AGP Executive Report

Aruba Culture & Heritage: Monumentsfund Aruba has kicked off the second phase of the Cas Debrot restoration at Caya Betico Croes 98, with Hoevertsz ArchiDesign leading the work and a target completion in early 2027, turning the protected monument into a new home for the foundation’s office and rentals below. Local Arts & Community: The University of Aruba welcomed new master’s students at its Master’s Table, focusing on connection and belonging across programs. Kids & Health Awareness: DVG launched the “Responsible Owner” School Art Competition for grades 1–6, with winning paintings set to become class gifts and even a future mural. Sports & Youth: The Ministry of Sports switched on new lighting at the RCA soccer field, giving young players a brighter future. Music & Identity: Stichting ASamBeHo Aruba unveiled its new logo to preserve and pass on Aruba’s musical heritage. Events to Watch: Autentico Pavilion 2026 tickets are now on sale, and Culture Week runs Sept. 19–26 with free workshops aimed at “train the trainers.” Entertainment Beyond Aruba: Aruba is also set to host Caribbean Poker Series Aruba, with major guarantees and live reporting planned.

Caribbean Poker in Aruba: RunGood Poker Series teams up with the Caribbean Poker Series for a week of island action, Sept 17–23, with $175,000 in guarantees and PokerNews live coverage of the $400 RunGood in Aruba Ring Event NLH. Heritage Restoration: The second phase of restoring Cas Debrot at Caya Betico Croes 98 has started, with completion targeted for early 2027 and the Aruba Monuments Foundation set to move in. Sports & Community: New lighting was inaugurated at the RCA soccer field as part of Aruba’s field-improvement push. Culture Week Countdown: Aruba’s Culture Week runs Sept 19–26 with free workshops (dance, theater, singing, crafts, local culinary arts) at San Nicolas School of Art, plus visiting folklore experts. Photography Spotlight: “Lens di mi Wowonan” opens at the National Library in Playa (Sept 1) celebrating 18 years of Aruba’s photo and journalism community, with RBC as long-time sponsor. Music Heritage: Stichting ASamBeHo Aruba unveils a new logo and identity to preserve the island’s musical tradition. Justice Talks (Region): Aruba’s Justice Minister Arthur Dowers meets Curaçao’s governor during Four-Country justice consultations. Tech for Fans: HPE and Tottenham expand their partnership to modernize stadium tech and fan experiences.

Local Deals & Discovery: Aruba Discovery just launched its Deals & Coupons platform, bundling offers from restaurants, activities, wellness spots, shops and more—unlock online and redeem locally. Music Heritage: Stichting ASamBeHo Aruba unveiled a new logo and visual identity to keep Aruba’s musical legacy “living heritage.” Sports Upgrade: The Ministry of Sports inaugurated new lighting at the RCA soccer field, giving the club a brighter future for training and matches. Food Festival Tickets: Autentico Aruba Culinary Festival ticket sales are now open for The Pavilion in Oranjestad (Oct 10–11), with Restaurant Week running Oct 3–9. Fashion Spotlight: Aruba Fashion Week 2026 marks its 10-year milestone with “Winds of Fashion,” celebrating the island as part of the runway story. Culture Week Countdown: Aruba’s Cultural Heritage Safeguarding Foundation announced Culture Week (Sept 19–26) with free workshops and a “train the trainers” focus at San Nicolas School of Art. Photography & Journalism: “Lens di mi Wowonan” opens Sept 1 at the National Library, featuring 16 photographers and 200 sports-focused portraits, with RBC as long-time sponsor. Integrity in Government: Bureau for Integrity Aruba certified new Integrity Trust Persons and Internal Investigators, expanding support for public employees. Downtown Oranjestad: Demolition has started for Single One Residences at Caya Betico Croes 74, aiming to bring more life back to Main Street.

