AGP Executive Report

Public Health: Ian A. Stein took up his role as PAHO/WHO representative for The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos on October 22, bringing more than 30 years of public-health experience. Constitutional Affairs: A UK group is proposing dedicated House of Lords representation for all 14 British Overseas Territories, reopening debate about how TCI’s interests are represented in Westminster. Ocean Protection: TCI joined The Bahamas and Cayman Islands in signing the Hamilton II Declaration, backing international efforts to secure stronger protections for the Sargasso Sea. Public Finance: The National Insurance Board has completed the first stage of adopting international public-sector accounting standards, ahead of the Government’s 2030 target for wider implementation. Policing: Commissioner Fitz Bailey says murders fell 43.8 per cent in 2025, from 48 to 27, and vowed to confront violent crime within the law. Land Enforcement: The Crown Land Unit led a multi-agency enforcement exercise in Five Cays.

Public Safety: Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey says murders fell 43.8% in 2025, from 48 to 27, and vows to confront violent crime while keeping the force within the law. Justice: The Judiciary says most cases referred to mediation settle, but too few people use the service; it is urging greater public awareness. Public Administration: Ian A. Stein took over as PAHO/WHO representative for The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos on October 22. The National Insurance Board has also completed the first phase of its transition to international public-sector accounting standards, ahead of the government’s 2030 target. Regional Cooperation: Turks and Caicos signed the Hamilton II Declaration, joining efforts to secure stronger international protection for the Sargasso Sea. Housing Policy: An opinion argues that cooperative credit unions could help Islanders finance affordable and worker housing.

Public Safety: Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey says murders fell 43.8% in 2025, from 48 to 27, and vows to confront violent crime within the law. Justice: The Judiciary says too few disputes are referred to mediation, despite strong settlement results, and is urging the public and legal profession to use the service more. Public Finance: The National Insurance Board has completed the first phase of its transition to international public-sector accounting standards, ahead of the Government’s 2030 target. Regional Cooperation: Ian Stein took up his post as PAHO/WHO representative for the Turks and Caicos Islands and The Bahamas on October 22. The Islands also joined a declaration seeking stronger international protection for the Sargasso Sea. Housing Policy: An opinion piece argues that cooperative credit unions could help Islanders finance affordable and worker housing, adapting shared-investment models beyond luxury developments.

Public Safety: Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey says murders fell 43.8% in 2025, from 48 to 27. He vowed to confront violent crime while keeping policing within the law. Justice: The Judiciary says most disputes referred to mediation settle, but too few people use the service. Officials cite limited public and legal-sector awareness as a possible barrier. SIPT Case: Confiscation hearings due to begin October 26 will consider Crown claims exceeding $129 million against three people convicted in the corruption probe. Public Finance: The National Insurance Board has completed the first stage of adopting international public-sector accounting standards, ahead of the Government’s 2030 target for wider implementation. Marine Protection: The Turks and Caicos Islands joined the Bahamas and Cayman Islands in signing the Hamilton II Declaration, which seeks stronger international protection for the Sargasso Sea.

Public Finance: The Turks and Caicos National Insurance Board has completed the first stage of its move to international public-sector accounting standards, ahead of the Government’s 2030 target. The Board says its work could guide other public bodies. Ocean Protection: TCI joined the Bahamas and Cayman Islands in signing the Hamilton II Declaration, which seeks international support for stronger protection of the Sargasso Sea. SIPT Proceedings: A judge from St Vincent and the Grenadines has been appointed to hear confiscation cases beginning October 26, with prosecutors seeking more than $129 million from three people convicted in the SIPT corruption case. Democratic Rights: An opinion piece questions whether people born and raised in TCI but without Islander Status should be able to vote, highlighting the link between status and voter eligibility. Coastal Resilience: Cabinet has approved a Caribbean Development Bank appraisal for a proposed coastal protection project, but the Government has yet to announce its cost, locations or timeline.

Public Finance: The Turks and Caicos National Insurance Board has completed the first stage of its transition to international public-sector accounting standards, ahead of the Government’s 2030 target. Ocean Protection: TCI joined the Bahamas and Cayman Islands in signing the Hamilton II Declaration, which aims to build support for legally binding protections for the Sargasso Sea. SIPT Proceedings: Justice Raymond Colin Williams has been appointed to hear confiscation cases starting October 26. The Crown is seeking more than $129 million from former Premier Michael Misick, former minister McAllister Hanchell and attorney Chal Misick. Coastal Protection: Cabinet approved a Caribbean Development Bank appraisal for a proposed shoreline protection project; costs, locations and a construction timetable have not yet been announced. Voting Rights: An opinion raises questions about young people born and raised in TCI who contribute to the country but may not qualify for Islander Status or voter registration.

