AGP Executive Report

Slavery Law Repeal: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the Code Noir, the 1685 “Black Code” that legalized slavery across the empire, with the bill now heading to the Senate. Colonial Reckoning: The repeal comes as France confronts how the decree’s rules—turning enslaved people into “movable property,” enabling violence and denying their testimony—kept lingering in law long after abolition. Indigenous Repatriation: France’s Senate approved returning remains of six Kalina people from colonial-era “human zoo” displays in Paris to French Guiana for burial within a year. Taubira Law Anniversary: Ahead of commemorations, MPs back formal repeal of slavery-era legal texts, while President Macron links education and research to confronting the past—stopping short of concrete reparations plans. Guyana-France Ties: At Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee reception, Prime Minister Mark Phillips praised enduring Guyana-France friendship, with remarks delivered aboard a French patrol vessel. Wellness Travel: Travel and Tour World released a 2026 ranking of the Americas’ and Caribbean’s top wellness tourism destinations, highlighting shorter, nature-focused trips.

Indigenous Repatriation: France’s Senate has unanimously approved a law to return the remains of six Kalina people from colonial-era “human zoo” displays in Paris to French Guiana for burial within a year, marking a major step in confronting ethnographic abuses. Historical Reckoning: President Macron used the word “reparations” while addressing France’s legacy of slavery, pairing it with education and research commitments but avoiding concrete financial proposals. Local Heritage & Memory: France is also moving to repeal the “Code Noir” slavery decrees, with Taubira Law anniversary commemorations planned across France and overseas territories. Culture & Community: A Guyana-France Diamond Jubilee reception highlighted enduring ties and people-centred development themes, with French Guiana’s military leadership present. Public Health & Environment: New Mexico launched a screwworm preparedness site, noting the fly was first described by a French entomologist after cases linked to Devil’s Island in French Guiana. Sports Pulse: Guyanese athletes turned Independence celebrations into a showcase, including Brighton John’s top finish in the Grand Prix Cycliste de l’Ouest time trial.

Indigenous Repatriation: France’s Senate has unanimously approved a law to return the remains of six Kalina people from colonial-era “human zoo” exhibitions in Paris to French Guiana for burial within a year, following decades of advocacy and renewed attention to how colonized people—often children—were displayed and dehumanized. Historical Reckoning: Marking the Taubira Law anniversary, French MPs move to repeal the “Code Noir” from French law, while President Macron has also said reparations for France’s role in slavery must be addressed—without making false promises or spelling out financial terms. Guyana–France Ties: Guyana’s Prime Minister praised the evolving, more strategic Guyana-France partnership during Diamond Jubilee celebrations aboard the French patrol vessel La Résolue. Public Health & Heritage: A New Mexico preparedness update recalls that the New World screwworm was first described by a French entomologist after cases on Devil’s Island in French Guiana, as a new state website shares how to identify and report infestations. Culture & Lifestyle: A gardening feature argues for growing heirlooms to preserve genetic diversity and enjoy richer variety—like tomatoes that can thrive in both hot and cooler weather.

Guyana–France ties: Prime Minister Mark Phillips praised a “stronger and more strategic” Guyana–France partnership at a Diamond Jubilee reception aboard the patrol vessel La Résolue, framing independence as an ongoing journey built on resilience, unity, innovation, and people-centred development. Reckoning with colonial harm: France is moving to return the remains of six Kalina people displayed in Paris’s colonial “human zoos,” with a Senate-approved law enabling repatriation to French Guiana within a year. Slavery legacy debate: Macron says reparations for France’s role in the slave trade must be addressed, but he avoided concrete proposals—while MPs also back formally repealing the “Code Noir.” Health & preparedness: A New Mexico state site was launched to help people spot and report possible New World screwworm, a reminder that even rare threats can demand readiness. Wellness travel buzz: TTW released a 2026 ranking of the Americas’ and Caribbean’s top wellness destinations, spotlighting shorter, nature-focused trips.

Guyana–France ties: Prime Minister Mark Phillips praised a “continuing journey” of Guyana’s independence at a Diamond Jubilee reception aboard the French patrol vessel La Résolue, framing the relationship as evolving into a stronger, more strategic partnership. Colonial reckoning: France moved to return the remains of six Kalina Indigenous people—killed after being displayed in Paris’s colonial “human zoos”—with the French Senate unanimously backing a repatriation law to send them home to French Guiana. Slavery legacy debate: Macron said France must address reparations for its role in the slave trade, breaking a taboo by using the word, while stressing no “false promises” and pointing to joint research with Ghana. Health & preparedness: A New Mexico state site was launched to help people and vets spot and report New World screwworm, a reminder that even old French Guiana-era descriptions still shape modern risk planning. Wellness travel: TTW ranked the Americas and Caribbean’s top wellness destinations for 2026, betting on shorter, nature-led, sustainable trips.

