(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Ambassador Irwin LaRocque has been selected to serve as the seventh Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) by the Heads of Government. Ambassador LaRocque, 56, a national of Dominica replaces His Excellency Sir Edwin Carrington of Trinidad and Tobago.
Ambassador LaRocque is the current Assistant Secretary-General for Trade and Economic Integration at the CARICOM Secretariat, having served in that post since September 2005.
Ambassador LaRocque was educated at Queen’s College, and the New School for Social Research, both in New York and New York University, majored in Political Philosophy, Political Economics and Economics respectively.
Prior to his appointment as Assistant Secretary-General, he served as Permanent Secretary in various Ministries in Dominica for more than fourteen years, including in the Ministries of Trade, Industry, Enterprise Development, Tourism, and Foreign Affairs, where he headed the diplomatic service. He also served as the principal advisor to the Government of Dominica on all matters pertaining to economic integration and regional and international trade.
He was Dominica’s senior policy adviser on the revision of the original Treaty of Chaguaramas and served on the CARICOM Inter-Governmental Task Force which drafted the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Ambassador LaRocque has a wealth of experience in management, public administration, economic development, trade, foreign affairs and diplomacy. During the period when Dominica underwent a structural adjustment programme, Ambassador LaRocque was a member of the Cabinet-appointed Public Sector Reform Task Force, which included the private sector, trade unions and non-governmental organisations, with responsibility for the overall management, planning and performance review of the public sector reform process. He also served as the Chairman of the Consultative Working Group, a public/private sector consultative and advisory committee appointed by the Dominica Cabinet, with focus on the enabling environment for private sector development and growth.
He has served on several Boards, including those of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, Caribbean Export, the Dominica Agricultural, Industrial and Development Bank, and the Dominica National Development Corporation.
As Assistant Secretary-General, he has provided strategic leadership for the continuing implementation and further development of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), as well as the Sectoral Programmes of the Community including agriculture, services, industry and energy.
Ambassador LaRocque has managed diplomatic negotiations with third countries and international development partners which required political acumen for successful completion. He has testified, on behalf of the Community, before the US International Trade Commission on trade relations between the Caribbean and the US with emphasis on extending and expanding the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI).
He is currently the Co-Chair of the US-CARICOM Trade and Investment Council and is leading the negotiations with the United States Trade Representative Office for a new Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.
He has gained considerable experience with the European arrangements through his involvement in developing and negotiating with the Commission of the European Union, development assistance under the European Development Fund.
Ambassador LaRocque’s experience in national public sector reform will be critical in the reform and restructuring process of the CARICOM Secretariat, which is currently in progress.
Ambassador LaRocque has served and had a close working relationship with several Prime Ministers of his homeland, and also in the Region by interacting with and providing advice to various Heads of Government and Cabinets in his capacity as Assistant Secretary General.
CARICOM Chairman Honourable Dr Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis in announcing the selection said: “My colleague Heads of Government and I believe that Ambassador LaRocque possesses the requisite skills of visionary leadership, courage and commitment required to guide the Community at this time of change and uncertainty.”
Secretary-General-designate LaRocque in his reaction expressed his deep appreciation for the confidence reposed in him by the Heads of Government.
“I am humbled and privileged for this opportunity to continue my service to the Governments and people of the Caribbean Community. As we strive towards the goal of a Community For All, the confidence of the Heads of Government, the support of the people of the Community and the committed staff of the CARICOM Secretariat are vital in achieving that objective.”
on the behalf of my family and i, i commend u on ur hard work.. congratulations and may the lord guide and bless u!! may no man judge.. U EARNED IT!!!!!
GREAT MAN!!! DETERMINED AND EXCELLENT FOR THE JOB.. CONGRATULATIONS U MAKE US ALL PROUD!!
Congratulations from your fellow Dominicans. You have made us extremely proud. You have also sent a clear message to our youth that big things are possible for them right here in the Caribbean. Thank you very much.
Congratulations!!!! This goes to show that with hard work and perseverence one can accomplish anything!
