Mark Drakeford has thanked the people of Wales for their sacrifices during the coronavirus pandemic and pledged to create a "stronger, fairer and greener Wales" in his St David's Day address.
The first minister gave a video message as people across the country celebrate its patron saint on Tuesday, March 1.
In his message Mr Drakeford wished people a happy St David's Day and hailed the coinciding of the day with the start of spring.
"It's that time of year when nature's colour starts to reappear after the long winter months. A time to look forward with hope for the future," he said, adding that this was especially true as Wales hoped to "leave the worst of the pandemic behind us".
Thanking people for the sacrifices they had made over the past two years, Mr Drakeford said Wales was "working hard to create a stronger, fairer and greener Wales."
He said: "It's been difficult two years, during which we've all made sacrifices to keep each other safe. And I wanted to thank everyone for everything you've done, to look after and to protect one another.
"As we move forward, we are working hard to create that stronger, fairer and greener Wales in which nobody is held back.
"A country where people don't have to choose between putting food on the table or heating their homes... where everyone is welcome.
"And a Wales where our children can achieve their dreams and ambitions without thinking they have to move away in order to succeed.
"These aims I'm sure, David himself would have agreed with and as we celebrate St David's Day this year, wherever we are in the world, let's all do a little something to brighten up someone else's day.
"We can call them random acts of Welshness. Mwynhewch. Enjoy the celebrations."
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