Guyana–France Partnership: At Guyana’s 60th Independence Diamond Jubilee reception aboard the patrol vessel La Résolue, Prime Minister Mark Phillips praised a friendship that’s grown into a “stronger and more strategic” partnership, with Guyana’s people-centred push spanning education, healthcare, energy, agriculture, and infrastructure. Colonial Reckoning: France is moving to return the remains of six Kalina Indigenous people—killed after being displayed in Paris’s colonial “human zoos”—after a Senate-backed law clears the way for repatriation to French Guiana. Slavery Legacy Debate: Separately, President Macron said reparations for France’s role in slavery must be addressed, but he offered no concrete plan, stressing honesty and the limits of “fully” repairing the crime. Health & Preparedness: New Mexico launched a state site to prepare for possible New World screwworm, a reminder that even distant outbreaks can shape planning. Wellness Travel: A new 2026 ranking spotlights wellness tourism across the Americas and Caribbean, reflecting demand for shorter, nature-led, more sustainable getaways.

Wellness Travel Boom: Travel and Tour World just released its 2026 ranking of the Top 30 Wellness Tourism Destinations across the Americas and Caribbean, spotlighting luxury-meets-sustainability retreats and shorter, nature-focused getaways as travelers rethink long-haul costs and geopolitical stress. Repatriation Push: France is moving to return the remains of six Kalina people from colonial-era “human zoo” displays in Paris to French Guiana, after a Senate-approved law clears the way for burial at home within a year. Colonial Reckoning: Macron is publicly raising the taboo word “reparations” while stopping short of concrete plans, as France also moves to repeal the “Code Noir” and confront slavery’s legal legacy. AI in Everyday Life: A new global map shows AI use surging—UAE and Singapore lead by far—while much of Europe sits high, including France. Health Preparedness: New Mexico launched a state site to prepare for possible New World screwworm, a reminder that even rare threats can demand fast public readiness.

Wellness Travel Boom: Travel and Tour World just published its 2026 ranking of the Americas and Caribbean’s top 30 wellness destinations, spotlighting shorter, nature-led getaways and “wellbeing-first” trips as travelers rethink long-haul costs and stress. Repatriation Reckoning: France is moving to return the remains of six Kalina people—killed after being displayed in a colonial “human zoo” in Paris—to French Guiana, with a Senate-approved law enabling burial at home within a year. Slavery Legacy in Law: Ahead of the Taubira Law anniversary, France’s MPs backed a bill to repeal the old “Code Noir,” while Macron said reparations for slavery’s legacy must be addressed—without promising a specific financial fix. Soil Under Pressure: A global soil-degradation push continues to gain momentum, with UNESCO warning that most of the world’s soil could be degraded by 2050. AI Adoption Map: A new 2026 snapshot shows the UAE and Singapore leading everyday AI use, while parts of Europe—including France—sit high on the list.

Wellness Travel Boom: Travel and Tour World just released its 2026 ranking of the Top 30 Wellness Tourism Destinations across the Americas and Caribbean, spotlighting luxury-meets-sustainability getaways and a shift toward shorter, nature-led retreats as travelers rethink long-haul costs and uncertainty. Repatriation & Colonial Reckoning: France is moving to return the remains of six Kalina people—died after being displayed in a Paris “human zoo” over 130 years ago—to French Guiana, with a Senate-approved law enabling burial at home within a year. Slavery Legacy in Law & Politics: France marks the Taubira Law anniversary while MPs push to formally repeal the “Code Noir,” and President Macron has now used the word “reparations,” though without spelling out financial plans. Demographic Pressure: A global “baby bust” story keeps widening, with fertility rates falling below replacement across most countries. AI in Everyday Life: A new map shows AI use surging in smaller economies—UAE and Singapore lead—while parts of Europe also rank high. Soil Under Threat: A Suriname/Guyana/French Guiana-linked soil campaign highlights how fast degradation is pushing people into action.

Repatriation Push: France’s Senate has unanimously approved a law to return the remains of six Kalina people to French Guiana—remains taken from the territory and displayed in Paris’s colonial “human zoo” more than 130 years ago, after children and teenagers were exhibited and some later died. Historical Reckoning: In parallel, President Macron used the word “reparations” while discussing France’s legacy of slavery, insisting dialogue must be honest even if “full repair” is impossible, and pointing to a France–Ghana research project for recommendations. Legal Cleanup: MPs are also moving to formally repeal the “Code Noir,” the old decrees that regulated slavery in French colonies, even though they’ve long stopped being applied. Regional Echo: The same French Guiana link keeps showing up—Taubira Law commemorations and today’s repatriation both tie national policy to the territory’s history. Elsewhere, Watchpoints: A New Mexico screwworm preparedness update oddly nods back to Devil’s Island cases in French Guiana, while a global demographic crisis story and an AI adoption map round out the week’s broader context.

