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and resilient telecommunications. The event was the CTU’s first annual gathering in a French territory, strengthening links across the English-, French- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. Saint Barthélemy was also approved as an associate member. Connectivity: A renewed Guyana-France air services agreement clears the way for Trans-Guyana Airways to pursue a direct Cayenne route. Cabinet has approved the proposal, which could make travel between Guyana and French Guiana faster and easier.

Digital Cooperation: CTU ICT Week wrapped up in Cayenne after bringing Caribbean leaders together to advance AI, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and stronger telecommunications networks. It was the first time the Union’s flagship event was held in a French territory, highlighting ties across the region and with France and the EU. Space Launches: CNES and Spain’s PLD Space are assessing a second launch pad at the Guiana Space Centre’s ELM-Diamant complex for the MIURA 5 and MIURA 9 rockets. The proposed expansion could ease launch bottlenecks and make Kourou a more flexible base for European and commercial missions.

Spaceport Expansion: PLD Space and France’s CNES will assess a second launch pad at Kourou’s ELM-Diamant complex for the MIURA 5 and MIURA 9 rockets. The plan could boost launch capacity and ease congestion at Europe’s main spaceport. Regional Air Links: A renewed Guyana-France aviation pact clears the way for Trans-Guyana Airways to launch a proposed direct Cayenne route, cutting a journey that can currently take most of a day. Guiana Shield Research: Critical Resources has hired specialists to map the geology of its Suriname gold projects and more than 6,000 square kilometres of surrounding terrain in the ancient shield that extends into French Guiana.

Spaceport Expansion: PLD Space and France’s CNES will study whether to add a second launch pad at Kourou’s ELM-Diamant complex for the MIURA 5 and 9 rockets. The proposal could expand commercial launch capacity, but construction is not yet confirmed. Space Science: The China-Europe SMILE satellite, launched from Kourou, has begun science operations and released its first data, including continuous ultraviolet images of the northern aurora. The mission will study how solar wind interacts with Earth’s magnetic field. Regional Connectivity: EllaLink has moved its proposed submarine cable linking Cayenne with Caribbean islands into development, targeting service by the end of 2029. Construction still depends on partner agreements and financing. Air Links: A renewed Guyana-France air services pact clears the way for a proposed direct Cayenne route by Trans-Guyana Airways, which has Cabinet approval. The service could replace a journey that now takes close to a day.

Space & Science: The European-Chinese SMILE mission has entered regular science operations, releasing first aurora images that show a full northern lights ring in ultraviolet and early data from its soft X-ray, magnetometer and ion instruments—launched from Kourou in French Guiana on May 19. Telecom Infrastructure: EllaLink advanced its “Caribbean Gateway” submarine cable plan into the development stage, targeting service by end-2029 with an open-access, carrier-neutral system linking Cayenne to Martinique/Guadeloupe and extending toward Aruba, Curaçao and beyond. Aviation Connectivity: Guyana and France renewed their air services cooperation, with a potential direct route to Cayenne now positioned to move forward after a 50-year gap, aiming to cut travel time and complexity for passengers. Launch Infrastructure at Kourou: PLD Space and CNES signed an agreement to assess adding a second launch pad at the ELM-Diamant complex to boost capacity for MIURA 5 and MIURA 9 operations. Local Business & Finance: Saint-Martin’s Executive Council approved European education funding and a payment schedule tied to a Computech dispute, while continuing legal steps over the final owed amount. Exploration in the Guiana Shield: Critical Resources kicked off structural and geophysical work for its Gonini and Greenstars gold projects in Suriname’s Guiana Shield, bringing in exploration specialists ahead of deeper targeting.

Space & Science: The China-Europe SMILE mission has entered science operations after commissioning, releasing first aurora and other scientific images from its four instruments—while engineers say the key X-ray view of Earth’s magnetopause should improve around mid-October. Telecom & Connectivity: EllaLink advanced its Caribbean Gateway into the development phase, planning an open, carrier-neutral submarine fibre system starting from Cayenne to Martinique/Guadeloupe and onward to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, targeting service by end-2029. Aviation Links: Guyana and France renewed their air services cooperation, with a potential direct route to Cayenne now positioned to move forward via Trans-Guyana Airways, aiming to cut travel time that can take nearly a full day today. Spaceport Infrastructure: PLD Space and CNES signed a deal to assess adding a second launch pad at Kourou’s ELM-Diamant complex to boost commercial launch throughput. Mining & Geology: Critical Resources kicked off structural and geophysical work for its Gonini and Greenstars gold projects in Suriname’s Guiana Shield, bringing in exploration specialists across granted rights and surrounding greenstone belts.

