(CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown, Guyana) Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), His Excellency Edwin Carrington walked into a surprise reception held in his honour to celebrate his recent achievement of being conferred with Trinidad and Tobago’s highest national honour, the Trinity Cross. The reception, hosted by CARICOM Secretariat staffers in Georgetown on Friday 2 September, featured vocal renditions performed by staff who entertained invitees including members of the Diplomatic Corps, officials of the Guyana Government and other State agencies. Delivering brief congratulatory remarks, CARICOM’s Deputy Secretary-General, Ambassador Lolita Applewhaite told Mr. Carrington that staff of the Secretariat share the joy of his “sterling achievement.” Ambassador Applewhaite added, “Your life’s accomplishments will continue to inspire us as we work together to achieve our Community’s most worthy goals.” In extending well wishes on behalf of the Government of Guyana, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honorable Rudy Insanally described Mr. Carrington as “a Caribbean man in whose hands the Community will prosper.” Congratulatory messages were also conveyed by individuals, regional and international organisations. Responding to the gesture held in his honour, Mr. Carrington said he now feels a greater sense of responsibility to see the Region go forward, having received his homeland’s highest honour. He expressed gratitude to staff of the Secretariat for their support over the years, noting that the award is also in their honour. Touching on the various setbacks facing the Region in its drive to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), set out by United Nations, Mr. Carrington said the Region has much “ground to cover.” However, he expressed confidence in the Community’s future development backed by the collective efforts of citizens of the Region. The Secretary-General was conferred with the Trinity Cross award on Wednesday 31 August in the twin island Republic by President Maxwell Richards, for his outstanding contribution to national and regional development.
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