Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, a national of Dominica, is the seventh Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Ambassador LaRocque is firmly committed to deepening integration within CARICOM and advancing cooperation within the wider Caribbean.

Early life and education

Ambassador LaRocque was educated at Queen’s College, the New School for Social Research, and New York University where he majored in Political Philosophy, Political Economics and Economics.

Career

He is the former Assistant Secretary-General for Trade and Economic Integration at the CARICOM Secretariat, a position he assumed in September 2005. Prior to that, he served, with distinction, at senior management levels in the Public Service of Dominica for over 18 years.

During his tenure in the Dominica public service, Ambassador LaRocque served in several capacities, including Principal Adviser to the Government of Dominica on all matters pertaining to Regional integration and international trade. He was Dominica's Senior Policy Adviser on the revision of the original Treaty of Chaguaramas and served on the Inter-Governmental Task Force (IGTF) which resulted in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

He also served as Permanent Secretary in various Ministries for more than fourteen (14) years, including in the Ministries of Trade, Industry, Enterprise Development, Tourism, and Foreign Affairs, where he headed the diplomatic service. He also has private sector experience.

As Assistant Secretary-General, Ambassador LaRocque provided strategic leadership for the continuing implementation and further development of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) including the Sectoral Programmes of the Community, such as agriculture, services, industry, energy and information and communications technology. He has been a firm believer that the CSME cannot succeed without the advancement of the social sector, such as human resource development and youth.

Ambassador LaRocque has managed diplomatic negotiations with third countries and international development partners. He has a wealth of experience in management, public administration, economic development, trade, foreign affairs and diplomacy.

Personal life

Ambassador LaRocque is married and has children.