Repatriation Push: France’s Senate has unanimously approved a law to return the remains of six Kalina people to French Guiana, after they were displayed in Paris’s colonial “human zoo” more than 130 years ago—an effort to finally undo a practice that treated Indigenous people, including children and teenagers, as curiosities. Colonial Reckoning: The bill would let the remains go home within a year, after decades in museum collections where bodies were later exhumed for “scientific study,” with lawmakers calling it a direct restoration of dignity. Legacy of Slavery: In the same wider reckoning, France is also moving to repeal the “Code Noir” and Macron has said reparations for slavery’s legacy must be addressed—though he offered no clear plan. Health & Preparedness: Separate from history, New Mexico launched a public site to prepare for possible New World screwworm threats, linking even today’s biosecurity to French Guiana’s past medical observations.

Indigenous Repatriation: France has moved to return the remains of six Kalina people to French Guiana after they were displayed in a colonial “human zoo” in Paris over 130 years ago; the French Senate unanimously approved a law allowing repatriation within a year, ending a long museum hold that followed the 1892 arrival of Kalina and Arawak people at the Jardin d’Acclimatation—where many, including children and teenagers, were later exhumed for “scientific study.” Colonial Reckoning: The repatriation lands alongside France’s broader push to confront slavery’s legacy, with lawmakers backing repeal of the “Code Noir” and President Macron using the word “reparations” while stopping short of concrete plans. Public Health Preparedness: New Mexico launched a state-run hub to prepare for possible New World screwworm spread, a reminder that even old French Guiana medical history can resurface in modern risk planning.

New Mexico screwworm alert system: New Mexico just launched a state-run website to help people and vets spot and report the New World screwworm—an old, brutal parasite first described by a French doctor after cases in Devil’s Island, including French Guiana—so the state can move fast if it ever shows up. Demography pressure everywhere: A global “baby bust” is no longer just about Russia; fertility rates are now below replacement across most countries, with Europe and Ukraine among the hardest hit. France faces slavery’s legal and moral legacy: MPs backed repealing the “Code Noir,” while Macron used the word “reparations” for France’s role in enslavement—without promising specifics—alongside education and research plans. Ukraine support debate in NATO: Rutte and Sweden’s leader Kristersson urged more consistent funding from NATO members. Culture & care, from soil to seeds: A soil-degradation campaign continues to draw new volunteers, and gardening writers push heirlooms to preserve genetic diversity.

Demography Shock: A new global “baby bust” is spreading beyond Russia—fertility rates are now below replacement across most of the world, with Europe’s collapse accelerating as wars and aging hollow out key age groups. Reparations Debate: France marks the Taubira Law anniversary while MPs back repealing the old “Code Noir,” and President Macron has finally used the word “reparations”—without promising a specific financial plan—calling for honest dialogue and research with Ghana. Ukraine Pressure: NATO leaders Rutte and Kristersson say many allies aren’t funding Ukraine enough, urging more countries to “put the money where the mouth is.” AI in Everyday Life: A new map shows AI use surging—UAE and Singapore lead, while the U.S. lags in everyday adoption despite leading AI development. Culture & Care: A soil-activist journey links climate anxiety to action, with volunteers campaigning from Europe to Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana.

Ukraine Support Pressure: NATO’s leaders, including Sweden’s Kristersson and Jens Stoltenberg’s successor Mark Rutte, are calling out allies that “aren’t spending enough” to back Ukraine—arguing support is led by a small group while many others fall short. Slave-Trade Reparations Debate: In France, President Macron faces mounting pressure to open a formal discussion on reparatory justice for slavery, as he marks 25 years since France recognized the slave trade and slavery as crimes against humanity—an issue that’s especially charged for French Guiana’s political figures. AI in Everyday Life: A new 2026 map shows AI use is surging worldwide: the UAE leads at 70% of working-age adults, Singapore follows at 63%, and Europe dominates much of the top adoption list. Soil Activism Reaches French Guiana: A volunteer’s “Save Soil” journey—spurred by UNESCO warnings that most global soil could be degraded by 2050—includes stops in Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana. Art & Time Through Plants: A Dubai exhibition, “Time That Grows Slowly,” links ecological rhythms to how we experience time, featuring artist Tabita Rezaire (France/French Guiana).

AI Adoption Watch: A new 2026 map shows AI use is surging in everyday life: the UAE leads with 70% of working-age adults using AI regularly, Singapore follows at 63%, and the U.S. sits surprisingly outside the top 20 despite leading AI development. Soil & Survival Movement: In a personal push that took her across Europe and into Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana, a Dutch volunteer says she went “100%” after seeing how fast soil degradation could reach crisis levels by 2050. Gardens for the Future: A practical gardening piece argues for mixing heirlooms with hybrids—keeping genetic diversity while hedging against changing weather. Travel Signals: U.S. officials’ Level 1 safety picks for South America highlight Argentina as a relatively stable summer option, with the main risk framed as pickpockets. Faith in the City: A Left Bank pilgrimage story returns to Rue du Bac and the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, tied to Catherine Labouré. Art Dubai, Slow Time: Dom Art Projects’ show in Dubai links time to vegetal rhythms, with French Guiana artist Tabita Rezaire among the lineup. Blue Lock Goes Live: Kodansha and Concacaf launch a U.S. online “Diamonds in the Rough” competition for soccer fans to show off their “ego” and style.