AGP Executive Report

Space & Industry in French Guiana: PLD Space says it will invest €35m in its Guiana Space Centre launch complex in Kourou (2025–2026), with €22m staying in France and €13m earmarked for 20+ local firms in French Guiana, aiming to boost Europe’s sovereign orbital access. Regional Connectivity: LIAT Air and Air Caraïbes signed an interline agreement to let passengers book one ticket across the Caribbean and onward to Paris Orly, with through-checked luggage to cut connection friction for routes that include French Guiana. Trade & Ports Watch: France is pushing Guyana to fast-track a deepwater port, arguing it will unlock European trade—while local observers warn Guyana should scrutinize who benefits most, given the connectivity gap is also a cost driver for imports and exports. Aviation/Logistics Context: ESA and China’s SMILE magnetosphere mission launched from Kourou, but officials signaled parallel rather than deeper future cooperation despite shared scientific goals. Social & Legal Reckoning (France): France’s National Assembly voted unanimously to repeal the slavery-era Code Noir, a symbolic step after the law lingered on the books for nearly two centuries.

Space & Industry in French Guiana: PLD Space says it will invest €35m in its orbital launch complex at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou (2025-2026), with €22m staying in France and €13m earmarked for 20+ local firms in French Guiana—aimed at boosting Europe’s sovereign access to space and supporting jobs during construction and recurring launches. Aviation Connectivity: LIAT Air and Air Caraïbes signed an interline agreement to let passengers book both airlines on one ticket, check luggage through to the final destination, and connect across the Eastern Caribbean, Guyana, and French Guiana toward Paris Orly. Trade & Ports: France urged Guyana to fast-track a planned deepwater port, arguing it’s key to overcoming connectivity limits and expanding European trade links. Local Business & Services: Novotel released its second Ocean Impact Report with WWF France, detailing progress on ocean-focused operations, sustainable food practices, and marine conservation ahead of World Ocean Day (8 June). Politics & Heritage: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously (254-0) to repeal the slavery-era Code Noir, a symbolic legal cleanup that lawmakers say still won’t replace deeper action on racism and inequality.

Space & Local Industry: PLD Space says it will invest €35m in its Guiana Space Centre launch complex in Kourou (2025–2026), with €22m staying in France and €13m earmarked for 20+ French Guiana firms, aiming to boost European sovereign access to orbit and support jobs during construction and future launches. Aviation Connectivity: LIAT Air and Air Caraïbes signed an interline agreement to let travelers book one ticket, check luggage through to the final destination, and connect across the Caribbean—linking also to French Guiana and onward to Paris Orly. Trade & Ports: France is urging Guyana to fast-track a planned deepwater port, arguing connectivity limits trade with Europe and highlighting the wider regional push to bring Caribbean territories closer. Guiana Sovereignty: President Macron reaffirmed France’s support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity amid the Essequibo dispute at the ICJ. Reckoning at Home: In France, lawmakers voted 254–0 to repeal the slavery-era Code Noir, a symbolic but long-awaited legal cleanup that activists say must be followed by deeper action. Oceans & Hospitality: Ahead of World Ocean Day, Novotel released its second Ocean Impact Report with WWF France, detailing progress on marine conservation, sustainable food, and ocean awareness across its hotel network.

Aviation & Connectivity: LIAT Air and Air Caraïbes struck an interline deal to let travelers book both airlines on one ticket, check luggage through to the final destination, and connect more easily across the English, French and Dutch-speaking Caribbean—linking also to Air Caraïbes long-haul service via Paris Orly, with Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana routes included. Space & Local Industry: PLD Space announced a €35 million investment to expand its Guiana Space Centre launch complex in Kourou, with €13 million earmarked for 20+ French Guiana companies, aiming to boost European sovereign access to orbit and support jobs during construction and recurring operations. French Guiana Security/Geopolitics: French President Macron reaffirmed France’s support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in a letter tied to the Essequibo dispute before the ICJ. Parliament & Colonial Law: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously to repeal the slavery-era Code Noir, a symbolic but historic step after the law had remained on the books for nearly two centuries.

