UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has conveyed congratulations to Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, Governor-General of Saint Lucia, marking the Caribbean nation’s Independence Day and reaffirming diplomatic ties between Abu Dhabi and Castries.In a formal message, Sheikh Mohamed extended his best wishes to the Governor-General and to the people of Saint Lucia as the island state commemorates its independence from the United Kingdom in 1979. The annual observance on 22 February celebrates the country’s sovereignty and its progress as a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth.
Vice-President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Vice-President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan also sent similar messages to Governor-General Charles and to Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, underlining the UAE leadership’s recognition of Saint Lucia’s national day and its broader engagement with Caribbean states.
Saint Lucia, with a population of just over 180,000, occupies a strategic position in the eastern Caribbean Sea and is a member of the Caribbean Community and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. Since gaining independence, it has maintained a Westminster-style parliamentary system, with the Governor-General serving as the representative of the British monarch and the Prime Minister heading the elected government.
Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles assumed office as Governor-General in November 2021, succeeding Sir Neville Cenac. His tenure has focused on social development, youth engagement and strengthening institutional governance, while Prime Minister Pierre’s administration has prioritised economic resilience, climate adaptation and post-pandemic recovery for the tourism-dependent economy.
Diplomatic exchanges on national days are customary in international relations, yet they also reflect evolving networks of cooperation. Over the past decade, the UAE has expanded its engagement with small island developing states, including those in the Caribbean, through development assistance, renewable energy projects and multilateral collaboration.
Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company Masdar has previously worked with Caribbean partners on clean energy initiatives, while the UAE-Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund, launched in 2017 with a commitment of $50 million, has financed solar and wind projects across several island nations. Although Saint Lucia has pursued its own renewable energy goals, including geothermal exploration and solar expansion, regional cooperation frameworks supported by Gulf states have been seen as an avenue for accelerating energy transition in climate-vulnerable economies.
Climate change remains a defining challenge for Saint Lucia. Rising sea levels, stronger hurricanes and coastal erosion pose direct risks to infrastructure, tourism and agriculture. The island has repeatedly called for enhanced climate financing and equitable access to global funds. The UAE’s hosting of COP28 in Dubai in 2023 reinforced its profile as a stakeholder in climate diplomacy, particularly with developing and island nations seeking adaptation support.
Trade between the UAE and Saint Lucia remains modest, reflecting geographical distance and the scale of the Caribbean economy. However, both countries share membership in multilateral forums, including the United Nations, where small island states have advocated for reforms in global financial architecture to address debt burdens and disaster vulnerability. Diplomatic goodwill messages on occasions such as Independence Day provide opportunities to reaffirm mutual respect and explore areas of collaboration in education, technology and sustainable development.
Saint Lucia’s Independence Day is marked by parades, cultural events and official ceremonies highlighting national identity and achievements since 1979. The country has produced two Nobel laureates—economist Sir Arthur Lewis and poet Derek Walcott—an accomplishment often cited with pride given its small population. Economic growth has fluctuated over the decades, shaped by shifts from banana exports to tourism and services, and by external shocks ranging from global recessions to hurricanes.
Prime Minister Pierre has emphasised social protection and fiscal consolidation, while seeking to attract investment and diversify the economy. Regional integration through CARICOM remains central to Saint Lucia’s external strategy, alongside partnerships with North America, Europe and emerging economies.
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