The CARICOM Secretariat is headquartered in Georgetown, Guyana, with additional offices in Barbados and a small satellite unit in Jamaica.
What exactly does the CARICOM Secretariat do?
The CARICOM Secretariat acts as CARICOM’s main administrative arm, offering technical support to member states, putting community decisions into action, and suggesting new initiatives for CARICOM bodies to consider.
It handles regional policy coordination, runs daily operations, and pushes forward integration projects like the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). The Secretariat also acts as a bridge between member states and countries outside the region. For the full picture, check out the CARICOM official website.
Who’s actually running the CARICOM Secretariat right now?
The CARICOM Secretariat is led by the Secretary-General, who doubles as the community’s top executive.
As of 2026, Dr. Carla Barnett holds the role—she started in August 2021 for a five-year term. Her job? Turning the CARICOM Heads of Government Conference’s decisions into reality. Want to know more? The CARICOM Secretariat page has the details.
What’s inside the CARICOM Secretariat?
The CARICOM Secretariat is split into departments and units covering trade, finance, foreign affairs, education, and administration.
Key teams include the Office of the Secretary-General, the Directorate of Human and Social Development, and the Trade and Economic Integration Directorate. Each one works toward CARICOM’s policy goals and regional teamwork. For the nitty-gritty, head to CARICOM’s organizational structure.
Is CARICOM still a thing?
Absolutely—CARICOM is still very much alive and kicking as a regional organization.
By 2026, it’s got 15 member states and 5 associate members, with Guyana as one of its four founding members since 1973. The group stays busy with trade, security, and economic integration. Curious about who’s in? Peek at the CARICOM member states page.
Where exactly is the CARICOM Secretariat located?
The CARICOM Secretariat sits in Georgetown, Guyana, with extra offices in Barbados and a small satellite unit in Jamaica.
Its main address is 77 High Street, Georgetown, Guyana. The Barbados office helps with regional coordination, while the Jamaica unit tackles specific operational work. Need to get in touch? The CARICOM contact page has all the info.
Which CARICOM country has the biggest population?
Haiti takes the crown as CARICOM’s most populous country, with around 11.5 million people (based on 2021 estimates).
| Rank | Country | 2021 Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haiti | 11,541,685 |
| 2 | Jamaica | 2,973,463 |
| 3 | Trinidad and Tobago | 1,403,375 |
| 4 | Guyana | 790,326 |
These numbers come from 2021 estimates—recent figures might differ. For the latest stats, swing by the Caribbean National Trust.
Does Guyana count as a Caribbean country?
Yes, Guyana is widely considered part of the Caribbean by geographers and regional groups.
Even though it’s on South America’s mainland, Guyana’s cultural, historical, and political ties with CARICOM put it squarely in the Caribbean camp. Its capital, Georgetown, even serves as a major CARICOM administrative hub. For extra context, see Britannica’s Guyana overview.
Who was CARICOM’s chairman in 2020?
Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, held the CARICOM Chairman role in 2020.
Rowley guided the community through a year focused on pandemic response and economic recovery. The chairmanship rotates yearly among CARICOM heads of government. For a full list of past leaders, visit CARICOM’s leadership page.
Where exactly is the secretariat situated?
The CARICOM Secretariat is based in Georgetown, Guyana.
Its physical address is 77 High Street, Georgetown, Guyana. This office serves as the nerve center for CARICOM’s operations and regional integration work. Need help finding it or have questions? Try the contact form on CARICOM’s website.
What authority does the secretariat really have?
The CARICOM Secretariat carries out policies, runs programs, and coordinates regional efforts on behalf of member states.
Its authority covers putting CARICOM Heads of Government Conference decisions into practice, managing trade deals, and fostering cooperation in areas like health and education. The Secretariat doesn’t make laws—it helps members implement them. For the full scoop, check CARICOM’s mandate.
Who’s the top boss at the secretariat?
The Secretary-General is the CARICOM Secretariat’s top leader.
This person runs the Secretariat’s daily work and answers to the CARICOM Heads of Government Conference. Don’t mix this up with national “Chief Secretaries”—those are totally different roles in some governments. For the Secretary-General’s full duties, visit CARICOM’s Secretary-General page.
How can someone be a rockstar secretariat team member?
A top-notch secretariat member stays organized, detail-focused, and takes initiative when managing meetings and paperwork.
- Keep records and documents meticulous and error-free.
- Tackle admin tasks efficiently and follow up like a pro.
- Make sure communication between members and stakeholders stays crystal clear.
- Never guess—double-check facts and confirm when materials are received.
These traits help any organization make smarter decisions. Want to sharpen your skills? Business admin or office management certifications are a great start.
Is Aruba part of CARICOM?
Aruba isn’t a CARICOM member but holds observer status.
Since the Netherlands Antilles (Aruba’s former political entity) dissolved in 2010, Aruba has joined CARICOM meetings as an observer. This status lets Aruba engage with CARICOM without full membership. For the full list of observers, see CARICOM’s observer list.
Is The Bahamas a CARICOM member?
Yes, The Bahamas is a full CARICOM member.
It joined in 1983 and takes part in the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). The country gains from regional trade deals and collaborations in tourism and security. For membership specifics, visit CARICOM’s member states page.
Who was CARICOM’s Secretary-General in 2021?
Dr. Carla Barnett served as CARICOM’s Secretary-General in 2021, taking office on August 16 of that year.
She took over from Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and acts as the community’s chief executive. Her term zeroes in on economic resilience, climate action, and regional unity. For updates on her work, follow CARICOM’s official updates.
