Speeches by the Prime Minister

Keynote Address By The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At the STEM for Growth Symposium UTECH On April 24, 2024 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's getting hotter this year. The truth is that we've always had these kinds of fluctuation in our weather, but we're seeing it now with greater intensity and greater frequency so it's not merely climate variation, it is really climate change. And I'm certain that Glen can attest to it but even My generation and Sydney's generation can say we have never felt it this hot before and it is something that we are reflecting on. So, yes, I start at that point to say that there are challenges that are emerging that our creativity and that creativity expressed through technology is going to be required for humankind to survive; that's kind of like the big picture that we have to consider when we think of STEM. Think of it this way, can technology and the human effort change the climate? And I believe the answer to that is yes. Technology and human effort have changed the climate for the worst. Can technology and human effort mitigate and adapt and who knows, possibly…

Keynote Address By The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At the Handing Over Ceremony Friendship Oaks Phase 1, St Elizabeth On May 17, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   It is so good to be in my second parish of St Elizabeth. I have roots not too far from here and I spent many summers in this community so this is a place that's near and dear to me. Let me thank Pastor Kimoy Allen for the prayers.  And you know today is National Children's Day and so let me thank the students who performed from the Goshen Primary School Culture Club; thank you very much. And the teachers who are here, the proud teachers, I could see them beaming with pride as the children sang and I too. I recorded it because I may make a little message to say here is what the children are saying.  We must rely on the mercy and the goodness of God so thank you so much for that message. And I am a fan of mento music, and I must make a commendation for the NHT that whenever we put on these ceremonies to mark the handing over or…

Keynote Address By The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At the Official Opening of Adam and Eve Spa On May 15, 2024 ________________________________________________________________ Thank you very much, Kamila, for your wonderful mastery of the ceremony so far. You've been very efficient, and I propose to continue in that vein with the delivery of my own comments. Let me acknowledge Dr Andre Haughton for his very efficient statements as well. And Julian, I think it's time that you go to the NHT. While you're at it, you should just say thank you. And of course, to our host Garth and Kimisha; thank you so much for the invitation. I have no apologies for the efforts that we made during COVID. We certainly believe it kept the nation safe, but I do however, understand that it did cause you some pain; but today you are stronger. My ministers, I've greeted Minister Grange and said, what are you doing here at a spa this hour of the day?  I know Minister Chuck has no reason to be here. And I know that a regular visit to the spa is our good friend Member of Parliament for the…

Keynote Address By The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At the 105th Jamaica Civil Service Association Annual General Meeting On May 30, 2024 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All dignitaries acknowledged, but you will understand the need for efficiency in the delivery of the presentation. My task is a difficult one coming after your very eloquent president. I did take a few notes, but I am not promising you that I will be able to respond to all the points you have raised. But before I do that, let me attempt to make some connections with this organization. First, by complimenting the executive for transforming this hall. The last time I was here it was quite different. In fact, when I came in, I had to say wait, is this the same place?  It's modernized and I think it is appropriately named after your past president. You will understand what I'm about to say and what I'm about to say is that I'm a civil service baby.  My mother spent over 33 years in the civil service, in fact, in the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and I spent a few summers working in that ministry and…

Labour day in Jamaica is recognized as a time to volunteer your labour for the upliftment of our communities. It is a time I personally look forward to because I love to lend a helping hand while interacting with community members. Today as we celebrate Labour Day 2024, under the theme "Ramp up di access…show you care”, our focus is on inclusion and support for our fellow Jamaicans with disabilities, the elderly, and the vulnerable. Our observance today is a call to action—a reminder of our collective responsibility to uplift every member of our community. I encourage every Jamaican to embrace the theme and participate in one of the many Labour Day projects taking place across the island. Volunteering on Labour Day and beyond is a tradition that reflects our shared values. Since 1938, Jamaican workers have left us a legacy of volunteerism and social activism. Your actions can make a difference in your community. For Labour Day this year, Municipal corporations across Jamaica were allocated a combined total of Fifty-Three Million Dollars ($53M) to support Labour Day projects. This investment underscores our commitment to making public spaces accessible to everyone, in line with the Disabilities Act, which came into…

