AGP Executive Report

AI & Human Rights in Western Sahara: Aminatou Haidar (ISACOM) told the UN Human Rights Council that Morocco’s occupation risks turning fast AI and digital tools into new ways to surveil, discriminate against, and silence Sahrawi women human rights defenders, amplifying existing power imbalances. Policy & Diplomacy: A commentary on Gabriel Boric’s Western Sahara stance argues Chile shifted from self-determination and human rights principles toward political alignment with Morocco, including refusal to engage SADR representatives and silence on alleged abuses. AI Governance Debate: In Tangier, economist Guillermo Taboada pushed a “Slow AI” approach, warning that misuse can create “cognitive debt” and urging better literacy and governance instead of uncritical adoption. Health Tech & Access: Health Canada approved Svemia, the first generic semaglutide injection for chronic weight management in Canada (age 12+), positioning cheaper GLP-1 options as patent protections expire. Screen Tourism: Euronews’ 2026 set-jetting roundup highlights how screen-inspired travel demand can spike before release, with Greece ranked high in forecasted 2026 interest.

Screen Tourism & Travel Demand: Euronews reports that screen-driven travel is surging, with Expedia projecting a potential $8B screen-inspired industry in the US; a Holafly Screen Tourism Forecast Index ranks Greece fifth globally for 2026 set-jetting, driven by viewership, social buzz, confirmed filming, and travel readiness. Public Health & Drug Access: Health Canada approved Svemia, the first generic semaglutide injection for weight loss (once weekly for ages 12+), filed by Apotex as a generic of Wegovy, adding to Canada’s growing lineup of cheaper GLP-1 options. AI, Rights, and Surveillance: Aminatou Haidar told the UN Human Rights Council that AI and digital tools are being used to intensify surveillance and discrimination against Sahrawi women human rights defenders under Morocco’s occupation. AI Governance Debate: At the ELI Morocco Forum 2026, Guillermo Taboada challenged “uncritical” AI adoption, warning about “cognitive debt” and pushing for AI literacy and governance. Western Sahara Politics & Tech Framing: Commentary on Gabriel Boric argues Chile retreated from self-determination principles on Western Sahara, while other analysis claims Morocco is winning via infrastructure, renewables, and a tourism push.

Screen Tourism: Euronews reports that screen-driven travel is accelerating fast, with Expedia projecting a potential $8B U.S. market; using Holafly’s Screen Tourism Forecast Index, Greece ranks fifth globally for 2026 set-jetting (61.0/100), as Gen Z and Millennials increasingly plan trips based on what they see online. Public Health & Pharma: Health Canada approved Svemia, the first generic semaglutide injection for weight loss (once weekly for ages 12+), filed by Apotex as a generic of Wegovy—part of a broader wave of cheaper GLP-1 options. AI, Rights & Occupation: Aminatou Haidar told the UN Human Rights Council that AI and digital tools are being used to intensify surveillance and discrimination against Sahrawi women human rights defenders under Morocco’s occupation, warning that technology can amplify existing power imbalances. AI Governance Debate: At the ELI Morocco Forum 2026, entrepreneur Guillermo Taboada challenged uncritical AI adoption, arguing misuse creates “cognitive debt” and calling for better AI literacy and governance. Politics & Western Sahara: A commentary on Gabriel Boric’s Western Sahara stance says his government retreated from self-determination and human-rights principles, citing denial of recognition to the SADR and silence on alleged abuses.

Screen Tourism & Booking Behavior: Euronews reports “set-jetting” is driving a fast-growing screen-inspired travel market, citing Holafly’s Screen Tourism Forecast Index that ranks Greece fifth globally for 2026 demand, with Expedia projecting up to $8B in the US as Gen Z and Millennials increasingly plan trips based on what they see online. Weight-Loss Drug Access: Health Canada approved the first generic semaglutide injection for chronic weight management (Svemia by Apotex), once weekly for ages 12+ alongside diet and activity, expanding cheaper GLP-1 options as patent protections shift. AI, Rights, and Surveillance in Western Sahara: Aminatou Haidar told the UN Human Rights Council that AI and digital tools are being used to intensify surveillance and discrimination against Sahrawi women human rights defenders under Morocco’s occupation. AI Literacy Debate: At the ELI Morocco Forum 2026, economist Guillermo Taboada challenged “uncritical AI” adoption, warning about “cognitive debt” from misuse and pushing for judgment-focused AI governance. Western Sahara Diplomacy & Tech-Driven Influence: Recent coverage highlights how digital and infrastructure-led strategies are being used in the Western Sahara dispute, alongside renewed international political shifts affecting recognition and ties.