Courts and Justice: Chief Justice Yonnette Cummings-Edwards says court-connected mediation is resolving disputes without full trials. In 2025, 22 of 28 cases carried over from 2024 were concluded. Public Finance: The National Insurance Board has completed the first stage of its transition to international public-sector accounting standards, ahead of the Government’s 2030 target. Regional Conservation: Turks and Caicos joined the Bahamas and Cayman Islands in signing the Hamilton II Declaration to advance international protection for the Sargasso Sea, with further action expected at a UN ocean treaty meeting in January 2027. SIPT Case: Justice Raymond Colin Williams has been appointed to hear confiscation proceedings starting October 26. The Crown is seeking more than $129 million from former Premier Michael Misick, former minister McAllister Hanchell and attorney Thomas Misick. Coastal Protection: Cabinet approved a Caribbean Development Bank appraisal for a proposed shoreline protection project, but has not announced its cost, locations or timeline. Voting Rights: An opinion raises questions about young people born and raised in TCI who lack Islander Status and cannot register as electors.

Ocean Protection: The Turks and Caicos Islands joined the Bahamas, Cayman Islands and other partners in signing the Hamilton II Declaration to seek stronger international protections for the Sargasso Sea. Public Finance: The National Insurance Board has completed the first phase of adopting international public-sector accounting standards, ahead of the government’s 2030 target for wider adoption. SIPT Confiscation Hearings: Justice Raymond Colin Williams has been appointed to oversee proceedings starting October 26, where the Crown is seeking to recover more than $129 million from three people convicted in the corruption case. Coastal Protection: Cabinet approved a Caribbean Development Bank appraisal of a proposed shoreline protection project; costs, funding and a construction timeline have not yet been announced. Voting Rights: An opinion article questions whether young people born and raised in TCI but without Islander Status should be able to register as voters under the current constitutional rules.

Ocean Protection: Turks and Caicos joined the Bahamas, Cayman Islands and other partners in signing the Hamilton II Declaration to advance international protection for the Sargasso Sea. The initiative aims to secure legally binding measures under the UN High Seas Treaty, with talks set to continue in January 2027. Public Finance: The National Insurance Board has completed the first phase of adopting international public-sector accounting standards, ahead of the Government’s 2030 target for wider public-sector adoption. SIPT Proceedings: A judge from St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been appointed ahead of confiscation hearings beginning October 26. The Crown is seeking to recover more than $129 million from three people convicted in the corruption probe. Coastal Protection: Cabinet has approved a Caribbean Development Bank appraisal of a proposed shoreline protection project, but has not announced its cost, locations or timeline. Electoral Rights: An opinion raises questions about young people born and raised in TCI who may be unable to register to vote because they do not hold Islander Status.

SIPT Confiscation: A new ad hoc judge has been appointed ahead of hearings starting October 26. The Crown is seeking to recover more than $129 million from former Premier Michael Misick, ex-minister McAllister Hanchell and attorney Chal Misick; the court will decide what, if anything, must be repaid. Voting Rights: An opinion piece raises questions about young people born and raised in TCI who hold British Overseas Territories citizenship but lack Islander Status—and therefore cannot register to vote. Coastal Protection: Cabinet approved a Caribbean Development Bank appraisal of a proposed shoreline protection project. The move is an assessment step, not approval of construction funding; costs and locations have not been announced. Policing: Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam reaffirmed support for Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey and ongoing reforms, citing reported falls in major crime and murders while acknowledging concerns about local officers’ promotion prospects. Labour Market: The International Labour Organization is to help TCI develop a $2.1 million labour market system.

Ocean Governance: Public Works and Environment Minister Jaché Adams signed the Hamilton II Declaration in Bermuda, backing international cooperation to protect the Sargasso Sea under the UN High Seas Treaty. SIPT Proceedings: Justice Raymond Colin Williams has been appointed ad hoc judge ahead of October 26 confiscation hearings targeting three convicted figures, with the Crown seeking more than $129 million. Coastal Protection: Cabinet approved a Caribbean Development Bank appraisal of a proposed shoreline protection project; its cost, locations and timeline have not been announced. Voting Rights: An opinion raises concerns that people born and raised in TCI may remain unable to vote if they do not qualify for Islander Status. Jobs and Skills: Government plans a $2.1 million labour-market system with the International Labour Organization to map local skills and guide decisions on employment and foreign labour.

