Constituency: North Central Windward
Portfolio: Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Legal Affairs, Tertiary Education
Telephone:(784) 456-1703
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Dr. Ralph Everard Gonsalves has served as the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines since March 29, 2001, making him one of the longest-serving heads of government in the Caribbean. A seasoned lawyer, academic, and politician, Dr. Gonsalves is known for his intellectual rigor, charismatic leadership, and deep commitment to Caribbean integration and national development.
Born on August 8, 1946, in Colonarie, Saint Vincent, Dr. Gonsalves was educated at several prestigious institutions. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Economics from the University of the West Indies (UWI), a Master’s in Government from UWI, and a Ph.D. in Government from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. He later completed his legal education at the University of the West Indies and the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica.
Before entering full-time politics, Dr. Gonsalves lectured in political science, published scholarly works, and practiced law. His political career began in the 1970s, and he became leader of the Unity Labour Party (ULP) in 1994. Under his leadership, the ULP won the general elections in 2001, and he has since been re-elected to consecutive terms in 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020.
As Prime Minister, Dr. Gonsalves has focused on education reform, poverty reduction, infrastructure development, regional diplomacy, and social justice. He is also a passionate advocate for climate change action, reparations for slavery, and the sovereignty of small island developing states.
Dr. Gonsalves is married to Eloise Gonsalves, and they have five children. In both regional and international forums, he remains a prominent voice for the Caribbean and the Global South.