Screen Tourism: Euronews reports 2026 “set-jetting” is booming, with screen-inspired travel projected to reach a potential $8B in the US; Expedia says 81% of Gen Z and Millennials plan at least one vacation based on something they’ve seen on screen, and Greece ranks fifth globally for 2026 demand, driven by viewership, filming activity, and travel readiness. Health Policy: Health Canada approved Svemia, the first generic semaglutide injection for weight loss (once weekly) for people 12+ with chronic weight management alongside diet and activity, as patent protections expire for Wegovy. Human Rights & AI: Aminatou Haidar told the UN Human Rights Council that AI and digital tools are being used to intensify surveillance and discrimination against Sahrawi women human rights defenders under Morocco’s occupation. Diplomacy Watch: Commentary on Gabriel Boric argues Chile retreated from self-determination principles on Western Sahara, while Colombia’s rightward shift after Abelardo de la Espriella’s win puts Petro-era Polisario policy under scrutiny. Tech & Governance: At the ELI Morocco Forum 2026, Guillermo Taboada challenged “uncritical AI” adoption, warning about “cognitive debt” and pushing for AI literacy and governance.

Weight-loss drug update: Health Canada approved Svemia, the first generic semaglutide injection for chronic weight management (once weekly for ages 12+), as cheaper GLP-1 options expand in Canada. AI & rights in Western Sahara: Sahrawi human rights defender Aminatou Haidar told the UN Human Rights Council that fast AI and digital tools risk boosting surveillance and discrimination against Sahrawi women defenders under occupation. AI governance debate: At the ELI Morocco Forum 2026, economist Guillermo Taboada challenged “uncritical” AI use, warning about “cognitive debt” and pushing for AI with judgment. Diplomacy under pressure: Colombia’s rightward shift after Abelardo de la Espriella’s win puts its restored ties with the Polisario Front under scrutiny, with potential knock-on effects for Western Sahara policy. Defense tech momentum: A US Senate bill would require a 10-year plan to deepen defense cooperation with Morocco, including joint exercises, runway refurbishments, and drone-related force modernization. Research & history: A new Hungarian book, “Western Sahara and Hungary,” draws on Eastern European communist archives to revisit the territory’s colonial history and decolonization.

UN Human Rights Council: Sahrawi human rights defender Aminatou Haidar told the UN in Geneva that Morocco’s fast push into artificial intelligence and digital tools is being used to intensify surveillance, discrimination, and exclusion targeting Sahrawi women defenders, amplifying existing inequalities through harassment and restrictions on expression and association. AI & Governance Debate: At the ELI Morocco Forum 2026 in Tangier, economist Guillermo Taboada challenged “uncritical” AI adoption, warning that misuse can make society “dumber” and calling for better AI literacy and governance. Western Sahara Diplomacy & Politics: A new analysis argues Chilean President Gabriel Boric’s Western Sahara stance showed retreat from self-determination and human-rights principles, while Colombia’s rightward shift after Abelardo de la Espriella’s win puts Petro-era Polisario policy under scrutiny. Defense & Tech: Reports highlight Morocco’s growing defense modernization with Israeli-linked drone and tech cooperation, alongside major Algeria military spending, as well as a US Senate push for a long-term plan to deepen defense cooperation with Morocco. History & Research: A Hungarian book, “Western Sahara and Hungary,” draws on Eastern European communist archives to expand international scholarship on decolonization and the territory’s history.

UN Human Rights Council: Sahrawi human rights defender Aminatou Haidar warned in Geneva that Morocco’s rapid push in artificial intelligence and digital tools is being used to intensify surveillance, discrimination, and harassment of Sahrawi women defenders. AI & Governance: At the ELI Morocco Forum 2026 in Tangier, economist Guillermo Taboada challenged “uncritical” AI adoption, arguing that misuse creates “cognitive debt” and called for better AI literacy and governance. Western Sahara Diplomacy: A commentary on Gabriel Boric’s tenure says Chile retreated from self-determination principles on Western Sahara, citing denial of recognition to the SADR and silence on alleged rights abuses. Defense Tech & Drones: Reporting highlights growing defense cooperation around Morocco, including a U.S. Senate NDAA section ordering a 10-year plan (2026–2036) to deepen U.S.-Morocco defense cooperation, with joint exercises, runway refurbishments, and drone-related modernization. Regional Politics: Colombia’s rightward shift is said to put Petro’s Polisario policy under scrutiny, after Colombia restored ties with the SADR in 2022. History & Research: A new Hungarian book, “Western Sahara and Hungary,” adds to international research on the territory’s history and decolonization, drawing on Eastern European archives.

