On August 12, 2026, officials from St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and Taiwan gathered in Taipei for a celebratory cocktail reception, marking a landmark 45 years of uninterrupted diplomatic relations between the two nations. SVG Prime Minister Godwin Friday — leading a nine-member official delegation on his first intercontinental trip since winning election last November — and Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te both delivered keynote remarks reaffirming their shared commitment to upholding and expanding the bilateral partnership.
Friday opened his remarks by noting the deep roots of the connection, pointing out that diplomatic ties were established just two years after SVG gained full independence in 1979. “You have been with us as friends almost from the moment we took our first steps as a young nation,” Friday told the gathered crowd of Taiwanese government officials, foreign diplomats, and SVG nationals residing in Taiwan. “And tonight, 45 years later, we are still here together stronger than ever. That deserves celebration.”
The SVG prime minister reflected on the vast shifts that have reshaped the global landscape since 1981, noting that both nations have evolved for the better despite shared challenges. He praised Taiwan’s remarkable progress over the decades, highlighting its rise as a global technology powerhouse, robust economic growth, thriving democratic institutions, advanced healthcare system, and highly skilled, well-educated population. “These things were not given to you, nor did you inherit them. You harnessed your individual and collective intellect, you worked very hard, you planned carefully and invested wisely in your people, especially the young, to build a society that you can now deservedly enjoy,” Friday said.
Friday emphasized that while formal diplomatic relations began with a signed agreement, the transformation of that bond into a genuine, resilient partnership required consistent commitment and deliberate action from leaders on both sides. Over the past four and a half decades, successive administrations from both countries have worked to keep the partnership relevant and beneficial for all citizens, he added, pointing to the 2019 opening of SVG’s permanent embassy in Taipei as a key milestone that cemented the two nations’ commitment to deeper people-to-people and governmental ties. He recognized the work of SVG’s current Ambassador to Taipei Kenton Chance and his team for advancing the bilateral relationship and supporting SVG citizens living in Taiwan.
Addressing the resilience of the partnership, Friday noted that strong relationships are tested most during challenging periods, and SVG has remained unwavering in its diplomatic support for Taiwan across all global contexts. He highlighted that the relationship has long expanded beyond formal state-to-state diplomacy, encompassing deep people-to-people connections: Vincentian students studying and building careers in Taiwan, Taiwanese technical experts sharing specialized skills with local communities across SVG, and countless cross-national personal and family friendships built over 45 years. “A country on the other side of the world need not be strangers and need not feel so far away,” Friday observed of these interpersonal bonds.
Looking ahead to the next five years leading up to the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Friday laid out a clear vision for expanding cooperation. He expressed hope that by the 2029 golden jubilee celebration, the two nations will have fostered new forms of institutional collaboration, created new business opportunities that drive shared prosperity, and expanded youth exchange programs that allow the next generations to exchange ideas and solve emerging global challenges together.
Responding to Friday’s remarks at the reception, President Lai echoed the commitment to broadening bilateral ties, stating that he and Prime Minister Friday are both fully determined to expand the scope of the friendship between the two nations and build an even more productive future over the next 45 years. Friday added that throughout the past 45 years, the two nations have stood together in moments of triumph and extended mutual support during times of crisis, from natural disasters to periods of global economic uncertainty. “It is good and reassuring to know that we can count on one another when it matters most,” Friday said, closing by thanking Taiwan for its long-standing partnership and expressing shared optimism for a brighter future for both nations.