AGP Executive Report

Digital Cooperation: Cayenne hosted the Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s ICT Week from October 5–9, the first time its flagship event and statutory meetings were held in a French territory. Regional leaders focused on AI, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and resilient telecommunications; Saint Barthélemy was approved as an associate member. New Cable Link: EllaLink launched the development phase of a proposed submarine cable network linking Cayenne with Martinique, Guadeloupe and several Dutch Caribbean islands. The system is targeted to enter service by the end of 2029, pending financing and final commitments. Direct Flights: A new Guyana-France air services agreement has cleared the way for Trans Guyana Airways to pursue at least two weekly nonstop flights between Georgetown and Cayenne. The route, subject to operating approvals, could cut a journey that can take up to 24 hours overland to about 75 minutes.

Digital Cooperation: CTU ICT Week brought Caribbean officials and industry leaders to Cayenne on October 5–9, its first premier annual gathering in a French territory. Talks focused on AI, cybersecurity, resilient digital infrastructure and regional cooperation. Regional Connectivity: EllaLink has launched the development phase of a submarine cable network linking Cayenne with Martinique, Guadeloupe and other Caribbean islands. The project is seeking firm commitments and financing, with service targeted for late 2029. Air Links: A new Guyana-France agreement clears a key hurdle for proposed direct Georgetown–Cayenne flights. Trans Guyana Airways is preparing to seek operating approvals for at least two weekly services, which could cut a journey of up to 24 hours to about 75 minutes.

Digital Cooperation: CTU ICT Week brought Caribbean leaders to Cayenne on October 5–9 to discuss AI, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure and telecom resilience. It was the union’s first major annual event in a French territory, strengthening links across the region. New Cable Plans: EllaLink launched the development phase of a proposed submarine cable network linking Cayenne with Caribbean islands, with service targeted for the end of 2029. Air Link: A new Guyana-France agreement has cleared the way for Trans Guyana Airways to pursue at least two weekly nonstop flights between Georgetown and Cayenne. The roughly 75-minute service, subject to approvals, would replace journeys that can take up to 24 hours.

Digital Cooperation: CTU ICT Week brought ministers, regulators and industry leaders to Cayenne from October 5–9, the first time the Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s flagship event was held in a French territory. Talks focused on AI, cybersecurity and resilient digital infrastructure; Saint Barthélemy was also admitted as an associate member. Undersea Connectivity: EllaLink has moved its Caribbean Gateway project into development, with a proposed cable linking Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe and connections to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. Service is targeted for late 2029. Regional Flights: Trans Guyana Airways is preparing for at least two weekly nonstop flights between Georgetown and Cayenne under a new Guyana-France air agreement. The roughly 75-minute route still needs operating approvals and could replace journeys that take up to 24 hours by land.

Digital Cooperation: CTU ICT Week wrapped up in Cayenne on October 9, bringing Caribbean governments and industry together to discuss AI, cybersecurity, resilient networks and digital inclusion. It was the first time the Union’s flagship event was held in a French territory. Regional Connectivity: EllaLink has begun developing a submarine cable system linking Cayenne with Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western route serving Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. The project is targeting service by the end of 2029. Direct Flights: Trans Guyana Airways is preparing to launch at least two weekly Georgetown–Cayenne flights under a new Guyana-France air agreement, replacing a 1976 framework. The proposed 1-hour-15-minute service still needs operating approvals; current overland journeys can take up to 24 hours.

Digital Cooperation: CTU ICT Week wrapped up in Cayenne on October 9, bringing Caribbean officials together to advance AI, cybersecurity, telecommunications resilience and digital inclusion. It was the CTU’s first annual gathering in a French territory; Saint Barthélemy was also approved as an associate member. Connectivity: EllaLink launched the development phase of a proposed submarine cable linking Cayenne with Martinique, Guadeloupe and islands farther west. The system is targeted to be ready by the end of 2029. Travel Links: A new Guyana-France air agreement has cleared the way for Trans Guyana Airways to prepare at least two weekly nonstop Georgetown–Cayenne flights. The service still needs operating approvals, but could cut a journey that can take up to 24 hours by road and other connections to about 75 minutes.