Aruba Culture Week Countdown: Aruba’s Cultural Heritage Safeguarding Foundation is gearing up for Culture Week (Sept 19–26) with free workshops and a “train the trainers” focus, plus guest folklore experts from Curaçao and Bonaire and a heritage dance highlight. Photography & Identity Spotlight: “Lens di mi Wowonan” opens Sept 1 at 7:00 p.m. at the National Library, celebrating 18 years of Aruban photography and journalism with 16 photographers and 200 sports-focused portraits, backed by RBC for 18 consecutive years. Fashion on Island Time: Aruba Fashion Week 2026 marks its 10-year milestone with “Winds of Fashion,” using the island’s scenery and multicultural mix as part of the runway story. Local Deals, Easier Plans: Aruba Discovery launched Deals & Coupons to help visitors find and redeem offers from restaurants, wellness, stores, sports venues and more—right in one place. Integrity in Action: Bureau for Integrity Aruba certified new Integrity Trust Persons and Internal Investigators, expanding support for employees who raise integrity concerns. Art Fashion 2026: Art Fashion returns with “Nature Meets Mankind,” featuring nine designers and a new venue for a more immersive fashion-art experience.

Stadium Tech & Fan Experience: HPE is expanding its long-running partnership with Tottenham Hotspur, upgrading Stadium tech for ticketless entry, cashless payments, mobile apps, digital wayfinding, and high-density connectivity. Aruba Fashion Week 2026: The island’s runway celebration marks its 10-year milestone, with Aruba itself taking center stage in a destination-driven “Winds of Fashion” showcase. Local Deals: Aruba Discovery launched a Deals & Coupons section to help visitors find and redeem offers from restaurants, activities, wellness, stores, and sports venues—without endless scrolling. Culture Week Countdown: Aruba’s Cultural Heritage Safeguarding Foundation is gearing up for Culture Week (Sept 19–26) with free workshops, lectures, and folklore guests from sister islands, plus a “train the trainers” focus. Art & Photography: “Lens di mi Wowonan” opens at the National Library on Sept 1 (7:00 p.m.), featuring 16 photographers and 200 sports-focused portraits, with RBC as long-time sponsor. Integrity in Government: Bureau for Integrity Aruba certified new Integrity Trust Persons and Internal Investigators, expanding support for public employees. Consumer Credit Update: The Central Bank reminds residents that new maximum cost rules for consumer loans take effect from Aug 1, 2026.

Photography & Press Culture: “Lens di mi Wowonan” opens at the National Library of Aruba on September 1 (7:00 p.m.), celebrating 18 years of portraits and sports-focused visual storytelling, with RBC Royal Bank as long-time sponsor and special recognition for key pillars of Aruba’s photography and journalism. Integrity in Government: The Bureau for Integrity Aruba (BIA) certified new Integrity Trust Persons and Internal Investigators, expanding support for public employees and strengthening how integrity concerns are handled. Community & Local Life: Bureau City Inspector calls out ongoing trash and illegal dumping, reminding residents that owning land doesn’t mean you can turn it into dumps. Arts & Fashion: Art Fashion 2026 returns with “Nature Meets Mankind,” featuring local and international designers and a new venue for a fresh runway experience. Sports & Clean Play: The Aruban Olympic Committee will host an international anti-doping conference on September 6 under “Fair Play Clean Future.” Food Festival: Autentico Aruba Culinary Festival is set for October 3–11, with Restaurant Week and a downtown street-party finale.

Photography & Press Day: “Lens di mi Wowonan” opens at the National Library of Aruba on September 1 (7:00 p.m.), celebrating 18 years of Aruban visual storytelling with 16 photographers and 200 sports-focused portraits, plus special recognition for four local pillars of photography and journalism. Banking Support: RBC sponsors the exhibition for 18 consecutive years, reaffirming its long-running role as main sponsor. Community Media: Aruba Airport Authority marks Press Day by hosting a relaxed gathering for local journalists—games, prizes, and time to connect beyond the newsroom. Culture & Language: Día Nacional de Uruguay celebrations in The Hague spotlight Spanish as a shared diplomatic thread, while Aruba’s own cultural calendar keeps rolling. Integrity in Government: Bureau for Integrity Aruba certifies new Integrity Trust Persons and Internal Investigators, expanding confidential support and investigation capacity for public employees. Downtown Oranjestad: Demolition begins for Single One Residences at Caya Betico Croes 74, aiming to bring more everyday life back to Main Street. Sports & Health: Aruba Sport Unie announces its Sport Expo and Sports Olympiad for September, and the Aruban Olympic Committee prepares an international anti-doping conference on September 6. Art & Fashion: Art Fashion 2026 returns with “Nature Meets Mankind,” moving to a new venue and featuring designers with eco-minded materials and performance elements. Upcoming Food Event: Autentico Aruba Culinary Festival is set for October 3–11, blending Restaurant Week with a downtown street-party finale.

