AGP Executive Report

Road Safety Push: Speed cameras are being tested around Bermuda and are expected to be operational by September, with tickets planned to go out electronically (post, email, or mobile). Bermuda Day Logistics: Household waste collection is shifting for the Bermuda Day holiday—Friday pickup moves to Saturday, 23 May—while recycling stays on its usual alternating schedule and the Tynes Bay drop-off remains open Friday 9am–noon. Public Service Spotlight: Christopher Williamson of Marsh Folly won the Public Service Excellence Award for an interactive field trip for Somerset Primary and for stepping in to support Parks during limited staffing around Good Friday. AI in Insurance: Fidelis has partnered with Howden to deploy an AI-driven platform (Broker Connect) to speed up and improve underwriting submissions. Parks Notice: Owners of two abandoned, impounded vehicles (Maroon BMW #52792; Grey Hyundai #32510) have until Friday, 29 May to claim them or they’ll be disposed of under the Parks regulations.

Bermuda Day logistics: Public Works has moved Friday household trash collection to Saturday for the holiday, while recycling stays on alternating-week schedules (next: May 28 west, May 29 east) and the Tynes Bay drop-off remains open Friday 9am–noon. City of Hamilton updates: Normal resident garbage runs May 21; businesses/bars have their last collection May 21 at 5pm, with normal service resuming May 25—plus a reminder not to put bins out unless it’s your scheduled day. Road safety push: Speed cameras are being tested now and are expected to be operational by September, with electronic tickets planned. Ocean focus: A new Our Ocean film series starts tonight in Hamilton, including Heart of the Sea and Shark Country, tying Bermuda’s marine policy work to its maritime past. Business & finance: DHT Holdings reports a near fourfold Q1 profit jump on stronger VLCC markets, and Marex says it has completed its 2029 notes consent solicitation.

Single-Use Plastics Act debate: OBA’s Linda Smith says the Single Use Plastics Act 2026 should be careful and practical, warning against rushed rules that could drive unnecessary costs and pushing for real alternatives before bans. Community & environment: The Bermuda Sea Cadet Corps wrapped its Sponsored Row and Trashathon, pairing a harbour row and kayak with a public clean-up as it targets a $20,000 fundraising goal. Local life & culture: Bermuda’s LGBTQ+ community safety is in focus after a survey found two thirds of people don’t feel safe to be open, with an International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia event at City Hall. Government updates: MPs are also reviewing the plastics legislation, while Bermuda’s new government digital portal continues rolling out to make services easier to find. Gardening inspiration: Supertunia petunias are back in the spotlight for their fragrance and container-friendly performance.

Government Digital Upgrade: Bermuda’s new Government digital portal is now live, bringing services, official information and public updates into one easier-to-navigate platform, with simpler language and pages organised by topic, task and life event. Environment & Roads: Public Works flagged short-term traffic disruption on Middle Road near Fort Hill Road in Devonshire (lane closures for Link Bermuda trench works, 16–18 May) and a later Mangrove Bay Road closure in Sandys for a community restoration ceremony (25 May). Plastics Push: MPs are set to debate the Single-Use Plastics Act 2026, with the bill designed to phase out the most harmful items only after consultation and when alternatives are viable. Local Nature Work: At Fairmont Southampton, invasive casuarina trees are being culled as the resort redevelops, following DENR direction. Regional Spotlight: Jamaica will host the second CTO Air Connectivity Summit in Kingston next February, building on Bermuda’s inaugural event.

Digital Government Launch: The Cabinet Office says Bermuda’s new government portal is now live, bringing services and official updates into one topic- and task-based platform with simpler language. Environment & Works: Traffic disruptions are set for Middle Road near Fort Hill Road (lane closures for Link Bermuda trench works, 16–18 May) and Mangrove Bay Road in Sandys (road closure for a community restoration ceremony, 25 May). Invasive Species Watch: At Fairmont Southampton, developers say invasive casuarina culling is underway under DENR direction after residents reported trees coming down around the redevelopment entrance. Entrepreneurship Push: Economy Minister Jason Hayward met local business owners to gather feedback for the Bermuda Entrepreneurship Blueprint. Local Governance & Culture: MPs are set to debate the Single-Use Plastics Act 2026, with the prohibited-items list left blank pending consultation. Security & Training: National Security Minister Michael Weeks visited Warwick Camp ahead of the Royal Bermuda Regiment’s UK training mission.