Delaware State University Class of 2024 Commencement Speech Delivered by Most. Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, MP, PC Prime Minister of Jamaica May 10, 2024 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Back home in Jamaica when we greet friends, we say wha gwaan! So, wha gwaan Delaware State! Thank you so much for that kind introduction and welcome. I feel I am among friends. Allow me to salute Chairman Leroy Tice and other members of the Board of Trustees, the academic staff, and executive leadership of this great university and I thank you for this kind invitation and honor. Special thanks to your President, Dr. Tony Allen, a visionary, and inspirational leader. Dr. Allen has pursued cooperation with Jamaica and now hundreds of Jamaican students are accessing post graduate studies through Delaware State University. In fact, I understand 38 Jamaican students are in the 2024 graduating cohort. It is my great pleasure to have the opportunity to address this audience of: elected officials and other dignitaries on the platform, well wishers gathered, and of course, you, the DSU graduating class of 2024. We are all proud of your journey and achievement, and today we celebrate you! As a parent of college students myself, you will understand…

Keynote Address By The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At the Groundbreaking Ceremony Rio Cobre Water Treatment Plant St Catherine On March 14, 2024 _______________________________________ Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you very much. I don't want to break the protocol that has been established but I will say, today is a great day and I thank you all for coming. And I thank you for your patience because I was a little bit long in coming. As you probably would have already excused me because there were many things happening this morning for which I paid very close attention and indeed had to give direct attention to some issues. I see here, which I will make some specific observations. I want to acknowledge our Ambassador from the European Union, Marianne Van Steen.  You have been at many of our groundbreakings and handovers because the European Union continues to be a very solid partner for development in Jamaica. And our French Ambassador, Olivier Guyonvarch. Forgive me. Ambassador, thank you for coming. Vinci, of course, is a French company. Today is a great day as we gather to break ground for this significant project, the Rio Cobre…

Address By The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At High-Level CARICOM Meeting on Haiti On March 11, 2024 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr Chairman Colleagues Heads of Government Secretary Blinken Ministers of Foreign Affairs Specially invited guests Excellencies Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Jamaica and to this special meeting which our country is honoured to host. I want to thank you for your patience. And I would also like to thank the press for their patience, as we all see this meeting is a work in progress and I am happy to say that we are making progress. Despite sustained efforts and attempts made over time by Haitians, by members of CARICOM and by the international community to find a solution to the political security and humanitarian crisis, the situation in Haiti continues to worsen on the ground, especially for the last few weeks. Without recounting the disruptions and violence being experienced by ordinary Haitians through attacks on institutions and infrastructure, it is clear that Haiti is now at a tipping point. CARICOM and our regional partners are deeply concerned as are our international partners here present and beyond. CARICOM heads have been intensively engaged in discussion…

Keynote Address By The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At the Jamaica Stock Exchange 19th Regional Investment & Capital Markets Conference On January 23, 2024 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thank you, Michael, for establishing the protocol. It is a pleasure to be here at this, the 19th staging of the Regional Investments and Capital Markets Conference, the signature calendar event for the investment and capital markets industry.  Now, I have a long unbroken record of speaking at this conference and probably the only person to beat that is Gregory Fisher. This conference holds significant importance by uniting stakeholders, corporate executives, and national and regional Government leaders. Its purpose is to facilitate the exchange of information and explore current trends in the capital markets, as well as emerging products and services within this sector. The goal is to expand the market and encourage increased participation. Today, I stand before you to share the good news that Jamaica boasts the most favourable economic environment since gaining independence. We now have 10 consecutive quarters of economic growth since the pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, we had a long stretch of 20 consecutive quarters of economic growth. My government has established…