• Visit the CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters

Who we are

The CARICOM Secretariat is the principal administrative organ of the Community and is headed by a Secretary General who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Community.

Mission Statement of the Secretariat: To provide dynamic leadership and service in partnership with Community Institutions and groups, toward the attainment of a viable, internationally competitive and sustainable Community, with improved quality of life for all.

Offices and Directorates:

Offices Secretary-General Deputy Secretary-General General Counsel

Directorates Foreign and Community Relations Human and Social Development Trade and Economic Integration

Together these positions comprise the Executive Management of the Organisation and are responsible for the strategic management and direction of the Organisation and for working closely with the Councils and their Chairpersons to promote the implementation of decisions.


The main functions of the Secretariat are:

• Initiate or develop proposals for consideration and decision by the relevant Organs



• Initiate, organise and conduct studies
  
  
• Provide, on request, services to Member States on Community-related matters



• Service meetings of the Organs and Bodies of the Community and take appropriate follow-up action on decisions taken



• Collect, store and disseminate relevant information to Member States



• Assist Community Organs in the development and implementation of proposals and programmes



• Mobilise resources from donor agencies to assist in the implementation of Community Programmes
  
  
• Prepare the draft Work Programme and Budget of the Secretariat for examination by the Budget Committee



• Provide, on request, technical assistance to national authorities to facilitate implementation of Community decisions; and



• Conduct, as mandated, fact-finding assignments in Member States

Secretary-General

The current Secretary-General is Edwin W. Carrington (Trinidad and Tobago) who was appointed in 1992.

Organisational Structure as at 13 February 2009
 

Former Secretaries-General of the Community are:

William Demas (Trinidad and Tobago) 1973 - 1974
Alister McIntyre (Grenada) 1974 - 1977
Dr Kurleigh King (Barbados) 1979 - 1983
Roderick Rainford (Jamaica) 1983 - 1992