Digital Cooperation: CTU ICT Week brought regional leaders to Cayenne from October 5–9 to discuss AI, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure and telecom resilience. It was the first time the Union’s annual event was held in a French territory. Regional Connectivity: EllaLink launched the development phase of a proposed submarine cable linking Cayenne with Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western branch serving Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. The system is targeted to be ready by the end of 2029. Direct Flights: Trans Guyana Airways is preparing at least two weekly Georgetown–Cayenne flights under a new Guyana-France air agreement, replacing a pact dating to 1976. The roughly 75-minute service still needs operating approvals; current overland trips can take up to 24 hours. Spaceport Plans: CNES and Spain’s PLD Space will assess a second launch pad at Kourou’s ELM-Diamant site for the company’s MIURA rockets. Tribute: French Guiana’s territorial president, Gabriel Serville, died at 67 on September 30. A longtime advocate for regional integration, he helped secure the territory’s associate membership in CARICOM.

Air Links: Trans Guyana Airways has begun preparations for at least two weekly nonstop flights between Georgetown and Cayenne, following a new Guyana-France air services agreement. The roughly 75-minute route still needs operating approvals and would replace a surface journey that can take up to 24 hours. Digital Connectivity: EllaLink has launched the development phase of a proposed submarine cable linking Cayenne with Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western branch serving Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. The system is targeted to begin service by the end of 2029. Regional Leadership: CARICOM is mourning Territorial Collectivity President Gabriel Serville, who died at 67 on September 30. He championed greater autonomy and French Guiana’s regional ties, including its associate membership in CARICOM. Space Industry: CNES and Spanish launch firm PLD Space will assess a second launch pad at Kourou’s ELM-Diamant complex, potentially expanding capacity for commercial and European missions.

Regional Flights: Trans Guyana Airways has begun preparations for at least two weekly nonstop flights between Georgetown and Cayenne. The roughly 75-minute service could replace journeys of up to 24 hours, but still needs operating approvals under a new Guyana-France air agreement. Digital Links: EllaLink has moved its Caribbean Gateway cable plan into development, with Cayenne linked to Martinique and Guadeloupe and a western route to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. Financing and partner commitments are still needed; service is targeted for 2029. Leadership: French Guiana’s Territorial Collectivity president, Gabriel Serville, died at 67 on September 30. CARICOM mourned the leader who championed greater autonomy and helped secure the territory’s associate membership in the bloc. Spaceport: CNES and Spain’s PLD Space will assess a second launch pad at Kourou’s ELM-Diamant site for the company’s MIURA rockets, potentially expanding commercial launch capacity.

Aviation Links: Guyana and France have renewed their Air Services Agreement, replacing the 1976 framework and clearing the way for Trans Guyana Airways to launch at least two weekly nonstop flights between Georgetown and Cayenne, cutting the trip from up to 24 hours by land and transit to about 1 hour 15 minutes, pending operating approvals. Regional Governance & Loss: CARICOM mourned the death of French Guiana Territorial Collectivity president Gabriel Serville, who helped drive the territory’s move toward CARICOM associate membership. Digital Connectivity: EllaLink has officially launched its Caribbean Gateway initiative, a new submarine cable system starting in Cayenne and reaching Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western branch for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, targeting service by end-2029 after letters of intent become firm commitments. Space & Science: The China-Europe SMILE mission has entered science operations after its in-orbit review, with first aurora and solar-wind interaction data coming from a satellite launched from Kourou.

Aviation Links: Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) has started preparations for direct Georgetown–Cayenne flights after Guyana and France signed a modernised Air Services Agreement, replacing the 1976 framework; TGA says it aims for at least two nonstop services per week, pending approvals, cutting the trip from up to 24 hours by land and transit to about 1h15 by air. Regional Connectivity: EllaLink officially launched its EllaLink Caribbean Gateway initiative in Cayenne, with a planned submarine cable from Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe and a western branch for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire; the project moves into committed investment, with service targeted for end-2029. Space & Industry: PLD Space and CNES signed an agreement to assess adding a second launch pad at the Guiana Space Centre’s ELM-Diamant complex to boost capacity for PLD Space’s MIURA 5 and MIURA 9. Local Impact: CARICOM mourned the death of French Guiana’s Territorial Collectivity president Gabriel Serville, who helped drive the territory’s move toward CARICOM associate membership.

