Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community
The Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community serves as the chief executive officer of the Community and leads its primary administrative arm, the CARICOM Secretariat. This pivotal role ensures that the strategic visions of the Caribbean region are translated into actionable policies and administrative reality.
Key Facts
- Current Office Holder: Carla Barnett (Belize), elected in May 2021.
- Appointment: Appointed by the Conference of Heads of Government.
- Term Limit: A term not exceeding five years, with the possibility of reappointment.
- Official Residence: All Secretaries-General reside at Colgrain House in Georgetown, Guyana.
- Legal Basis: Governed by the Original and Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Appointment and Governance
The selection of the Secretary-General is a formal process rooted in the region's founding legal frameworks. According to the Original and Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (the foundational agreements establishing the community), the Secretary-General is appointed by the Conference of Heads of Government. This appointment is made based on the recommendation of the Community Council of Ministers, which previously functioned as the Common Market Council under the Original Treaty.
The appointee serves a term of up to five years. To ensure continuity or provide new leadership, the Conference of Heads of Government maintains the authority to reappoint the Secretary-General for subsequent terms.
Core Functions and Responsibilities
The Secretary-General operates under the direction of the Community's Organs and follows established regulations to execute a wide array of diplomatic and administrative duties. These responsibilities are essential for the cohesion of the member states.
Administrative and Strategic Leadership
- Representation: Acting as the official representative of the Community.
- Proposal Development: Transforming decisions made by competent Organs into implementable proposals.
- Resource Mobilization: Identifying and securing external resources to fund regional decisions and conducting studies to refine policy proposals.
- Implementation: Executing regional decisions to achieve Community objectives and implementing specific decisions within Member States, provided they do not require national legislative or administrative action and have the state's consent.
Monitoring and Initiative
- Oversight: Monitoring the progress of Community decisions and reporting on their implementation.
- Innovation: Initiating and developing new proposals for the competent Organs to consider in pursuit of regional goals.
- General Mandates: Performing any other duties assigned by the Conference or other competent Organs.
CARICOM Leadership Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Secretary-General | Carla Barnett (Belize) |
| Predecessor | Irwin LaRocque (Dominica) |
| Appointment Authority | Conference of Heads of Government |
| Administrative Seat | Colgrain House, Georgetown, Guyana |
| Maximum Term Length | 5 Years |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community?
The current Secretary-General is Carla Barnett of Belize, who was elected to the position in May 2021.
How is the Secretary-General appointed?
The Secretary-General is appointed by the Conference of Heads of Government following a recommendation from the Community Council of Ministers.
Where is the official residence of the Secretary-General?
All Secretaries-General, including those from the era of the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA), have resided at Colgrain House on Camp Street in Georgetown, Guyana.
What is the maximum term for a Secretary-General?
The Secretary-General is appointed for a term not exceeding five years, though they may be reappointed by the Conference.
What legal documents govern the role of the Secretary-General?
The role is governed by the Original Treaty of Chaguaramas and the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.