2025 New Year’s Message from the Honourable Mark A. G. Brantley, Premier of Nevis

A New Year’s Message of Hope and Unity

The dawn of a new year brings with it a renewed sense of possibility and hope. It is a time for reflection on the past and a commitment to positive change in the future. As we embark on this new chapter, let us embrace the promise of 2025 with courage, determination, and resilience, seeking strength to endure and overcome challenges while fostering creativity and unity.

The past year has been marked by both significant achievements and formidable challenges. We celebrate milestones like the completion of the Solar Desalination Plant, the opening of a new international bank, infrastructure improvements, medical advancements, and cultural successes, including the historic 50th anniversary of the Culturama Festival. However, we also faced the harsh realities of climate change, with extreme weather conditions impacting our agriculture and infrastructure. The global economic climate brought high inflation, affecting the cost of essential goods and reducing purchasing power.

Despite these challenges, the government worked diligently to improve the lives of its citizens, accelerating socioeconomic progress and enhancing the island’s infrastructure. Wages and salaries increased, job creation expanded, and advancements were made in education, health, housing, and other essential sectors. The recently presented budget focuses on continued growth, entrepreneurship, and opportunity, garnering praise from local, regional, and international partners.

Looking ahead to 2025, the government will prioritize job creation, education, health, agriculture, national security, housing, and social services. The focus will be on economic transformation through diversification, expanding micro, small, and medium enterprises, and attracting large-scale investments. The commitment remains to deliver a better life for all citizens, fostering a harmonious and inclusive society where individuals can thrive and reach their full potential.

However, societal progress requires collective effort. The erosion of social values and norms, coupled with changes in lifestyle, has contributed to anti-social behavior and crime. Addressing these issues requires a united front, with parents, teachers, churches, civil society, and the government working together to instill positive values and guide the development of the next generation. We must all share the responsibility of creating a peaceful, prosperous, and progressive nation.

The new year promises both opportunities and challenges. While we may face obstacles, our spirits must remain resolute. Challenges should fuel our collective determination and strengthen our faith in each other and our country. Embracing a spirit of hope and optimism is crucial to overcoming adversity. Drawing upon the resilience demonstrated throughout our history, we can persevere through any storm. With confidence in our community and our people, we can face the future with courage and conviction, working together to build a brighter tomorrow.

Let 2025 be a year of unity and purpose. While differences of opinion are inevitable in a democracy, we must focus on our shared values and work towards the common good. Let us engage in respectful dialogue, avoiding vitriol and hatred, and ensure that our collective voices advocate for national progress, not destruction. By learning from the past and striving for a better future, we can create opportunities, embrace them wholeheartedly, and build a nation where every citizen can flourish. This requires a collaborative approach driven by national unity and pride, enabling us to achieve both individual and national goals. May we remain unified in our shared love for our bountiful nation and work together to realize its full potential.