Invasive species cleanup: Workers are culling invasive casuarina trees at the Fairmont Southampton entrance, after public complaints and DENR direction—part of a wider effort to protect Bermuda’s endemic woodland and vulnerable coastline. Public safety on the roads: Temporary lane closures hit Middle Road near Fort Hill Road in Devonshire (16–18 May, 7:30am–about 6pm) for Link Bermuda trench works, with detours via Tee Street, Montpelier Road and Flora Duffy Hill; Mangrove Bay Road in Sandys closes (25 May, 5:30pm–9:30pm) for a community restoration ceremony. National priorities: Minister Jason Hayward’s BEDC “Chat and Chew” gathered entrepreneurs to shape the Bermuda Entrepreneurship Blueprint, while Minister Michael Weeks visited Warwick Camp to brief the Royal Bermuda Regiment ahead of its UK training mission. Environment & health: MPs are set to advance single-use plastics restrictions with phased implementation and customs duty relief for alternatives, and Bermuda’s first Dive Festival runs through Sunday. Security & tech: Bermuda and Near AI announced secure AI for public services at the SALT forum.

Single-Use Plastics Act: MPs have passed Bermuda’s Single-Use Plastics Act 2026, with the Minister of Public Works and Environment saying the schedule of banned items will be filled only after duties and alternatives are worked out—so it’s a phased rollout, not an instant blanket ban. Micro Forests: St George’s is getting a biodiversity boost as the St. George’s Foundation and the Bermuda Zoological Society turn an overgrown Fort William area into a micro forest of native and endemic plants. Secure AI in Government: Bermuda is partnering with Near AI to deploy “secure AI” across parts of the public sector, aiming to protect citizen data at the infrastructure level. Digital Finance Push: At the same forum, BCB called stablecoin a “killer app” for cross-border payments, while Stellar and the Government said Bermuda’s on-chain national economy plans are moving forward. Community & Safety: OutBermuda says two thirds of LGBTQ+ people don’t feel safe to be open, and a City Hall event marks International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. Environment & Preparedness: With hurricane season about two weeks away, tropical development is already being watched, and Bermuda’s feral chicken control drive continues.

Caribbean Tourism Stability: Curaçao is standing out as the Caribbean’s most consistent tourism market, with Amadeus/CHTA data showing the lowest seasonality score (21) and year-round growth as overall Caribbean overseas travel slows to just 1% between April 2025 and March 2026. Bermuda Politics & Environment: Bermuda’s Single-Use Plastics Act 2026 is finally up for debate in the House of Assembly, with the prohibited-item list left blank pending consultation and alternatives. Digital Finance & AI: Bermuda’s public sector is partnering with Near AI to roll out secure AI for government services, while BCB executives at the Salt forum called stablecoins a “killer app” for cross-border payments. Community & Safety: OutBermuda says two thirds of LGBTQ+ people don’t feel safe to be open, with an International Day event at City Hall. Health & Outdoors: Bermuda Dive Festival kicks off today, and hurricane season is just two weeks away.

Education & Youth: Bermuda College held its Spring Commencement with graduates urged to choose the right “environments” for growth, even when the path feels uncertain—rain moved 107 graduates into Athene Lecture Hall. Environment & Biodiversity: Volunteers and the Bermuda Zoological Society’s Micro Forest Project helped restore Fort William in St George’s by clearing invasive plants and planting native and endemic species, with corrections programme participants pitching in. Public Health & Wildlife Control: DENR says nearly 1,700 feral chickens were removed in the past month, with contractors added and avian flu checks underway. Business & Culture: Long Bay Rosé officially launched, branding a Provençal-style rosé around Bermuda’s Long Bay in Warwick. Tech & Governance: Bermuda and Near AI announced a partnership to deploy secure AI in parts of the public sector, aiming to protect citizen data at the infrastructure level. Finance & Markets: Bermuda’s push for on-chain finance continues, with Stellar and the Government signalling early steps toward moving activity onto the Stellar network.

AI in Government: Bermuda is partnering with Near AI to roll out secure AI for public-sector services, using confidential computing so even the infrastructure provider can’t see sensitive citizen data. Biosecurity & Wildlife: DENR says nearly 1,700 feral chickens were removed in the past month, with more contractors coming and avian flu checks underway. Local Talent: Pembroke-born Mikhail Nisbett has earned his multiengine commercial pilot certification and is now aiming for flight-instructor work. Cybersecurity Demand: A fresh look at the sector argues protection spending stays steady even when tech budgets tighten, as cloud and AI expand the number of attack points. Climate Pressure: A new paper warns New Orleans could become uninhabitable this century without major emissions cuts. Tropical Season Watch: Even though the Atlantic season starts June 1, May can still be active—historically the most active off-season month. Reinsurance Outlook: The global reinsurance market is projected to surge to US$1.14T by 2033 as climate risk drives more risk transfer.

Digital Finance Push: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley used STEP Caribbean Conference 2026 to argue that private wealth needs stronger governance and succession planning as regulation and technology keep shifting. On-Chain Bermuda: Bermuda’s Digital Finance Forum also brought a major milestone: the Government and Stellar say Bermuda will start moving financial-services activity onto the Stellar network, aiming for everyday “digital dollars” use. Regulation Watch: STS Digital says it has cleared Bermuda Monetary Authority licensing steps for a full upgrade under the Digital Asset Business Act, even as retail crypto activity cools. Crypto & Policy: Across the Atlantic, the U.S. CLARITY Act is heading to committee with a July 4 signing target. Mental Health Focus: A new column and local programmes keep spotlighting Bermuda’s fragmented mental-health pathways—and the push to connect support across ages and stages. Environment & Enforcement: DENR is calling for stronger penalties for illegal fishing as fishery wardens and marine-protection planning move forward. Community & Services: Focus Counselling’s Root & Rise open house is set for May 15, and Bermuda’s boat ramp upgrades at Stonecrusher Corner are now open.

