AGP Executive Report

Arts & Culture Birthdays: July 27 celebrates a Leo lineup across TV, film, music, and sport, including TV producer Norman Lear, actor Jerry Van Dyke, musician Bobbie Gentry, actor/filmmaker Betty Thomas, figure skater Peggy Fleming, comedian Bill Engvall, actor Donnie Yen, and actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. Global Travel & Storytelling: In a spotlight on ambition and culture, Jaime Alemán—described as the first man to visit all 193 UN member states plus observer states and independent territories—shares how his journeys continued from polar regions to a Blue Origin spaceflight, and now turns to a new mission: telling his story through his book The Grand Slam of Travel.

Arts & Culture Spotlight: Jaime Alemán, the first man to visit all 193 UN member states plus observer states and independent territories, is now turning his globe-trotting into a story for readers. The Panamanian lawyer and diplomat says his journey kept expanding after his 2020 “grand slam,” including trips to the polar regions in 2024 and a Blue Origin NS-32 flight on May 31, 2025, where he describes reaching the Kármán line as a deeply emotional milestone. Literature & Public Life: Alemán is also known for signing a decree that removed General Manuel Antonio Noriega as head of Panama’s Defense Forces, and he’s using his new book, The Grand Slam of Travel: 193 Countries + North…, to frame both the adventure and the legacy behind it.

Peacebuilding Week at the UN: The UN marked its first-ever Peacebuilding Week in New York, with São Tomé and Príncipe among countries submitting national prevention strategies to the Peacebuilding Commission—pushing peacebuilding as a prevention-first, partnership-driven effort. Presidential vote in São Tomé and Príncipe: Elections were reported running normally despite isolated neighborhood protests that suspended voting in two localities; 142,674 voters were called to the polls, with President Carlos Vila Nova (independent) and other candidates already voting, while officials stressed that boycotts won’t solve local problems. CPLP cooperation focus: On the CPLP’s 30th anniversary, Executive Secretary Fátima Jardim highlighted strengthening ties among Portuguese-speaking countries as a key challenge ahead, pointing to three decades of dialogue and cooperation that began with São Tomé and Príncipe in 1996. Global travel spotlight: Jaime Alemán, famed for visiting all 193 UN member states plus polar regions and outer space, shared his story and new mission through a book on his “Grand Slam of Travel.”

Elections & Civic Life: São Tomé and Príncipe’s presidential vote moved ahead normally on Sunday, with voting suspended only in two localities after neighborhood protests, while 142,674 voters across the islands and the diaspora went to the polls; incumbent Carlos Vila Nova, running as an independent, urged citizens not to boycott and framed participation as the best way to address local problems. Regional Cooperation: The CPLP marked its 30th anniversary by stressing deeper cooperation among Portuguese-speaking countries to tackle global challenges, with Executive Secretary Fátima Jardim pointing to 1996’s founding by Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, and São Tomé and Príncipe, plus later expansions like Timor-Leste and Equatorial Guinea. Travel & Storytelling: Panamanian adventurer Jaime Alemán—first to visit all 193 UN member states, polar regions, and outer space—promotes his new book, “The Grand Slam of Travel,” after a post-pandemic run that included a Blue Origin flight.

Presidential Elections: Voting in São Tomé and Príncipe’s presidential race is moving ahead normally, with officials reporting only isolated disruptions—two localities saw polling suspended after neighborhood protests. A total of 142,674 voters are eligible, and the four candidates have already voted, including incumbent Carlos Vila Nova, who defended the country’s “high democratic culture” and urged citizens not to boycott. CPLP Anniversary: The Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) marked its 30th anniversary, with Executive Secretary Fátima Jardim saying the next decades should focus on strengthening cooperation to tackle global challenges. She recalled the CPLP’s 1996 creation by Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, and São Tomé and Príncipe, and noted its growth through new members like Timor-Leste and Equatorial Guinea. Global Arts & Travel Spotlight: Panamanian adventurer Jaime Alemán—the first Latin American to visit all 193 UN member states plus observer states—shared plans to tell his story in a new book, after earlier polar and space travel.

Presidential Elections Watch: São Tomé and Príncipe’s presidential vote is moving forward normally, with officials reporting only limited disruptions after neighborhood protests led to the suspension of voting in two localities; 142,674 voters are registered, and incumbent Carlos Vila Nova—running as an independent—cast his ballot while urging citizens not to boycott. CPLP Anniversary & Arts-Friendly Diplomacy: The Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) marked its 30th anniversary with a renewed focus on strengthening cooperation among member states, with Executive Secretary Fátima Jardim pointing to the group’s growth since 1996 and its role as a space for dialogue and cultural ties across the Portuguese-speaking world. Global Travel Spotlight: Panama-born adventurer Jaime Alemán—first Latin American to visit all 193 UN member states plus observer states—shared his latest push to tell his story after completing a remarkable journey that also included a Blue Origin spaceflight.

