PM Friday to deliver his first UN General Assembly address 

By Admin. Updated 5:37 p.m., Friday, September 18, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

Prime Minister Dr Godwin Friday will next week deliver his first address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as Head of Government, marking a significant milestone since taking office following his election victory last November.

Friday, who was sworn in as Prime Minister on November 28, 2025 after his New Democratic Party won 14 of the 15 parliamentary seats in the November 27 general election, will lead this country’s delegation to the High-Level Week of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York from September 18 to 27.

His participation will include his inaugural address to the General Debate of the General Assembly, where world leaders outline their countries’ priorities and positions on major international issues. This year’s session is being held under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all.”

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Friday’s programme will focus on issues affecting St Vincent and the Grenadines, including climate change, sustainable development, economic resilience, investment and international cooperation.

Among his scheduled engagements are the Climate Vulnerable Forum Leaders Meeting, where St Vincent and the Grenadines is expected to join the Climate Vulnerable Forum as a new member, the High-Level Event on Climate Action and the Just Transition, and a High-Level Plenary Meeting addressing the threats posed by sea level rise.

The Prime Minister is also expected to hold discussions with international partners, investors and fellow Heads of Government as part of efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties.

While in New York, Friday will participate in a Diaspora Outreach and Investment Forum organised in collaboration with Invest SVG. The forum is intended to encourage greater investment by Vincentians living abroad and strengthen the diaspora’s role in the country’s development.

He will also host a town hall meeting with Vincentians in New York, providing an opportunity to update members of the diaspora on the Government’s work and discuss how they can contribute to national development.

“We are going to New York to represent the interests of our people,” Friday said in a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

“Whether we are speaking about climate financing, investment, jobs, development or international cooperation, the question for us must always be: how does this help us make life better for Vincentians? Saint Vincent and the Grenadines must be present in these conversations, and we must be prepared to turn those conversations into opportunities for our people.”

Accompanying the Prime Minister will be Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment and Diaspora Affairs Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, Senator and Deputy Speaker Jemalie John, Senator Chelsea Alexander, Ambassador and Senior Advisor Kevin Hope, Senior Advisor on Diaspora Affairs Sharon Jones, Press Secretary Danielle Veira, Communications Officer Claris Ann Joseph, Administrative Cadet Shadeisha George and Head of the Prime Minister’s Security Detail, Corporal Desrick Quashi.

The delegation will also receive support in New York from St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Vynnette Frederick, and staff at the country’s Permanent Mission.

During Friday’s absence, Deputy Prime Minister Major St Clair Leacock will serve as acting Prime Minister.

END