On-chain push: Bermuda’s Digital Finance Forum just marked a big step toward a fully on-chain economy, with the Government and Stellar Development Foundation announcing financial-services activity will start moving onto the Stellar network—aimed at digital dollars for wages, merchant payments, government fees, and everyday wallet use. Regulation spotlight: STS Digital also got a full Bermuda Monetary Authority licence under the Digital Asset Business Act, after passing testing and modified licensing stages. Fisheries pressure: DENR head Geoffrey Smith told a forum stronger penalties are needed to deter illegal fishing, citing recent court cases over black grouper rules and plans to expand fishery wardens on Coastguard vessels. Mental health focus: Solstice says Bermuda’s support system is too fragmented, and is working to connect pathways from early concerns through assessment and beyond. Local life: Bermuda’s May community calendar is out, plus a new public boat ramp at Stonecrusher Corner has reopened after upgrades.

Teacher reinstatement row: An anonymous “concerned parents” petition on Change.org is demanding the reinstatement of Port Royal Primary School teacher Crystal Caesar, who was placed on administrative leave after a student disciplinary incident—sparking claims that Education Minister Crystal Caesar intervened to allow a pupil into an interschool sports event, while the Government says she acted within her legal remit. Government notices: Today’s official notices include acting judicial appointments and an Environment & Natural Resources notice of intention to construct a controlled plant. Caribbean tourism buzz: Puerto Rico and Jamaica are leading the Caribbean’s official destination social media race, with the next growth push likely hinging on creators and diaspora storytelling, not just tourism channels. PwC leadership: David Gibbons is set to become CEO of the PwC Caribbean network from 1 July 2026, succeeding Frazer Lindsay. Local infrastructure: Stonecrusher Corner boat ramp upgrades are complete and the site is now open for public use in St George’s.

World Cup buzz: Curacao is set to become the smallest country ever at FIFA World Cup 2026, with the “Blue Wave” debuting June 11 after an unbeaten qualification run. Local infrastructure: Stonecrusher Corner’s upgraded boat ramp in St George’s is now open, with safer access and improved launch surfaces for the public and marine users. Tech & education: Chatmore International School has rolled out Century, an AI-powered learning platform, across Years 2–11 after a pilot. Housing pressure: A new Affordable Housing Strategy 2025–2035 push is being tested against a widening gap between wages and rents, with one-bed costs highlighted as unsustainable. Community & health: Bermuda Is Love released a free May events schedule, while Butterfield & Vallis hosted workplace “Cancer Conversations” focused on men’s health. Environment & culture: Africans in Bermuda and Keep Bermuda Beautiful ran a Smith’s Parish clean-up, and ExSys Awards finalists were announced ahead of the July 28 ceremony in Chicago.

Community Calendar: Bermuda Is Love has published its free May 2026 lineup, from a “Raising Resilient Teens” panel on May 13 to a blood drive (May 14), a landlord & tenant rights workshop (May 16), and a beekeeper tour (May 23). Workplace Health: Butterfield & Vallis teamed up with Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre for “Cancer Conversations,” focusing on men’s health and early detection. World Cup Prep: Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City is being reshaped for the 2026 FIFA World Cup—new pitch work, reduced seating, and FIFA branding taking over. Local Infrastructure: Stonecrusher Corner’s upgraded public boat ramp is now open after Ministry of Public Works and Environment improvements. Education Tech: Chatmore International School has fully rolled out its AI learning platform, Century, across Years 2–11. Security Planning: Bermuda has formally started a Security and Defence Review covering land, air, maritime, plus cyber and critical infrastructure.

Security & Defence Review: Bermuda has formally kicked off a cross-domain security and defence assessment covering land, air, maritime, plus cyber and critical national infrastructure—aimed at updating the 2014 framework and shaping future risk-focused budgets, with input from local stakeholders and UK/US experts. Education Tech: Chatmore International School says it’s now fully rolled out Century’s AI learning platform across Years 2–11 after a successful pilot, positioning it as personalised support with student demand driving the expansion. Tourism Boost: The Bermuda Tourism Authority reports Q1 2026 visitor arrivals up 3.5% year-on-year (42,468 total), with leisure travel and per-person spend also rising. World Cup Prep: FIFA venue upgrades are in “final touches” mode in Vancouver and Toronto, as grass installation work continues ahead of the tournament. Sailing Spotlight: Emirates GBR’s Dylan Fletcher met King Charles in Bermuda, bringing “royal seal of approval” ahead of this weekend’s SailGP event.