Aviation & Connectivity: LIAT Air and Air Caraïbes have signed a new interline agreement to make Caribbean travel easier, letting passengers book both airlines on one ticket, check luggage through to the final destination, and connect across English, French and Dutch-speaking islands—plus onward links to Paris Orly, including Air Caraïbes services tied to French Guiana. Space & Local Industry: PLD Space says it will invest €35 million in its Guiana Space Centre launch complex at Kourou to boost European orbital access, with €22 million staying in the French industrial ecosystem and €13 million earmarked for 20+ French Guiana companies, aiming to support jobs during construction and future launch operations. Parliament & Colonial Reckoning: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the slavery-era Code Noir, a 1685 law that treated enslaved people as property—an important symbolic step as calls for deeper action on racism and inequality continue. Regional Diplomacy: Macron reaffirmed France’s support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity amid the Essequibo dispute at the ICJ, underscoring France’s legal and treaty-based stance.

Space & Industry in French Guiana: PLD Space says it will pour €35m into its Kourou launch-complex at the Guiana Space Centre, with €22m spent across France’s industrial network and €13m earmarked for 20+ local firms in French Guiana, aiming to boost European sovereign access to orbit and support hundreds of jobs during construction and future recurring launches. Politics & History: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously (254-0) to repeal the slavery-era Code Noir, a 1685 decree that treated enslaved people as property—an overdue legal cleanup that campaigners call symbolic, while calls for deeper action on racism and inequality continue. Regional Trade & Logistics: Brazil and Suriname will negotiate in the second half of the year to expand their trade deal beyond a narrow set of goods, with talks expected to cover new sectors and trade facilitation, alongside business meetings touching energy, logistics, transport, agriculture, and communications. Defense & Diplomacy: French President Macron reaffirmed support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in a letter tied to the Essequibo dispute at the ICJ, underscoring France’s commitment to international law.

Space & Industry in French Guiana: PLD Space says it will pour €35m into its Kourou launch complex for the MIURA 5 orbital launcher, with €22m executed in the French industrial ecosystem and €13m going to 20+ companies in French Guiana; the firm projects about €21m in local value added and 250–275 indirect/induced jobs during construction, plus 35 direct jobs for recurring launch operations. Regional Diplomacy: France’s Macron reaffirmed support for Guyana’s sovereignty as the Essequibo dispute continues at the ICJ, while PM Mark Phillips highlighted deepening Guyana–France ties during the 60th Independence celebrations. Trade & Logistics in the Guiana Shield: Brazil and Suriname will negotiate in the second half of the year to expand a limited trade deal, with talks covering energy, logistics, transport, agriculture, and communications. Policy Watch (France): France’s National Assembly voted 254–0 to repeal the Code Noir slavery-era law that treated people as property.

Space & Industry: Portugal is ramping up its space push with 2,000 workers across about 80 companies, €200M turnover, and a new spaceport on Santa Maria in the Azores—aiming for European launches by 2028 and a rocket launch plan for 2030. France–Guyana Diplomacy: Macron sent a formal letter reaffirming France’s full support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as the Essequibo dispute continues at the ICJ. Trade & Logistics in the Guianas: Brazil and Suriname will negotiate in the second half of the year to expand a trade deal beyond today’s limited, mostly Brazilian exports, with talks covering energy, logistics, transport, agriculture and communications. French Guiana in Space Launches: Amazon’s next batch of satellites has been shipped to French Guiana for Ariane 6 missions for Amazon Leo, including an upgrade for higher payload capacity. Local Security/Training: An Australian officer became the second to pass the French Foreign Legion’s Jaguar Course in French Guiana, highlighting the region’s role in jungle-warfare training. Parliament & History: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the Code Noir slavery law, removing a decree that treated enslaved people as property.