Coastal Protection: Cabinet has approved a Caribbean Development Bank appraisal of a proposed shoreline-protection project. Costs, funding and locations have not yet been announced. Voting Rights: An opinion piece raises questions about young people born and raised in TCI who may reach adulthood without Islander Status—and therefore be unable to register to vote. SIPT Proceedings: Vincentian Justice Raymond Colin Williams has been appointed to hear confiscation proceedings scheduled for October 26 involving former Premier Michael Misick and others. Jobs and Skills: Government plans a $2.1 million labour-market information system with the International Labour Organization, including a skills audit to guide employment and foreign-labour decisions. Housing: Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam says growth has outpaced access to affordable homes and calls for housing alongside essential services. Policing: The Governor has backed Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey and ongoing reforms, citing reported declines in major crime and murders while acknowledging concerns about local officers’ advancement.

Judicial Proceedings: Vincentian Justice Raymond Colin Williams has been appointed an ad hoc judge in TCI, ahead of October 26 confiscation proceedings linked to the SIPT trial. The Crown is seeking more than $129 million from former Premier Michael Misick, former minister McAllister Hanchell and attorney Chal Misick. Regional Security: TCI Regiment personnel are joining Caribbean forces in Antigua and Barbuda to support security and logistics for next month’s Commonwealth summit. Youth Policy: CARICOM’s 2026 youth survey will help shape regional proposals on youth development, including governance and progress measures, with issues ranging from education and health to crime and civic participation. Jobs and Skills: Government is partnering with the International Labour Organization on a $2.1 million labour-market system and skills audit, intended to guide workforce planning and create better opportunities for Islanders. Housing: Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam says working residents need a realistic path to affordable homes, alongside planning for essential services and infrastructure. Policing: The Governor has backed Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey and ongoing reforms, citing reported drops in major crime and murders while acknowledging concerns about local officers’ advancement.

SIPT Proceedings: Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam appointed Vincentian Justice Raymond Colin Williams as an ad hoc judge, ahead of confiscation hearings set for October 26 involving former Premier Michael Misick and others. The Crown is seeking sums that could exceed $129 million. Police Leadership: The Governor backed Commissioner Fitz Bailey and ongoing police reforms amid criticism, citing reported falls of 42% in major crime and 88% in murders over the past year. Jobs and Skills: The Government is working with the International Labour Organization on a $2.1 million labour-market system and skills audit to guide training and foreign-labour decisions. Housing: The Governor warned that growth and high costs are putting home ownership out of reach for working residents, and called for affordable homes supported by essential services. Tax Status: Turks and Caicos remains on the EU’s list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, according to the Council’s latest update.

Youth Policy: CARICOM’s 2026 youth survey will help shape proposals for regional youth programmes and a development index, drawing on young people’s views on education, health, security and civic participation. SIPT Proceedings: Justice Raymond Colin Williams has been appointed an ad hoc judge ahead of October 26 confiscation hearings involving former Premier Michael Misick and two others. Jobs and Skills: The government is partnering with the International Labour Organization on a $2.1 million labour market information system and skills audit to guide employment planning and decisions on foreign labour. Housing: Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam says working residents need a realistic path to safe, affordable homes as growth pushes up costs and strains infrastructure. Police Leadership: The Governor has reaffirmed support for Commissioner Fitz Bailey and police reforms, citing reported declines in major crime and murders while acknowledging concerns about local officers’ advancement. Financial Oversight: The EU has again listed the Turks and Caicos Islands among jurisdictions on its tax blacklist.

SIPT Proceedings: Vincentian Justice Raymond Colin Williams has been appointed an ad hoc judge in Turks and Caicos, ahead of confiscation hearings set for October 26 involving former Premier Michael Misick and others. The Crown is seeking amounts that could exceed $129 million. Police Leadership: Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam has backed Commissioner Fitz Bailey and police reforms, citing reported falls in major crime and murders while acknowledging concerns over local officers’ promotion prospects. Jobs and Housing: The Government is working with the International Labour Organization on a $2.1 million labour-market system and skills audit to guide employment and foreign-worker decisions. The Governor has also called for affordable homes and community infrastructure as growth pushes up housing costs. Regional Security: Turks and Caicos Regiment personnel are joining Caribbean forces supporting security preparations for November’s Commonwealth summit in Antigua and Barbuda. Tax Status: The EU’s latest update continues to list Turks and Caicos among jurisdictions considered non-cooperative for tax purposes.