The Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) His Excellency Edwin Carrington has been described as a truly great son of the Caribbean who has made a sterling contribution to the region.
Speaking at the investiture of the Secretary-General into the Commander of Number of the Order of Civil Merit of Spain,at a ceremony at the Spanish Ambassador’s residence in Kingston, Jamaica  Tuesday night, the Deputy Prime Minister of Jamaica, Dr. Kenneth Baugh, praised Mr. Carrington for his calm and for his sound advice to the region’s politicians over his period of service as Secretary-General.
The King of Spain had authorised the conferment of the award on the SG and which was presented by Spain’s Minister of State for Latin America and the Caribbean, Juan Pablo de Laiglesia.
Among those present at the function hosted by the Spanish Ambassador to Jamaica, Jesus Silva, were former Governor General of Jamaica  Sir Kenneth Halland the former Prime Minister of Jamaica Percival Patterson.
Mr. de Laiglesia read the citation which stated that the award was in recognition of the Secretary-General’s years of service to the Caribbean and to the process of regional integration. The honour was also in recognition of the esteem in which the Secretary-General was held for ensuring the strengthening of the relations between Spain and CARICOM.
Accepting the award, Secretary-General Carrington said he accepted it with great humility and did so “on behalf of the people of the Caribbean (CARICOM and CARIFORUM) whom I have the privilege to serve.”
“It is always satisfying to be recognised for whatever small contribution one has made, particularly in advancing co-operation between states,” the Secretary-General said.
He added that the recognition “I have received tonight should be an inspiration to those of us who serve.”