Space & Industry: Portugal is pushing a spaceport on the Azores (Santa Maria) with launches planned for 2030, aiming to turn local engineering talent into a bigger EU space business—plus reusable capsule-style returns. France–Guyana Diplomacy: President Macron sent a formal letter reaffirming France’s full support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as the Essequibo dispute continues at the ICJ. Regional Trade & Logistics: Brazil and Suriname will negotiate in the second half of the year to expand a trade deal beyond today’s narrow, mostly Brazilian exports, with talks covering energy, logistics, transport, agriculture and communications. French Guiana Aerospace (Amazon Leo): Amazon shipped more satellites to French Guiana for upcoming Ariane 6 missions, as it leans on multiple launch providers to keep up with production. Parliament & Law: France’s National Assembly voted 254–0 to repeal the slavery-era Code Noir, removing a 1685 decree that treated enslaved people as property. Defense Training in French Guiana: An Australian officer became the second to pass the French Foreign Legion’s Jaguar jungle-warfare course held in French Guiana.

Trade Talks: Brazil and Suriname will start negotiations in the second half of the year to expand their trade deal, aiming to move beyond a small, product-heavy flow (about $55M in 2025) and add new sectors, with talks covering energy, logistics, transport, agriculture and communications. Space & Launch Industry (French Guiana): Amazon has shipped the next batch of satellites to French Guiana for an Ariane 6 launch tied to Amazon Leo, as the company keeps adding rocket options to match satellite production growth; meanwhile, ESA’s SMILE mission (Vega-C from French Guiana) is already in the spotlight for studying space weather, with Teledyne Space Imaging supplying key soft X-ray sensors. Maritime & Local Operations: Berg Propulsion won a contract for propulsion and control systems for four powerful diesel-electric offshore support tugs headed for French Guiana, with deliveries expected through mid-2027. Defense/Regional Cooperation: Suriname’s president’s visit to Brazil is also set to produce defense, energy and security agreements alongside broader connectivity plans. Politics & Law: France’s parliament voted 254-0 to repeal the slavery-era Code Noir, a rare unanimity move that removes a colonial law that treated people as property.

Trade & Industry: Brazil and Suriname will start talks in the second half of the year to expand their trade agreement, aiming to grow beyond a small, product-heavy current flow (about $55M in 2025) and add new sectors, with a business program covering energy, logistics, transport, agriculture and communications. Energy & Resources: The same Suriname-Brazil push is tied to Suriname’s offshore oil and gas potential, with exploration expected to begin within two years and Petrobras know-how seen as a key advantage. Space & Local Economy (French Guiana): ESA’s SMILE mission launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana to study “space weather,” with Teledyne Space Imaging supplying soft X-ray sensors for the spacecraft’s imager—another signal that Guiana remains central to European high-tech launches. Maritime Engineering: Berg Propulsion won a contract to equip four diesel-electric offshore support tugs for Smit Lamnalco, with initial deployment planned for French Guiana. Policy & History (France): France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the Code Noir slavery law, a major legal cleanup after it stayed on the books for nearly two centuries.

Space & Industry in French Guiana: Amazon’s next batch of satellites has been shipped to French Guiana for upcoming Ariane 6 launches for Amazon’s Project Leo, with an upgrade aimed at higher payload capacity—another sign the region is becoming a key node for commercial space demand. EU Trade: EU and Mexico sealed an expanded free trade deal that goes beyond industrial goods to add services and farm produce, plus investment and contract-bidding access, framed as a geopolitical move amid tariff pressure. French Guiana-linked Heritage & Repatriation: France is advancing a Senate-approved plan to return remains of six Kalina people from Paris museums back to French Guiana for burial within a year. Parliament & Law Reform: France’s National Assembly voted 254-0 to repeal the slavery-era Code Noir, ending a law that treated people as property and had lingered on the books for nearly two centuries after abolition. Regional Security/Energy Diplomacy: Brazil and Suriname’s state visit is set to produce agreements spanning defense, energy, security and connectivity, with oil and gas prospects driving the agenda. Maritime Engineering: Berg Propulsion won a contract to supply propulsion and control systems for four powerful diesel-electric offshore support tugs intended for initial deployment in French Guiana. Space Science: The ESA-led SMILE mission launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana to study solar wind–Earth interactions, with imaging sensors supplied by Teledyne Space Imaging.

