Speeches by the Prime Minister

I am sure we are all breathing a collective sigh of relief that we made it through one of the most challenging years; globally, nationally, and personally, in our lifetimes.  As Jamaica, like the world, tried to protect our population from the deadly virus, through measures such as curfews, lockdowns, mask-wearing and vaccination, these very […]

Christmas is the most anticipated time of the year. It’s our Jamaican tradition to clean up, spruce up, and decorate our homes and communities, sometimes with a fresh coat of paint and some pepper light.  There is an increased buzz of activities, peaking in Grand Market; signaling the preparation for families coming together, gifts, good […]

TO THE UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (UNFCCC) Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom November 1-2, 2021 Mr President, Excellencies, Colleagues, On behalf of the people of Jamaica, I thank the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Italian Republic, for their strong commitment and leadership in hosting this COP 26 within the context of […]

National Heroes Day is set aside as a public holiday each year to honour those great Jamaicans, who by their work and often ultimate sacrifice, revolted against slavery, secured our freedom, fought for equal rights and justice, guided our Independence, resisted oppression, and in so doing inspired a revolution and an awakening of self-pride and […]

FIRST AFRICA-CARICOM SUMMIT OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT 7TH SEPTEMBER 2021 Theme: UNITY ACROSS CONTINENTS AND OCEANS: OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEEPENING INTEGRATION Mr. Chairman (and Brother Uhuru Kenyatta) Your Excellencies Friends Good morning and good afternoon. I am truly honoured to address this historic inaugural Africa-CARICOM Summit, a timely dialogue which can only strengthen our fraternal […]

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Madam Deputy Speaker, I wanted to update Parliament on the proposed measures for December 2020 prior to the enactment of the new Orders under the Disaster Risk Management Act.  We must take measures now to continue our measured, evidence-based, proportionate and situationally appropriate risk-based management approach to the pandemic.   […]

183 years ago today on August 1, 1838, the descendants of trafficked and enslaved Africans, who themselves grew up in generations of slavery, finally celebrated their full freedom, as declared in the Emancipation proclamation. There are many reasons to be considered as to why the British Parliament decided to end slavery as a means of […]

Good morning again. Now, let me acknowledge Councillor Rosalie Hamilton. You’re a longstanding councillor, you’ve been in this area representing for more than 20 years Rosie; very good, longstanding, and faithful councillor. Let me acknowledge the principal and vice-principal of your school. Let me acknowledge the Superintendent who is doing an amazing job and her […]

Madam speaker, I’m taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of Finance. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the members opposite, who have participated in this debate and have expressed important opinions, some of which are valid and I want to say from the outset that the government thought long and hard about going […]

The Honourable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States of America, Excellencies and colleagues Happy Earth Day! The need for meaningful climate action has never been greater. Jamaica is heartened that the United States has re-joined the Paris Agreement – an important expression of global solidarity for climate action.  We are also greatly […]