Caribbean diplomacy: Saint Lucia’s Foreign Minister Alva Baptiste joined India-CARICOM talks in New York, where ministers backed deeper cooperation across trade and investment, agriculture and food security, digital governance, climate resilience and energy, while CARICOM also reiterated support for India’s UNSC bid for 2028-29. EU-CELAC security and trade: The EU and CELAC endorsed a roadmap in New York focused on security, trade and digital cooperation, with transnational organised crime highlighted as a shared priority. Tourism and hospitality investment: Royal Caribbean Group agreed to take a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts in a roughly $3bn deal, expected to close in early 2027, expanding cruise-to-resort cross-selling across the Caribbean including Saint Lucia. Local water reliability: Choiseul/Saltibus MP Keithson Charles says work on the northern raw-water pipeline tied to the John Compton Dam has started to cut leaks and improve supply for WASCO. Digital economy push: Saint Lucia announced a regulatory sandbox for digital ID and fintech testing under its DigiGov programme, aiming to speed safe adoption. Innovation spotlight: Bank of Saint Lucia backed the Orbtronics Innovation Summit 2026, positioning Saint Lucia as the Caribbean “Silicon Forest.” Industry and services: Saint Lucia was named No. 1 Island on Expedia’s 2026 Hot List, with tourism minister Ernest Hilaire receiving the accolade.