The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General, Mr Edwin Carrington on Saturday, 30 November 2002, received Barbados= second highest National Award, the Companion of Honour of Barbados (Honorary) (CHB).

At a glittering ceremony at Government House, Bridgetown which formed part of the celebrations marking the 36th Anniversary of Independence, Barbados Governor-General H.E Sir Clifford Husbands GCMG KA, pinned the insignia on Mr Carrington. The award was conferred on the Secretary-General Afor his outstanding contribution to the development of the Caribbean Region.@

Mr Carrington was accorded the second highest honour from his native Trinidad and Tobago, the Chaconia Medal Gold in 1987. He has also received national honours from Belize, the Order of Distintion in 2001 and the Dominican Republic, Decoration Duarte, Sanchez y Mella, Gran Cruz de Plata in 1993.

The Secretary-General expressed his pleasure at being recognised by the Government and people of Barbados. AI feel very humbled and gratified by this honour particularly as it is given in the context of the ongoing struggle to create a viable and prosperous Caribbean society,@ Mr Carrington said.