Very well done. This is a great day for the Caribbean. I am sure that Dominicans in particular are very proud. All the best Mr. LaRocque. God’d Blessings to you and your family.
PUBLIC OFFICER
Congratulations to Mr. Larocque,prominent Public Officer successful man. But behind every successful man there is a strong woman. God’s blessings always.
I am so proud of you.
some fresh news from dominica for dominica. remain steadfast and simple as you have been
Excellent News! Congratulations Mr LaRocque. Wishing you great success in this challenging position. All the best
Congratulations Mr. Larocque. As my former PS, I have always looked up to you. I have no doubt about your exemplary commitment to duty which has brought you to this level. My prayers to you and your family.
That is excellent news! Congratulations Mr LaRocque. Wishing you great success given the challenges ahead.
Congrats Mr. LaRocque, we are all proud of you and know you will do very well in your new capacity.
yes!!!!! Phenomenal. Congrats
This is a very proud moment for not only Dominica but the smaller non recognised islands in the Caribbean…C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S….
Congratulations Mr. Laroque. Another Dominican has made it big. We are al proud of your achievements. Dominica certainly have what it takes to function at an international level. We now turn to capture the position at PAHO
This is Great News for Dominica. Congratulations Uncle, I know you will do Big things for Caricom.
Excellent!!! I am indeed proud as a Dominican for Mr. LaRocque…. Congratulations Sir!!!
Congrats, make Dominica nad the Caribbean proud with hard work and getting things done
Congratulations Sir.
Your kids must be proud of their father.
As a Dominican am glad.However,caricom needs to do more to ensur that it’s raw materias,be it agricultural or forest products are manufactured in the region.Added value and more employment goes a longway in creating wealth for the region,which in turn reduces poverty.
I wish to extend cordial congratulations and best wishes to His Excellency Mr. Larocque on his appointment as Ambassador of the Caribbean Community. May God continue to bless him with the wisdom to make a difference.
Congrats Mr LaRocque, perfect man for the job indeed…just who CARICOM needs at the helm rite now… i know u will make Dominica proud…an ensure that CARICOM moves forward…
As a Dominican i feel very proud at this moment. Mr. Larocque, CONGRATULATIONS!!! May the Almighty God continue to bless you and may you look to Him for continued guidance.
Peace
Congratulations to you, I wish you well in your new position. Dominica have brain boxes you know. CONGRATULATIONS son of the soul.
Congratulations, Mr. Laroaque. I wish you the best in a difficult job.
congrats man. I agree with the part about visionary.
Congrats to Mr. LaRocque. You have and continue to display exemplary leadership skills even from your days at Government Headquarters in the post of Permanent Secretary. Keep doing the Good work that you are doing and continue to make us proud. Gods blessing and guidance with you always.
Ahhh,,,nice….make good use of this opportunity as i know you will…blessingz!
ohh and congrats!
Congratulations to Cuz Erwin Larocque on your appointment to the position of 7th secretary General of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).
Keep close to our Heavenly Father and ask for wisdom which he gives freely. This is needed to take the best decisions. Let him be a lamp for your path and he will direct you. Listen cuz, be humble and God will see you through.
God Bless you.
waw. to know how insular the LDC’s are, am suprise and elited. Go Dominica. Go Irwin.
Congratulations Mr La Rocque!! Make Dominica and the Caribbean proud…..Go with God!!
congrats irwin just like gustav go my brother from plastic
Congratulations cuz, we know you have the experience and you are very committed to what you do. Good luck in your new position.
Congratulation Mr. LaRocque. Having worked in a Ministry with you as the Permanent Secretary I know that you are a very hard working individual and just the one CARICOM needs in a leadership role now.
I am very proud of you, and also proud that you are Dominican
Well done Irwin La Rocque, congratulations to you and your family. The skies the limit I know that we can do it
Congratulations, Irwin. You deserve it and more. An exemplary son of Dominica’s soil.
Congratulations Mr. LaRocque
Congrats Sir!!!