Source: Erasmus Williams FB
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS – Chairman of the Caribbean Community, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister, Terrance Drew, has expressed sadness at the passing of former CARICOM Secretary-General, Roderick Rainford. Dr Rainford served as CARICOM Secretary-General from 1983 to 1992.
“A national of Jamaica, Mr Rainford also served as Deputy Secretary-General and led the Secretariat during a period of significant global turmoil, including high oil prices and heightened Cold War tensions that negatively impacted the Region. Faced with the regional repercussions of the United States invasion of Grenada, Mr Rainford, in his calm and dignified manner, drew on his vast reserves of diplomatic and academic skills to steer regional integration along a steady path, leading to the Grand Anse Declaration. This set the foundation for the CARICOM Single Market and Economy through the establishment of the Common External Tariff,” said Prime Minister Drew.
He noted that Dr. Rainford was a firm believer in the benefits of economic and functional integration to advance regional development and, above all, to improve the welfare of Community nationals from all spheres of life.
“Among the developments under his tenure were the early groundwork for a Regional Stock Exchange, the negotiation of the framework for the Caribbean Investment Fund, and the reactivation and revival of the Caribbean Festival of Arts,” Dr. Drew said in a statement issued by the CARICOM Secretariat in Guyana.
During Dr. Rainford’s stewardship, the Region also intensified its focus on environmental management and protection. His contributions included overseeing the development of a CARICOM Uniform Building Code to harmonise standards in construction and infrastructure development, and the creation or consolidation of institutions for common regional action, such as the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency, now known as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency.
“For these and other signal contributions to the advancement of regional integration, he was awarded the Order of the Caribbean Community in 2024,” Dr. Drew said.
The CARICOM Chair also noted that Dr. Rainford’s patience, equanimity, team spirit, and analytical skills are fondly remembered by those who worked with him at the CARICOM Secretariat and across the Region.
“Our Community is stronger for his dedication and service. CARICOM conveys its deepest condolences to his wife, Nesha, other family members, and all who mourn his passing,” Dr. Drew said.