Space & Travel Memoir: Panama’s Jaime Alemán—first Latin American to visit all 193 UN member states plus observer states, and later the polar regions—now shares his next mission: telling his story in a new book, after earlier milestones including a 2024 polar trip and a 2025 Blue Origin flight beyond the Kármán line. Democracy & Community Life: São Tomé and Príncipe’s presidential election is moving ahead normally, with voting suspended only in two localities after neighborhood protests; 142,674 voters are choosing among four candidates, while officials stress that boycotts won’t solve local problems. CPLP at 30: The Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries marks its 30th anniversary, spotlighting cooperation across education, culture, trade, health, maritime security, and mobility—framing Portuguese language ties as a bridge for stronger regional and global partnerships.

Space & Travel Memoir: Jaime Alemán, the first Latin American to visit all 193 UN member states plus observer territories, is now sharing his story after a 2025 Blue Origin trip that took him past the Kármán line. Democracy in Focus: São Tomé and Príncipe’s presidential election is moving forward normally, with 142,674 voters and four candidates, though voting was suspended in two localities after neighborhood protests. CPLP at 30: The Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries marks its 30th anniversary, with leaders stressing deeper cooperation and cultural ties—highlighting São Tomé and Príncipe’s role since the 1996 founding. Regional Energy Watch: Iraq’s push for new oil export pipelines via Syria or Turkey continues amid recent port incidents near Basra, as studies and agreements move forward.

Presidential Vote Watch: São Tomé and Príncipe’s presidential election is moving ahead normally, with voting suspended only in two localities after neighborhood protests; 142,674 voters are on the roll and all four candidates have already voted, including incumbent Carlos Vila Nova, who urged citizens not to boycott polling. CPLP at 30: The Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries marks its 30th anniversary, with leaders stressing deeper cooperation across education, culture, health, maritime security, and stronger ties among member states including São Tomé and Príncipe. AFRIMMA Returns: The African Muzik Magazine Awards has unveiled its 2026 nominees after a two-year break, with Davido leading the pack with five nominations, followed by Burna Boy, Black Sherif, and Diamond Platnumz, as the continent’s music scene gears up for the ceremony. Global Travel Spotlight: Panama’s Jaime Alemán—first to visit all 193 UN member states plus observer states and to reach the polar regions and space—shares his story and new book plans, adding another chapter to his “grand slam” of travel.

Elections Watch: São Tomé and Príncipe’s presidential vote is moving ahead normally, with 142,674 registered voters heading to the polls despite voting being suspended in two localities after neighborhood protests; President Carlos Vila Nova, running as an independent, cast his ballot and urged citizens not to boycott. CPLP at 30: The Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries marks its 30th anniversary, with Executive Secretary Fátima Jardim stressing deeper cooperation among member states as the key task ahead, from dialogue and cultural exchange to education, public health, maritime security, and mobility. Music Spotlight (AFRIMMA 2026): AFRIMMA has unveiled its 2026 nominees after a two-year pause, with Davido leading the pack with five nominations, followed by Burna Boy, Black Sherif, and Diamond Platnumz with four each, while Tyla tops the female contenders with three and Tems earns two. Global Travel & Books: Panamanian explorer Jaime Alemán—first to visit all 193 UN member states plus polar regions and outer space—shares his story through a new book, after a run that included a Blue Origin spaceflight.

Elections Watch: São Tomé and Príncipe’s presidential vote is moving forward normally this Sunday, with voting suspended only in two localities after neighborhood protests; 142,674 voters are on the roll, and all four candidates have already voted, including President Carlos Vila Nova, who urged people not to boycott. Sports & Culture: The Judo Global of São Tomé and Príncipe marked Independence Day with a 2026 Independence Open on July 11, running events on both São Tomé and Príncipe and spotlighting new athletes from the Ponta do Sol Judo School. Music Spotlight: AFRIMMA returns after a two-year break with nominees unveiled for 2026; Davido leads with five nominations, followed by Burna Boy, Black Sherif, and Diamond Platnumz with four each, while Tyla tops the female field with three and Tems has two; the awards and festival are set for September 12 in Dallas, Texas. Regional Arts Diplomacy: The CPLP marked its 30th anniversary, stressing cooperation and cultural ties among Portuguese-speaking countries, including São Tomé and Príncipe.

