Afternoon members of the media, colleagues and Barbadians at home and abroad. Barbados, the countdown to 60 and five is on. And we have something incredibly special in store. Our entire team is excited. The ideas have been flowing, preparations taking shape, and today we want to share that excitement with you. As we all know, on 30th of November, we will mark 60 years of independence and 5 years as a republic. That is a moment to savor. Some Barbadians will remember the first raising our flag in 1966. For many of our children, this will be the first major national anniversary that they remember. We have an opportunity to give them memories that they will carry for the rest of their lives. We want Barbadians of every age and in every community to feel that there is a place for them in this celebration. Wherever you live, whatever your circumstances, this moment belongs to you. We're inviting you to share in it and more importantly to own it. There will be plenty to enjoy. From our music and our performance to the excitement of sport, we can look forward to the lights, the national colors, and the pride of seeing our people come together. We want families to make plans and friends to reconnect. We want Barbadians overseas to come home. And those who can't, we want you still to be able to feel a part of everything that's happening on the rock. Alongside that joy, we will honor the people whose courage and sacrifice brought us here. So much of our progress began with ordinary people determined to give their children a better life. Their achievement belongs to all of us. Barbados at 60 and five will embrace the whole of our story, including the painful chapters of enslavement and struggle. Our gifted artists and performers will bring that history to life with the sensitivity, dignity, and care it deserves. Through their talent, we will honor those who endured those hardships and celebrate the resilience that carried our people towards freedom and self-determination. We also recall the charge the prime minister gave us with the five beacons of renewal. Voices of accountability, guardians of cleanliness, agents of respect, creators of solutions, and embracing global citizenship. How fitting that call is as we celebrate 60 years of independence and 5 years since our rebirth as a republic. This moment gives us a chance to renew our pride in this country and our commitment to one another. We can carry this spirit into the way we care for our surroundings, keep our promises, and use our talents to make life better. So, let me give you a flavor of what we've been planning over the past weeks and months to make this a spectacular celebration with room for everyone to take part. Through Levy Paint Barbados and the National Cleanup campaign, we're inviting communities to brighten the places they call home. Imagine the difference neighbors can make when they get together to help someone paint a home or care for shared space. Barbados Day Fridays gives us another simple way to join in. Wear the colors, fly the flag. Let that pray be seen wherever you are. We also want to encourage a personal promise to Barbados. Your very own pledge to this nation, this nation that we love. It could be teaching a young person a skill, spending time with an elderly neighbor, or starting a family habit that brings everyone closer. Choose something that you know you can do that you know you can follow through with and invite somebody else to join you. A little of your time can mean the world to someone else. Those of us in leadership also have our part to play alongside everybody else. We will be there doing the work and listening. Our young people must have room to bring their ideas, their own ideas through my voice bar my Barbados and the wider conversations around this anniversary. We want to hear what matters to them and what they want this country to look like in the next 10, 15, 20 years. Their voices belong to the national story today. Of course, there's much more to share. Our celebrations will culminate in November with a full program of national activities that includes our lighting ceremony, the bridging the gap lecture series, the amazing food and rum festival, the spirit of the nation show, the national service of thanksgiving and the nfka gala. We will also have the ideas forum and historical commemorations, the independence and republic concert, our national ceremonial parade, the presentation of national honors, our toast to the nation, and the widely anticipated prime minister's football cup finals. This is not government's calendar. This is your calendar. There's more than enough room for your events. We welcome schools, businesses, churches, and community organizations. is bringing their own activities forward. Your creativity can help make the celebration feel at home in every parish. I also encourage Barbadians to nominate people whose service deserves national recognition. We all know someone who has quietly made life better for others. This anniversary gives us an opportunity to say thank you. To our media colleagues, thank you for helping carry this invitation across Barbados and beyond. Help us to find those stories of people making a difference. Let the country see itself in this celebration. When November ends, I hope we will have wonderful photographs and memories. I hope too that we will have stronger friendships, communities that feel closer and young Barbadians who feel more certain of their place in our country. Now, that would be an anniversary worth remembering. So, let us enjoy it. Bring your family, bring an IDA, find your place and make your contribution to this nation we love. I now want to invite my colleagues to share in the details of this activities taking us through to the 30th of November. We will hear from the honorable Shane Archer, the minister with responsibility for youth and culture. We hear from Miss El McGre, the cabinet secretary, and we will hear from my co-chair, Miss Tara Trotman, who will assume this role come next year. Barbadus at 60 and five belongs to all of us. Let us own it. Let us own it together. May God continue to bless our people and our nation. I thank you. Good afternoon everyone. We're excited to share a little more about four parts of our 60 and five celebration. As we mark 60 years of independence and five years as a republic, there's something here for everyone. Our anniversary logo brings the 60 and five together beneath a rising golden trident. With the pride of Barbados flower at its base in blue and gold, it celebrates our national identity and looks confidently towards the future. We want Barbadians to feel proud to carry this logo. Levy Paint Barbados will help us brighten our homes for less. Harris Paints will offer savings of up to 30% with selected products at 60% off on designated days. Sharon Williams will offer 30 to 60% off selected paints. These discounts from both Harris and Sherin Williams will begin on Monday, September 21st. These offers are open to everyone living in Barbados. We also welcome the 7th Day Adventist Church's offer to provide labor for 60 homes. Let us help a neighbor and make that pride visible in our communities. Through my voice, my Barbados primary, secondary, and tertiary education students will share their ideas and vision for our country in a national orary competition. We want to hear what matters to them and give their voices a place in this whole celebration. The Prime Minister's Cup brings another exciting first this year with a women's competition and a first prize of $100,000. It gives our women footballers a bigger stage while the cup continues to bring community communities together and create opportunities for players and our vendors alike. The final on November 30th will help round off our 60 and five celebrations. So find your place, bring your family, and let's help make this celebration one that we will all share. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As we commemorate 60 years of independence and 5 years as a republic, we're reminded that the story of Barbados is ultimately the story of its people. those who have served, sacrificed, led, created, cared, and worked often quietly and without expectation of recognition to build this beautiful nation. One of the most meaningful ways in which we as a grateful nation can say thank you is through the confirmment of national honors and decorations. This year, therefore, we invite Barbadians at home and throughout the diaspora to help us identify those whose service and achievements, as well as their contributions, merit national recognition. Nominations are now open for the 2026 National Independence Honors, which recognize outstanding achievement and meritorious service across all areas of national life. I particularly encourage Barbadians to look beyond the familiar names. Look within your communities, professions, churches, schools, sporting organizations, and voluntary groups. Think of the teachers who have shaped generations. The community workers who have served quietly for decades. The artists who have preserved our culture. the entrepreneur who has created opportunities, the public or protective services officer who has exemplified duty, or the Barbadian whose contribution has brought distinction to our country. National recognition should embrace not only those whose achievements are widely known, but all those whose service has been quitely extraordinary. This historic year also brings a special opportunity for recognition. The Barbados Diamond Anniversary Honor has been established to commemorate the 60th anniversary of independence and the fth anniversary of Barbados becoming a republic. The honor will recognize distinguished and exceptional service and achievement that has contributed significantly to national development and nation building across such areas as public service, education, health, business, culture, sports, community development, science and technology, national security, charitable service, and the Barbadian diaspora. Eligible nominees must be citizens of Barbados who have demonstrated distinguished or sustained service, integrity, leadership, exemplary conduct of exceptional ach or exceptional achievement. Persons who already hold a national honor or decoration are not eligible for the Barbados Diamond anniversary honor. And I will repeat that persons who already hold a national honor or decoration are not eligible for the Barbados Diamond Anniversary Honor. My appeal this evening is really simple. Do not assume that someone else will make the nomination. If you know a Barbadian whose life and work embodies service, resilience, compassion, excellence, and commitment to country. Nominate that person. That invitation extends equally to our diaspora. We want to recognize Barbadians abroad who have presented our country with distinction, supported communities at home, opened doors for others, and carry the values of Barbados wherever they have gone. Nominations for both the National Independence Honors and the Barbados Diamond Anniversary Honor close on Friday, September 25th, 2026. Applications may be submitted electronically through the government's online nomination form which will be promoted through the Barbados government information service and other government digital platforms. Persons requiring assistance may also contact us at cabinet office. At 60 and five, we have an opportunity not only to celebrate how far Barbados has come, but to recognize the people whose service has helped to bring us here. Somewhere in Barbados and somewhere in our diaspora is a person who has given years of service without seeking recognition, whose contribution has transformed lives and whose example reflects the very best of who we are. You may know that person. Let us ensure that in this historic year, those who have helped Barbados move upward and onwards know that their country sees them, values them, and is grateful for their service. Thank you. >> Good afternoon, Barbados. I am so excited and I want you to be as excited as well. As a true Beij would say, 60 years in 60 days. But as we celebrate our 60th year of independence, we are also celebrating our five years as a republic. And I want to appeal to all young people out there. Come out. Come out to the events. In fact, tell us what you would like to see and we will note it on our calendar of events because at the end of the day, we need to recognize those that came before us. those persons whose shoulders we stand on, those persons who fought for the rights that sometimes I must admit may we as young people take for granted today. But it's not only about history and the past. It's about the future. And it's about those 60 years that we have yet to come. So I want to see you out there. Come and celebrate with us. Come to the forum. Share your ideas. I'm sure you have lots of them. And let us celebrate this wonderful Jubilee anniversary together. Because at the end of the day, Barbados belongs to all of us. And this celebration is one for us all. >> Sorry. >> So members of the media, um, thank you. Thank you to all the other presenters. The floor is open for questions. >> No questions. >> Going once, going twice, gone. >> No, no, no. Can we >> Yeah. Everyone want to mention something? >> I guess. Can Can we just shout out Miss Amaya Thomas? Yes. So, we had I believe it was a competition. Correct. And Miss Miss Thomas, she was the winner. So, I want to congratulate her and give her a big shout out. Big shout out to you, Miss Amaya Thus. Congratulations and I'm sure we are all excited to launch and share this wonderful logo that you have created for us. Thank you. >> So, it was a call for designs and Miss Amaya Thomas' uh uh creation design was the one that was selected at the end of the process. Go ahead. So um I want to thank all who tuned in to watch. We will be publishing the actual calendar of events. Um I just want to make one thing really clear. I want to emphasize one thing. This is not the government's calendar of events. This is our this is Barbidas's calendar. This is your calendar is my calendar. So if you have events that represent the best of what Barbadis is, that tells our story, that take the national box, then please let us know and we will work with you to advertise your event and give it the publicity that it deserves to help it to be successful. Right? For this 60th and fifth, we are in this together. This is about Barbados. This is about us. This is about our republic. Thank you very much.