AI & Tech: Think unveiled Think Fabric, a unified bare-metal AI compute platform aimed at boosting efficiency by tackling cooling, density, GPU use, and infrastructure costs—set to be shown at LEAP 2026. Integrity in Government: Aruba’s Bureau for Integrity (BIA) certified new Integrity Trust Persons and Internal Investigators, expanding confidential support and investigation capacity across government services. Downtown Oranjestad: Demolition has started for Single One Residences at Caya Betico Croes 74, a 30-apartment mixed-use project that could bring more everyday life back to Main Street. Culture & Heritage: Chico Harms Foundation kicks off Brazil Day celebrations with the Reina Folklore 2026 pageant, while a Curaçao-led REPAIR project explores how colonial history still shapes culture and education across the ABC islands. Community & Environment: Bureau City Inspector Maikel Gomes renewed calls to stop illegal dumping, stressing that land ownership doesn’t allow turning plots into trash sites. Sports & Events: Aruba Activo returns Sept. 27 with a full day of activities and music, and Art Fashion 2026 debuts its “Nature Meets Mankind” concept ahead of its runway showcase. Arts & Travel: Aruba Art Fair lights up San Nicolas Sept. 11–13, turning the “Sunrise City” into a street-level gallery with live art and performances.

Integrity & Governance: Minister of Justice Arthur Dowers attended the Aruba Integrity Bureau’s certification ceremony, where public employees were trained as Integrity Confidentiality Officers and Internal Investigators—roles built on trust, confidentiality, and independent integrity checks. Sports & Clean Play: The Aruban Olympic Committee announced an international anti-doping conference on September 6, inviting athletes and support teams to learn how to protect clean sport. Community Fitness: Aruba Sport Unie gears up for Sport Expo (Sept 12) and the ASU Sports Olympiad as part of its 85-year celebrations, with federations and activities for all ages. Fashion & Art: Art Fashion 2026 returns with “Nature Meets Mankind,” featuring local and international designers and a new venue—plus an eco-minded recycled-material theme. Local Culture on Stage: Zjeitu launches “Zjeitu Den Bo Cura,” a live session celebrating cultural brotherhood between Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao through music. Tourism Messaging: Aruba Tourism Authority hosted a media morning ahead of Press Day, stressing journalism’s role in responsible tourism dialogue. Aruba in the Spotlight (Sports): Jamaica’s 27-member rifle team is competing in Aruba at the Pan American Handgun Championship, aiming for podium finishes. Arts Calendar: The Aruba Art Fair (Sept 11–13) lights up San Nicolas as a three-day open-air showcase of art, murals, and live performances.

Integrity & Governance: Justice Minister Arthur Dowers attended a certification ceremony by the Aruba Integrity Bureau, training new Integrity Confidentiality Officers and Internal Investigators to strengthen trust, confidentiality, and independent integrity checks. Sports & Community: Aruba Sport Unie kicks off September with a Sport Expo and ASU Sports Olympiad (Sept 12), celebrating sports history and opening the door to more island-wide participation. Anti-Doping Focus: The Aruban Olympic Committee will host an international anti-doping conference on Sept 6, aiming to educate athletes and support teams on clean, safe sport. Health & Inclusion: FAVI launched its 2026 Donation Campaign, calling on the community to support services for children and adults who are blind or visually impaired. Arts & Fashion: Art Fashion 2026 returns with “Nature Meets Mankind,” featuring local and international designers and a new venue, while the Aruba Art Fair (Sept 11–13) turns San Nicolas into a three-day open-air gallery. Culture & Heritage: Zjeitu group and the Aruba Tourism Authority team up for “Zjeitu Den Bo Cura,” a live session celebrating musical brotherhood across Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Astronomy: Aruba Astro Research International says a partial lunar eclipse will be visible from the island late Aug into Aug 28.

