Mia Mottley

Mia Mottley was born on October 1, 1965. Her birth marked the beginning of a remarkable political career that would later see her become the Prime Minister of Barbados.

Mia Mottley introduced constitutional changes in 1966 that abolished Barbados' constitutional monarchy, paving the way for the country's transition to a republican system. This marked a significant shift in Barbados' political structure.

Mia Mottley entered Barbadian politics in 1991, contesting in an election race in St. Michael North East. Although she faced a narrow defeat, this marked the beginning of her political career.

In September 1994, Mia Mottley was appointed as the Minister of Education, Youth Affairs and Culture, becoming one of the youngest Barbadians to hold a ministerial portfolio at the age of 29.

In 1996, Mia Mottley was elected as the General Secretary of the Barbados Labour Party, marking a significant milestone in her political career.

In August 2001, Mia Mottley was appointed as the Attorney-General of Barbados and Minister of Home Affairs, becoming the first female to hold this position in Barbados.

On 19 January 2008, Mia Mottley was elected as the leader of the Barbados Labour Party, making history as the first woman to lead the party.

Mia Mottley was sworn in as the Opposition Leader on 7 February 2008, promising to lead a strong and unified Opposition fighting for the rights of all citizens in Barbados.

On 18 October 2010, Mia Mottley was ousted as Leader of the Opposition following a vote of no-confidence by five of her parliamentary colleagues.

Following the February 2013 general election, Mia Mottley was elected as the Leader of the Opposition by the BLP parliamentary group, replacing Arthur.

After the 24 May 2018 general election, Mia Mottley became the first female Prime Minister of Barbados, leading the BLP to win the biggest majority government in Barbadian history.

On 27 September 2019, Mia Mottley addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, delivering a 39-minute speech focused on climate change and its effects on Barbados and other Caribbean nations.

In the 2020 Throne Speech, Prime Minister Mottley's government revealed the intention to remove the Queen of Barbados as the country's sovereign and head of state, aiming to transition Barbados into a republic by the 55th anniversary of its independence on 30 November 2021.

On the Day of National Significance in Barbados, Prime Minister Mottley announced that the country's cabinet had agreed to proceed with the transition to a parliamentary republic by 30 November 2021.

Mottley delivered a passionate speech at the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing the need for global, moral leadership in addressing climate change, economic inequality, racism, and unfair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

Incumbent governor-general, Dame Sandra Mason, was nominated as the candidate for the country's first president and subsequently elected on 20 October 2021, taking office on 30 November 2021.

Following her party's landslide victory in the 2022 election, Mottley was inaugurated for a second term as prime minister on 20 January.

Mottley was reported to have tested positive for COVID-19, with a media statement confirming it as a mild case and indicating that she was doing well.

Mottley convened a retreat in Barbados with various international figures to lay out the 'Bridgetown Agenda', offering practical solutions to reform the international financial system in connection with halting climate change.

Mottley delivered the inaugural Kofi Annan Memorial Lecture, focusing on global issues and perspectives from the Global South, in partnership with several prominent organizations.

In November 2022, Mia Mottley was honored with the Global Leadership Award by the United Nations Foundation, acknowledging her outstanding leadership in advocating for a fair, inclusive, and sustainable world.