Space & Industry: Amazon shipped another batch of satellites to French Guiana for upcoming Ariane 6 launches for its Project Leo, as the company tries to secure rocket capacity after earlier delays and a shift away from “everyone but SpaceX.” Space Weather & Local Tech: ESA’s Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, with Teledyne CCD370 sensors supplying the soft X-ray imager to help track solar storms that can disrupt communications and power. Indigenous Rights & Repatriation: France’s Senate approved a bill to return remains of six Kalina people from colonial “human zoo” displays in Paris to French Guiana for burial within a year. Maritime & Construction: Berg Propulsion won a contract to equip four diesel-electric offshore support tugs for Smit Lamnalco, with initial deployment planned in French Guiana. Legal & History: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously to repeal the slavery-era Code Noir that treated humans as property. Local Enforcement: Courts rejected an appeal by the state in a case tied to illegal gold mining in French Guiana.

Slavery Law Reform: France is moving to repeal the colonial-era Code Noir (Black Code), a 1685 decree that treated enslaved people as “movable property,” allowing abuse and denying their testimony—lawmakers are expected to formally adopt the repeal. Indigenous Repatriation: France’s Senate has approved legislation to return the remains of six Kalina people from colonial-era “human zoo” displays in Paris to French Guiana for burial within a year. Space & Tech for Industry: ESA and China’s CAS launched the SMILE mission from Kourou, using soft X-ray imaging to study “space weather” that can disrupt satellites, communications, navigation, and power systems—Teledyne supplied CCD370 sensors for the Soft X-ray Imager. Local Court Ruling on Mining: The courts rejected an appeal by the state over illegal gold mining in French Guiana. Maritime Engineering: Berg Propulsion won a contract to supply propulsion and control systems for four diesel-electric offshore support tugs intended for initial deployment in French Guiana. Defense & Training Link: An Australian officer completed the French Foreign Legion’s Jaguar Course in French Guiana, highlighting the region’s role in advanced jungle-warfare training.

Space & Science: The ESA–China SMILE mission launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana aboard a Vega-C rocket, with Teledyne CCD370 sensors powering the Soft X-ray Imager to map how solar wind reshapes Earth’s magnetosphere—key for protecting satellites, communications, navigation, and power systems. Shipping & Industry: Berg Propulsion won a contract to equip four new diesel-electric offshore support tugs for Smit Lamnalco, with initial deployment planned for French Guiana and deliveries targeted by mid-2027. Mining & Courts: French authorities’ push against illegal gold mining in French Guiana continues after the courts rejected a state appeal. Indigenous Repatriation: France approved legislation to return remains of six Kalina people from colonial-era “human zoo” displays in Paris to French Guiana for burial. Agriculture & Biosecurity: A New Mexico screwworm preparedness update points back to French Guiana’s historical link to the pest’s discovery, underscoring the need for rapid reporting and protection of livestock and pets. Local Economy & Infrastructure: Spain’s PLD Space is preparing its MIURA 5 rocket launch from Kourou, signaling more private space activity tied to French Guiana’s spaceport.

Space & Tech from Kourou: The ESA–China SMILE mission launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on a Vega-C rocket, aiming to deliver the first continuous global X-ray and ultraviolet views of how solar wind reshapes Earth’s magnetic “shield,” with Teledyne CCD370 sensors at the heart of the Soft X-ray Imager. Aerospace Industry Pipeline: Spain’s PLD Space is preparing its MIURA 5 rocket launch from Kourou, a step toward independent European satellite launches. Maritime Engineering for French Guiana: Berg Propulsion won a contract to supply propulsion and control systems for four powerful diesel-electric offshore support tugs, intended for initial deployment in French Guiana, with delivery targeted from late 2026 through mid-2027. Local Justice & Resources: Courts rejected an appeal by the state in a case tied to illegal gold mining in French Guiana. Colonial Repatriation: France moves to return remains of six Indigenous Kalina people from colonial-era “human zoo” displays in Paris to French Guiana after Senate approval. Security & Training (Regional Link): An Australian officer became the second to pass the French Foreign Legion’s Jaguar Course held in French Guiana.