Salutations
Her Excellency the Governor General
Colleague Ministers His Excellency
Dr. Edwin Carrington
Ladies and gentlemen
On Wednesday this week, several of us, representing the people and governments of many Caribbean nations, gathered in Barbados to pay tribute to an outstanding son of the region, who sadly has passed on.
This morning we gather here to pay tribute to another outstanding Caribbean son. Happily, this time, we are doing so while he is alive.
Dr. Edwin Carrington has been a cornerstone of Caribbean regional integration for more than twenty years. I say more than 20 years, because, while he has been Secretary General since 1992, before then he served as a technician employed to the CARICOM Secretariat.
Earlier this year when he advised Heads of Government of his intention to retire from the position of Secretary General of the Caribbean Community at the end of this year, I recalled his many instances of support and advice to me in my capacity as Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.
I took up duties as Chairman of CARICOM as soon as the United Progressive Party Administration was first elected to office in 2004. Edwin Carrington’s vast reservoir of knowledge and abilities was immediately placed at my disposal, as he expertly guided me though the many tasks and responsibilities of the Chairmanship.
With his able assistance Antigua and Barbuda acquitted itself well in that assignment.
As I have pointed out to him before, his consistent and tireless efforts to build a strong and effective Community for the people of the Caribbean region and for generations to come, has been a shining example of professionalism and dedication.
Secretary-General, your tenure at the helm of the Region’s administrative machinery has been marked by many significant achievements for our people. The successful revision of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market, the inauguration of the Caribbean Court of Justice, and the creation of the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS are but a few. We are now well on our way towards the creation of a single economic space, which is essential for the future prosperity of our Region and its people.
In CARICOM you have followed in the footsteps of other great Caribbean icons of regional integration and development. You are also bequeathing to the present and future generations of Caribbean people, an exemplary legacy of outstanding public service and selfless regional commitment.
Prior to your assignment at the CARICOM Secretariat, your bold leadership of the tri-regional African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group, first as Deputy Secretary General then as Secretary General, brought tremendous benefit to Antigua and Barbuda and the rest of the Caribbean region.
You have been an advocate and friend working tirelessly in the interest of the development of our country and our Region. We have been fortunate beneficiaries of your training and experience in diplomacy and economic development.
It is in recognition of your outstanding and far-reaching contribution to the diplomatic efforts of our country and to its economic development, as well as for your distinguished service to our Caribbean Community, that the Government and people Antigua and Barbuda are pleased to bestow on you today, this award, which is one of our country’s highest.
You are indeed deserving of the award of Knight Commander (ad honorem) of the Most Distinguished Order of the Nation (KCN).
The Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda are honoured by your gracious acceptance of this genuine gesture of our profound appreciation for your work, efforts and support to our small, but proud nation.
We know that we join several of our sister CARICOM countries, other nations of the world, and several organizations, which have seen it fit to suitably recognise your stellar achievements.
However, I believe no one of them is more pleased and honoured than we, the people and Government of Antigua and Barbuda are, to salute you, Sir Edwin Wilberforce Carrington.
Contact: piu@caricom.org