Space & Science: The China-Europe SMILE mission has entered regular science operations after commissioning, releasing first aurora and solar-wind interaction images; its ultraviolet camera has already captured a full northern lights ring, while engineers say the first high-quality X-ray view of Earth’s magnetopause should come in mid-October. Connectivity in French Guiana: EllaLink advanced its Caribbean Gateway into the development phase, with a planned open-access submarine cable running from Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe and onward to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, targeting service by end-2029. Aviation Links: Guyana and France renewed their Air Services Agreement, creating a path for direct flights to Cayenne; Trans-Guyana Airways’ proposed route has Cabinet approval, aiming to cut travel time that can take a full day or more today. Spaceport Infrastructure: PLD Space and CNES signed an agreement to assess adding a second launch pad at Kourou’s ELM-Diamant complex to boost launch throughput for MIURA 5 and MIURA 9. Regional Tech & Policy: CTU ICT Week 2026 in Cayenne highlighted digital government, AI, innovation and cybersecurity, with Trinidad and Tobago’s iGovTT pushing citizen-centred, secure digital services. Mining & Geoscience: Critical Resources is kicking off structural and geophysical work for its Gonini and Greenstars gold projects in Suriname’s Guiana Shield, bringing in GexplOre and expanding the study area across thousands of square kilometres.

Space & Science (French Guiana launch): The China-Europe SMILE mission—launched May 19 from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou—has entered science operations, releasing first aurora images and early data from its four instruments, with engineers still working toward the first high-quality X-ray view of Earth’s magnetopause. Spaceport Infrastructure (Kourou): PLD Space and CNES signed a deal to assess adding a second launch pad at the ELM-Diamant complex at the Guiana Space Centre, aiming to boost throughput for MIURA 5/9 missions. Connectivity (Cayenne to Caribbean): EllaLink advanced its Caribbean Gateway into the development phase, moving from letters of intent toward committed investment for a carrier-neutral submarine cable from Cayenne to Martinique/Guadeloupe, with a western leg to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, targeting service by end-2029. Aviation (direct flights to French Guiana): Guyana and France renewed an Air Services Agreement after 50 years, positioning Trans-Guyana Airways for a potential direct route to Cayenne—cutting travel time that can currently take close to a full day or more. Regional Tech & Policy (CTU ICT Week): CTU ICT Week 2026 in Cayenne focused on digital government, AI, cybersecurity and inclusion, with Trinidad and Tobago’s iGovTT contributing to the regional agenda. Mining (Suriname, Guiana Shield): Critical Resources kicked off a structural and geophysical push for its Gonini and Greenstars gold projects in Suriname’s Guiana Shield, bringing in specialists to interpret a wider greenstone belt area.

Space & Science (French Guiana launch): The China–Europe SMILE mission, launched from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, has entered science operations and released first aurora and space-weather images, with teams noting the X-ray view of Earth’s magnetopause is still being tuned for better results in mid-October. Spaceport Infrastructure (Kourou): PLD Space and CNES signed a deal to assess adding a second launch pad at ELM-Diamant to boost capacity for PLD’s MIURA 5/9, aligning with Europe’s push to diversify access to orbit. Connectivity (Cayenne): EllaLink advanced its Caribbean Gateway into the development stage, with a planned open-access fibre route starting in Cayenne and reaching Martinique/Guadeloupe plus a western leg to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, targeting service by end-2029. Aviation (direct flights to French Guiana): Guyana and France renewed an Air Services Agreement after 50 years, setting up a potential direct Cayenne route for Trans-Guyana Airways and cutting a trip that can take nearly a full day or more. Energy/Mining (Suriname, Guiana Shield): Critical Resources kicked off structural and geophysical work for its Gonini and Greenstars gold projects in Suriname’s Guiana Shield, bringing in exploration specialists ahead of deeper exploration. Regional Tech & Policy (Caribbean digital): CTU ICT Week 2026 in Cayenne focused on digital government, AI, cybersecurity and inclusion, with Trinidad and Tobago’s iGovTT contributing to the agenda.