UN Rights & AI: Sahrawi human rights defender Aminatou Haidar told the UN Human Rights Council that Morocco’s rapid AI and digital tools are being used to intensify surveillance, harassment, and exclusion of Sahrawi women defenders in Western Sahara. Diplomacy & Self-Determination: A new analysis argues Chile under Gabriel Boric retreated from self-determination and human-rights principles on Western Sahara, citing denial of recognition to the SADR and silence on alleged abuses. AI Literacy Debate: At the ELI Morocco Forum 2026, economist Guillermo Taboada challenged “Slow AI” thinking, warning that misuse of AI can make societies “dumber” and calling for better governance. Politics in the Americas: Colombia’s rightward shift after Abelardo de la Espriella’s win puts Petro’s Polisario policy under scrutiny, after Petro restored recognition of the SADR and ties in 2022. Defense Tech & Funding: The US Senate’s FY2027 NDAA includes a binding 10-year plan to deepen defense cooperation with Morocco, covering joint exercises, runway refurbishments, drone-related modernization, and more military drills. Regional Security Spending: Another report highlights Morocco’s defense modernization with Israeli-linked ventures alongside Algeria’s record $25B military spending, framing a widening arms race. History & Research: A Hungarian-published book, “Western Sahara and Hungary,” draws on Eastern European communist archives to document the territory’s history and decolonization.

UN Human Rights Council: Sahrawi human rights defender Aminatou Haidar told the UN in Geneva that Morocco’s rapid push into AI and digital tools is being used to intensify surveillance, discrimination, and exclusion targeting Sahrawi women defenders, amid harassment and restrictions on expression and association. AI Governance Debate: At the ELI Morocco Forum 2026 in Tangier, economist Guillermo Taboada challenged “uncritical” AI adoption, warning that misuse can make societies “dumber” and calling for better AI literacy and governance. Western Sahara Diplomacy Under Scrutiny: A new analysis argues Chilean President Gabriel Boric’s Western Sahara stance showed retreat from self-determination and human-rights principles, including refusal to engage with SADR representatives and silence on alleged abuses. Defense & Tech Partnerships: A US Senate NDAA provision would require a 10-year Pentagon plan (2026–2036) to deepen US defense cooperation with Morocco, including joint exercises, runway refurbishments, and drone-related modernization. Regional Security Spending: Another report highlights Morocco’s defense modernization with Israeli-linked ventures alongside Algeria’s record $25B military spending, framing a widening arms race. Water as Strategy: A commentary argues Maghreb states must treat water as a strategic sovereignty issue, not just a technical problem, as drought and tensions grow. Culture & History: A book titled “Western Sahara and Hungary” was published in Hungary, drawing on Eastern Bloc archives to expand international historical research on decolonization.

UN Human Rights: Aminatou Haidar told the UN Human Rights Council that Morocco’s rapid push in AI and digital tools is being used to step up surveillance, harassment, and exclusion of Sahrawi women human rights defenders. AI Governance: At the ELI Morocco Forum 2026 in Tangier, economist Guillermo Taboada challenged “Slow AI” hype, warning that misuse of AI can make societies “dumber” and calling for better literacy and governance. Diplomacy & Policy: A new analysis argues Chile’s former president Gabriel Boric backed away from self-determination on Western Sahara, aligning more with Morocco’s monarchy than with human-rights principles. US-Morocco Defense Tech: A US Senate NDAA provision would require a 10-year Pentagon plan to deepen defense cooperation with Morocco, including joint exercises, runway refurbishments, and drone-related force modernization. Regional Security Spending: Another report highlights Algeria’s $25B military build-up as a response to Morocco’s faster defense modernization and Israeli-linked technology partnerships. Culture & History: A Hungary-published book, “Western Sahara and Hungary,” adds to international scholarship on the territory’s history and decolonization. Water Strategy: Commentary argues Maghreb governments must treat water as a strategic sovereignty issue, not just a technical problem, as drought and costs rise.

Human Rights & AI: Aminatou Haidar told the UN Human Rights Council that Morocco’s fast AI and digital rollout is being used to intensify surveillance, harassment, and exclusion of Sahrawi women human rights defenders. Diplomacy & Self-Determination: A new analysis argues Chile President Gabriel Boric’s Western Sahara policy shows “retreat” from self-determination, citing denial of SADR recognition and silence on alleged rights abuses. AI Literacy Debate: At the ELI Morocco Forum 2026 in Tangier, economist Guillermo Taboada challenged “uncritical” AI adoption, warning that misuse can make society “dumber” and calling for better governance. Defense Tech & Regional Power: A US Senate NDAA provision would require a 10-year plan to deepen US defense cooperation with Morocco, including joint exercises, runway refurbishments, and drone-related facilities. Water as Strategy: A commentary says Maghreb water stress is shifting from a technical issue to a strategic asset tied to sovereignty, food security, and regional stability. Culture & Pluralism: A report says a Sahara-themed book fair event was canceled amid claims of “whitewashing,” arguing debate was replaced by moral dismissal rather than discussion.