Integrity & Governance: Minister of Justice Arthur Dowers attended the Aruba Integrity Bureau’s certification ceremony in San Nicolas, where public employees were trained as Integrity Confidentiality Officers and Internal Investigators—roles built on trust, confidentiality, and independent integrity checks. Sports & Clean Sport: The Aruban Olympic Committee announced an international anti-doping conference on September 6, aiming to educate athletes and their support teams on fair play and clean, safe sport. Island Health & Community Fitness: IDEFRE marks its 50th anniversary with Aruba Activo on September 27—an early-morning closed-route activity, a full day at Bushiri Beach with beach sports, Zumba, a kids corner, health fair, food vendors, and live music. Fashion & Creative Culture: Art Fashion 2026 returns for its 9th edition with “Nature Meets Mankind,” featuring local and international designers and a new venue—plus recycled-material fashion and performance elements. Arts in San Nicolas: The 9th annual Aruba Art Fair runs September 11–13, turning San Nicolas into an open-air gallery with live art creation and more than 100 artists. Disability Support: FAVI launched its 2026 Donation Campaign, calling on the community to back services for blind and visually impaired children and adults, including guidance, rehab, adapted education, and assistive tech. Sports Tourism: Caribbean Mercantile Bank renewed its three-year partnership with Aruba Beach Tennis for the Aruba Open Beach Tennis Championship. Skywatching: Aruba Astro Research International says a partial lunar eclipse will be fully visible from the island, with key phases from 9:23 p.m. through the early-morning hours.

Aruba Arts & Fashion: Art Fashion 2026 is back with a fresh concept, “Nature Meets Mankind,” moving to a new venue and featuring designers from Aruba and abroad, including a performance-led look that blends fashion with choreography. Sports & Community: Aruba Sport Unie kicks off September with a Sport Expo (Sept 12) and an ASU Sports Olympiad (Sept 12 evening) celebrating the federation’s 85 years. Local Sports Spotlight: Aruba hosts the 2026 Pan American Handgun Championship, with a 27-member Jamaican team pushing for podium finishes at Wela Shooting Range. Anti-Doping Focus: The Aruban Olympic Committee will hold an international anti-doping conference on Sept 6, aimed at athletes and their support teams. Culture & Heritage: The Zjeitu group launches “Zjeitu Den Bo Cura,” a live session celebrating cultural brotherhood between Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Tourism & Media: Aruba Tourism Authority marks Press Day with a media gathering, stressing how journalism shapes Aruba’s tourism message. Astronomy Moment: Aruba Astro Research International says a partial lunar eclipse will be fully visible from the island late Aug 27 into Aug 28.

Jamaica in Focus: A 27-member Jamaican team is competing at the 2026 Pan American Handgun Championships in Aruba, with the Ladies Optics squad sitting second after day two and the Men’s Optics Senior team holding bronze as athletes push for podium spots in the heat. Sports & Clean Sport: The Aruban Olympic Committee is gearing up for an international anti-doping conference on September 6, inviting athletes and support teams to learn about fair play and clean sport. Art & Fashion: Art Fashion 2026 returns with “Nature Meets Mankind,” moving to a new venue and featuring designers from Santo Domingo, Colombia, Venezuela and the Netherlands alongside Aruban talent. Island Fitness: Aruba Activo marks the Department of Sports’ 50th anniversary on September 27 with a morning route, beach activities, Zumba, kids’ corner, a health fair, and live music. Community Spotlight: FAVI launched its 2026 donation campaign, calling on the public to support services for Arubans who are blind or visually impaired. Local Culture: The Zjeitu group debuts “Zjeitu Den Bo Cura,” a live session celebrating cultural brotherhood through music from Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. Skywatch: Aruba Astro Research International says a partial lunar eclipse will be visible from Aruba late August into early August 28. Drag Racing Weekend: The Real Deal drag racing event kicks off with an Aruba vs. U.S. matchup, plus DJs, a car & bike show, and weekend racing at Palo Marga.

