Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has been awarded one of Suriname’s most prestigious honors, the Grand Cordon in the Order of the Palm, in recognition of her leadership within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and her contributions to strengthening ties between the two nations.
President Chandrikapersad Santokhi presented the award to Mottley during a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Paramaribo, highlighting her visionary leadership and dedication to regional unity since taking office in 2018.
“Mottley’s unwavering adherence to the principles of the Caribbean community has been a beacon of progress,” Santokhi stated. “Her leadership in transforming Barbados into a republic demonstrates her commitment to sovereignty and self-determination.”
Under Mottley’s leadership, the relationship between Barbados and Suriname has flourished, with the two countries signing a strategic dialogue and cooperation platform in 2022. The agreement, aimed at enhancing collaboration in areas such as agriculture, trade, and tourism, exemplifies Mottley’s focus on fostering regional integration through the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
“Mottley’s efforts have been crucial in promoting economic cooperation, free movement, and shared prosperity within the region,” Santokhi noted.
Mia Mottley: A climate change leader
Prime Minister Mottley has emerged as a global champion for climate action, spotlighting the urgent challenges facing small island states. Her powerful speeches, including a notable address at the 2021 United Nations General Assembly, have drawn international attention to the existential threat of climate change.
“Our world knows not what it is gambling with, and if we don’t control this fire, it will burn us all down,” she warned in her UN speech, urging immediate action. Her advocacy earned her the United Nations’ Champions of the Earth Award in 2021, the UN’s highest environmental honor.
Mottley’s administration has implemented ambitious policies, including a plan to phase out fossil fuels by 2030 and a nationwide initiative to plant over one million trees to enhance food security and climate resilience. Additionally, her leadership spurred Latin America and the Caribbean to adopt the Action Plan for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, which aims to reverse environmental degradation.
In 2022, Mottley hosted a landmark retreat in Barbados with senior United Nations and International Monetary Fund officials, alongside other global figures, to address climate financing. This effort resulted in the “Bridgetown Agenda,” a roadmap for reforming international financial systems to better address climate and development issues.
“Mottley’s leadership is a beacon of inspiration,” Santokhi said. “Her commitment to unity, development, and the environment extends far beyond our region.”
Since becoming Barbados’ first female prime minister in 2018, Mottley has cemented her legacy as a transformative leader, earning widespread recognition for her visionary policies and regional diplomacy.
She is widely regarded as a potential successor to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, underscoring her influence on both the Caribbean and global stages.