Air Connectivity: Guyana and France have signed a modernised Air Services Agreement, replacing the 1976 framework, clearing the way for direct Georgetown–Cayenne flights. Local Impact: Trans Guyana Airways says it has started administrative and regulatory preparations to launch at least two weekly non-stop services, cutting the trip from up to 24 hours by land and transit to about 1h15m by air, pending approvals. Regional Connectivity: In Cayenne, EllaLink officially launched its EllaLink Caribbean Gateway initiative, a new submarine cable linking Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western leg to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, aiming for service by end-2029 after moving from design to committed investment. Space & Science: The China-Europe SMILE satellite mission, launched from Kourou, has entered science operations after commissioning, with first aurora and other observation data released. Governance: CARICOM mourned the death of French Guiana’s Territorial Collectivity president Gabriel Serville, who helped drive the territory’s associate membership in the regional bloc.

Air Connectivity: Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) has started preparations for direct Georgetown–Cayenne flights after a new Guyana–France Air Services Agreement signed on Sept. 30, replacing the 1976 framework; TGA says it aims for at least two nonstop services per week, pending approvals, cutting a trip that can take up to 24 hours by land and transit down to about 1h15. Regional Digital Infrastructure: EllaLink officially launched its Caribbean Gateway initiative at CTU ICT Week 2026 in Cayenne, proposing a new submarine fibre link from Cayenne to Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western segment for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire; the project moves into committed investment with a target to be ready for service by end-2029. Space & Science (Kourou link): The China–Europe SMILE satellite mission, launched from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, has entered science operations after an in-orbit commissioning review, releasing its first batch of aurora and other observation data. Local Governance: CARICOM mourned the death of French Guiana Territorial Collectivity president Gabriel Serville, who died Sept. 30 at Cayenne University Hospital and had pushed for greater autonomy and regional integration, including French Guiana’s associate membership in CARICOM.

Subsea Connectivity Boost: EllaLink officially launched its EllaLink Caribbean Gateway (ECG) initiative, a new fibre-optic submarine cable starting in Cayenne, French Guiana, linking Martinique and Guadeloupe, with a western leg for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire; the project now moves from design to committed investment, with EllaLink aiming for service by end-2029 after turning letters of intent into firm commitments and closing financing. Aviation Links to Cayenne: A renewed Guyana–France Air Services Agreement signed Sept. 30 is paving the way for Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) to start at least two weekly nonstop Georgetown–Cayenne flights, cutting travel time from up to 24 hours by surface routes to about 1 hour 15 minutes, pending approvals. Regional Leadership Loss: CARICOM mourned the death of French Guiana’s Territorial Collectivity president Gabriel Serville, who helped drive French Guiana’s move toward CARICOM associate membership. Spaceport Expansion: PLD Space and CNES signed an agreement to assess adding a second launch pad at Kourou’s ELM-Diamant complex to support PLD Space’s MIURA 5 and MIURA 9 vehicles.

Aviation & Connectivity: Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) is moving toward at least two weekly nonstop flights between Georgetown and Cayenne after Guyana and France signed a modernised Air Services Agreement in Georgetown on Sept. 30, replacing the 1976 framework. TGA says it has started the administrative and regulatory work, with the route still subject to operating approvals. Travel Impact: The airline expects the flight to cut the trip to about 1 hour 15 minutes, versus surface connections that can take up to 24 hours and often involve transiting Suriname. Regional Links: The new pact is also framed as a boost for tourism, business travel, trade, and movement of people and goods across the Guiana Shield. Space & Industry: In Kourou, PLD Space and CNES agreed to expand launch infrastructure at the Guiana Space Centre, including assessing a second pad for MIURA 5/9 operations. Telecoms: EllaLink formally launched its Caribbean Gateway initiative at CTU ICT Week in Cayenne, advancing a new open-access submarine cable linking Cayenne with Martinique and Guadeloupe, plus a western leg to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, targeted for service by end-2029.

Aviation & Connectivity: Guyana and France have renewed their Air Services Agreement after 50 years, opening the door to direct flights to French Guiana—especially a potential non-stop Georgetown–Cayenne link by Trans-Guyana Airways, which says it’s already started the administrative steps and is aiming for at least two weekly flights (subject to approvals) that could cut a trip that can take up to 24 hours down to about 1 hour 15 minutes. Regional Politics: CARICOM mourned the death of French Guiana’s Territorial Collectivity president Gabriel Serville, who pushed for greater autonomy and helped French Guiana become an associate CARICOM member. Space & Industry: PLD Space and CNES have partnered to expand launch infrastructure at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, including assessing a second pad for PLD’s MIURA rockets. Telecoms: EllaLink has formally launched its Caribbean Gateway initiative from Cayenne, planning an open-access submarine cable to Martinique/Guadeloupe and onward to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, targeting service by end-2029.