Elections Watch: São Tomé and Príncipe’s presidential vote is moving ahead normally on Sunday, with voting suspended only in two localities after neighborhood protests; 142,674 voters are on the roll, and President Carlos Vila Nova—running as an independent—has already cast his ballot while urging people not to boycott. CPLP at 30: The Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries marks its 30th anniversary, with CPLP Executive Secretary Fátima Jardim stressing deeper cooperation among member states to tackle global challenges, from cultural exchange to education, health, and maritime security. Music Spotlight (AFRIMMA): AFRIMMA returns after a two-year break with nominees unveiled—Davido leads with five nods, followed by Burna Boy, Black Sherif, and Diamond Platnumz (four each); the awards and festival are set for Sept 12 in Dallas, with fashion and food vendors promised. Sports & Culture (Judo): The Judo Global of São Tomé and Príncipe marked Independence Day with a 2026 Independence Open, held on both islands at the same time, spotlighting new athletes from the Ponta do Sol Judo School on Príncipe.

Presidential Vote Watch: São Tomé and Príncipe’s presidential election is moving ahead normally this Sunday, with voting suspended only in two localities after neighborhood protests, while 142,674 voters choose among four candidates, including incumbent Carlos Vila Nova, who urged people not to boycott. CPLP at 30: The Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries marked its 30th anniversary, with CPLP Executive Secretary Fátima Jardim stressing deeper cooperation among member states across politics, culture, education, health, and development. AFRIMMA Returns: African Muzik Magazine Awards unveiled its 2026 nominees after a two-year break, led by Davido with five nods; Burna Boy, Black Sherif and Diamond Platnumz follow with four each, and the event is set for Sept. 12 in Dallas with a new music festival plus fashion and food showcases. Independence Through Judo: The Judo Global of São Tomé and Príncipe held an Independence Open across both islands, bringing together judoka from São Tomé and Príncipe and spotlighting new participation from the Ponta do Sol Judo School on Príncipe.

Presidential vote watch: São Tomé and Príncipe’s presidential election is moving ahead normally this Sunday, with voting suspended only in two localities after neighborhood protests, while 142,674 voters choose among four candidates, including incumbent Carlos Vila Nova. CPLP at 30: The Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries marks its 30th anniversary, with leaders stressing deeper cooperation and cultural ties across member states, including São Tomé and Príncipe. Independence through sport: The Judo Global of São Tomé and Príncipe marked Independence Day with a 2026 Independence Open, bringing judoka from both islands together and spotlighting youth access to training. AFRIMMA returns with a music festival: AFRIMMA unveiled its 2026 nominees after a two-year break, led by Davido with five nods, and confirmed the awards will be paired with a first-ever AFRIMMA music festival in Dallas on September 12, 2026.

Democratic Process: São Tomé and Príncipe’s presidential election is moving ahead normally this Sunday, with voting suspended only in two localities after neighborhood protests, while 142,674 voters choose among four candidates, including incumbent Carlos Vila Nova, who urged citizens not to boycott. CPLP at 30: The Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries marks its 30th anniversary, with leaders stressing deeper cooperation across education, culture, public health, maritime security, and development among member states including São Tomé and Príncipe. Music Spotlight (AFRIMMA): AFRIMMA returns after a two-year break with nominees unveiled—Davido leads with five nods, followed by Burna Boy, Black Sherif, and Diamond Platnumz (four each), plus Tyla and Tems among the standouts; the awards and festival are set for September 12 in Dallas. Sports & Culture (Judo): The Judo Global of São Tomé and Príncipe celebrated Independence Day with a 2026 Independence Open, bringing judoka from both islands together and highlighting judo’s growth in local communities.

Presidential Elections Watch: Voting in São Tomé and Príncipe is moving ahead normally this Sunday, with 142,674 registered voters choosing among four candidates, even as polling was suspended in two localities after neighborhood protests; President Carlos Vila Nova has already voted and urged citizens not to boycott. CPLP at 30: The Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries marks its 30th anniversary, with leaders stressing deeper cooperation and cultural ties across Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste. Music Spotlight (AFRIMMA 2026): AFRIMMA returns after a two-year break with Davido leading the nominations (five), followed by Burna Boy, Black Sherif and Diamond Platnumz (four each), plus Tyla and Tems among the top female and other contenders; the awards and festival are set for September 12 in Dallas. Sports & Culture (Judo): São Tomé and Príncipe’s Judo Global marked Independence Day with a nationwide Independence Open, bringing athletes from both islands together and highlighting youth access to sport.