Prime Minister Holness Outlines Vision for Jamaica’s Future at Swearing-In Ceremony
Prime Minister the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has reaffirmed his commitment to leading Jamaica into a new era of transformation, vowing to make the nation a global model of greatness for small states.
Speaking on Tuesday (September 16, 2025) at King’s House during his swearing-in for a third consecutive term as Prime Minister, Dr. Holness emphasized that his administration’s vision is to eradicate absolute poverty, elevate culture and creativity as pillars of economic growth, harness the island’s geographic advantage, and strengthen human capital development while modernizing government and fighting crime. The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of reducing violence, improving diplomacy, and ensuring that Jamaica’s global voice remains strong.
The Prime Minister said: “Our mission is clear. We will eradicate absolute poverty, we will build an economy that provides opportunities for all, we will make Jamaica the safest society in the Caribbean, we will restore respect and values and raise a generation that chooses peace over violence, discipline over disorder, and love over hate. We will build a transformative education system that will produce a generation of confident and innovative problem solvers. We will make Jamaica the most efficient and least corrupt jurisdiction to do business, we will make Jamaica a socially just and equitable place, and we will claim our rightful place among the leading nations of the world.”
Dr. Holness pledged to build on past achievements while tackling the critical challenges of the future, noting that his third term is not about personal legacy but about fulfilling Jamaica’s destiny. “There is much more to build, and I am here to build it. This term is not about my legacy; it is about Jamaica’s destiny. That is why I stand before you today not as a man who feels he has completed his work but as a leader who knows that the greatest tasks are still ahead of us, the greatest challenges are yet to come.”
The Prime Minister also highlighted the need to invest in culture and creativity, expand infrastructure, and leverage Jamaica’s location as a gateway between North and South America to drive logistics and trade. Dr Holness pledged to continue reforms aimed at cutting bureaucracy and red tape, while digitizing government services to create transparency and efficiency.
Prime Minister Holness acknowledged that economic progress must be matched by peace and stability, urging Jamaicans to unite against violence. He further committed to strengthening Jamaica’s diplomatic role on the world stage, building partnerships and ensuring small states are not overlooked in global affairs.
Reflecting on his renewed mandate, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the people of Jamaica.
“I stand before you deeply humbled and profoundly grateful to accept the people’s mandate to once again serve as your Prime Minister. I consider it the greatest privilege, and I do not take it lightly. The third term is not a laurel to rest upon. It is a summons to continue to serve with vision, wisdom and integrity, more diligently, more inclusively, with even greater urgency. Thank you for your trust. I will honour it by working even harder for you.”
The Prime Minister called for national unity, extending a hand to the Opposition and all sectors of society to partner in advancing the national interest.