Western Sahara Diplomacy: A new analysis argues Chilean President Gabriel Boric’s government backed away from self-determination for Western Sahara—refusing to engage SADR representatives and staying silent on alleged human-rights abuses—while aligning with Morocco’s monarchy-backed line. AI Literacy Debate: At the ELI Morocco Forum 2026 in Tangier, entrepreneur Guillermo Taboada warned that “misuse of AI” is making parts of society “dumber,” pushing for better governance and literacy rather than blind adoption. UN & Regional Narrative: A piece on UN diplomacy claims Algeria’s Polisario support contrasts with Morocco’s growing leverage on the ground, pointing to infrastructure and renewable-energy investment as part of Rabat’s strategy. Defense & Tech Cooperation: A U.S. Senate NDAA provision would require a 10-year Pentagon plan to deepen defense cooperation with Morocco (2026–2036), including joint exercises, runway refurbishments, and drone-related modernization. History & Research: A Hungarian-published book, “Western Sahara and Hungary,” draws on Eastern Bloc archives to map the territory’s history and decolonization.

AI Literacy Debate: At the ELI Morocco Forum 2026 in Tangier, economist Guillermo Taboada warned that misused AI can create “cognitive debt,” pushing audiences to think instead of nod along. Defense Tech & Drones: Spain’s parliament questioned whether it could respond to Moroccan use of Israeli-designed SpyX suicide drones, reflecting how defense technology transfers are reshaping regional power. US-Morocco Military Roadmap: A US Senate NDAA bill (Section 1268) would require a 10-year Pentagon plan to deepen defense cooperation with Morocco, including joint exercises, runway refurbishments, and drone-related facilities. Water as Strategy: A Maghreb-focused piece argues water must be treated as a strategic sovereignty issue, not just a technical problem, as drought and desalination costs intensify. UN Human Rights Council Claims: At Geneva’s UNHRC, Sahrawi and partner groups released a “Year in Review” report alleging Morocco’s information blockade, land grabs tied to green energy, and drone strikes, alongside nearly 170 documented violations. Western Sahara History in Hungary: A new Hungarian book, “Western Sahara and Hungary,” draws on Eastern Bloc archives to expand international historical research on decolonization. Regional Politics Watch: Colombia’s rightward shift puts its restored ties with the Polisario Front under scrutiny, after Petro’s earlier recognition moves. Security Incident: Spain destroyed over 30 tonnes of cocaine seized off the coast of Western Sahara, marking the largest such operation in the country’s history.

US–Morocco Defense Push: A new U.S. Senate provision (Section 1268 of the FY2027 NDAA) orders a 10-year plan to deepen defense cooperation with Morocco, including joint exercises, counter-terror work, runway refurbishments, and drone-related upgrades—turning the partnership into law. UN Human Rights Council Spotlight: In Geneva, Sahrawi and human-rights researchers say Morocco is using an “information blockade,” green-energy land grabs, and drone strikes to entrench control, while warning that documented violations (nearly 170) likely undercount the real toll. Regional Diplomacy Shift: Colombia’s right-wing election is drawing scrutiny over its renewed ties with Polisario after Petro’s pro–Sahrawi positions, raising questions about what changes under the next government. Security & Arms Debate: Spanish lawmakers are publicly weighing whether Spain could respond to Moroccan threats involving Israeli-designed SpyX drones, reflecting how defense technology transfers are reshaping regional power. Water as Strategy: A North Africa-focused piece argues water must be treated as a strategic sovereignty issue, not just a technical problem, as drought and desalination pressures grow. Local Knowledge & Culture: A Hungary-published book on Western Sahara history adds to international academic coverage, while a separate report says a Sahara-themed event at a Spanish book fair was canceled amid claims of “whitewashing” and political pushback.

UN Diplomacy vs Ground Reality: Algerian representatives again urged UN-backed self-determination for Western Sahara, but the piece argues Morocco is turning the stalemate into “facts on the ground” through major investment in infrastructure, renewable energy, and tourism, with a growing Western and Arab consensus pointing to Rabat’s autonomy plan. Colombia’s Shift: Colombia’s right-wing election outcome is putting its restored ties with the Polisario Front under scrutiny after Petro’s 2022 recognition moves, raising the prospect of a foreign-policy reset. Defense Tech & Regional Power: A U.S. Senate push in the FY2027 NDAA would require a 10-year plan to deepen U.S.-Morocco defense cooperation, including joint exercises, runway refurbishments, and drone-related modernization—framing Morocco as a key American partner. Human Rights in Geneva: At the UN Human Rights Council, NOVACT and researcher Hayat Said said a 2025 report documents nearly 170 violations and warns of an ongoing information blockade, land grabs tied to “green energy,” and drone strikes against civilians. Water as Strategy: A North Africa commentary argues water must be treated as a strategic sovereignty issue, not just a technical problem, as drought and competition intensify. Drugs Off the Sahara: Spain destroyed over 30 tonnes of cocaine seized in the Atlantic off Western Sahara, valued at about €812 million.