Sports & Health: The Aruban Olympic Committee will host an international anti-doping conference on September 6, “Fair Play Clean Future,” inviting athletes and their support teams to learn how to stay clean and protect the spirit of sport. Community Sports: Aruba Sport Unie is gearing up for its Sport Expo (Sept 12) and ASU Sports Olympiad, celebrating 85 years of the organization with federations, booths, and a full sports program. Island Events: IDEFRE marks its 50th anniversary with Aruba Activo on Sept 27—morning route, beach sports, Zumba, Kids Corner, a health fair, food vendors, and music. Fashion & Culture: Art Fashion 2026 returns with “Nature Meets Mankind,” featuring nine designers and a new venue for its ninth edition. Accessibility & Giving: FAVI launches its 2026 donation campaign to support Arubans who are blind or visually impaired, funding rehab, adapted education, assistive tech, and more. Local Arts Spotlight: Zjeitu group debuts “Zjeitu Den Bo Cura,” a live session celebrating cultural brotherhood between Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Entertainment Calendar: The Real Deal drag racing event kicks off this weekend with Aruba vs the U.S. and DJ entertainment, plus a demolition derby to close. Astronomy: Aruba Astro Research International says a partial lunar eclipse will be fully visible from the island late Aug 27 into Aug 28.

Wildlife Photography: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 shared a sneak peek from a record 65,000 entries across 121 countries, with 100 winning images headed to London’s Natural History Museum (Oct 16, 2026–July 11, 2027). Culture & Music: Zjeitu group launched its first live session, “Zjeitu Den Bo Cura,” filmed in Savaneta and built around cultural brotherhood between Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Cruising & Travel Buzz: Disney Cruise Line revealed Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 itineraries, including a return to New York City (Disney Wish arriving late Sept 2027) plus more sailings from San Juan and new Panama calls. Sports on the Island: Aruba Sport Unie confirmed its Sport Expo and ASU Sports Olympiad for Sept 12, celebrating 85 years of ASU. Astronomy Night: Aruba Astro Research International says a partial lunar eclipse will be fully visible from the island, with key phases from 9:23 p.m. through early morning. Art & Fashion: Artweek Aruba 2026 is set for Sept 7–13, and Aruba Fashion Week marks its 10th anniversary with “Winds of Fashion” running Nov 19–22.

Aruba Arts & Culture: Artweek Aruba 2026 kicks off in San Nicolas (Sept. 7–13) with Art Table, Art Fashion Week, and the Aruba Art Fair bringing 100+ local artists, musicians, poets, and dancers to B. v/d Veen Zeppenfeldstraat. Fashion Spotlight: Aruba Fashion Week marks its 10th anniversary with “Winds of Fashion” (Nov. 19–22) at Tierra del Sol Aruba, blending runway, showrooms, and brand/commerce networking. Tourism & Local Media: Ahead of Press Day, the Aruba Tourism Authority highlighted how journalism shapes Aruba’s tourism message and pushes responsible tourism dialogue. Tourism Economy Data: ATA/A.T.A. reports Q2 Visa spending: 304,308 international Visa cardholders spent USD 184.9M in Aruba, led by restaurants/food (USD 56.7M), then accommodation and retail. Sports in the Spotlight: Aruba hosts the 2026 Pan American Handgun Championship (Aug. 27–29 at Wela Shooting Range), with a 27-member Jamaica team competing under IPSC rules. Community & Lifestyle: A new “Aruba Unpacked” travel campaign encourages packing less and traveling with intention, supporting local culture and businesses. Wildlife Photography: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 shares a preview from 65,000+ entries, with winners and exhibition set for London (Oct. 16, 2026–July 11, 2027). Travel & Entertainment: Playa Film Festival returns at Caribbean Cinemas with Aruba and Curaçao short films, plus Q&As and “Kingdom of Shorts” screenings.