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Twenty-five years ago, Saint Lucia took the bold and courageous step of venturing into the international arena, and taking on responsibility for charting its own destiny and shaping its own future. The international community then was a welcoming and accommodating one; we could rely on old friendships even while we made new acquaintances. We could rely on special and preferential treatment, on cheerful donors and helping and willing strangers.

Since then, the world has changed in many ways. In this the twenty-fifth year of our independence, the international community focuses on competitiveness, even as it speaks of inclusiveness, and countries, whether large or small, are measured by common standards; their performance assessed by common criteria. While it is reasonable to expect that we would have grown up as an independent country over this last quarter of a century, we are still relatively young as nations go. Our efforts therefore need to be more focused and structured, more sustained and disciplined, to allow us not simply to survive or to keep the gains that we have made, but to function in the international environment of today and that of tomorrow.

We have done very well as a young nation. We have made contributions to the international community far beyond what could be expected of a country of our size. We can be justly proud of our achievements. But we need to redouble our efforts in the days ahead, to build on our successes, to ensure our viability as a sovereign independent country.

I extend warmest congratulations to all Saint Lucians, at home and abroad, in the Silver Jubilee Year of our independence, and on this joyous occasion, I invite all to celebrate our country, our people, our achievements. May God’s blessings be with us as we continue to work, individually and collectively, towards the peace and prosperity that we all long for.

Happy anniversary.

Dame Pearlette Louisy Governor-General