Press Releases

Port of Spain, (April 12, 2012) – The fifth Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) officially assumed the reigns of the organization at the Association’s Secretariat today in Port of Spain.

Mr. Luis Fernando Andrade Falla, outgoing ACS Secretary General officially handed over this morning the instruments of the Office of the Secretary General to the new Secretary General, Ambassador Alfonso Muñera Cavadía.  Ambassador Muñera was elected by the ACS Ministerial Council at its 17th Meeting held in Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, on February 10th, 2012. The official inauguration ceremony will take place later this month where delegations from ACS Member States, Associate Members, Founding Observers, Observer Countries, Social Partners and other Diplomatic Representatives accredited to the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago will be in attendance.

In his inaugural speech, Secretary General Muñera, expressed his enthusiasm in working at the ACS especially from the standpoint of being a “Caribbean man.” He mentioned that, “As a Caribbean man, to be the Secretary General of the ACS is probably the most important service he will perform.” He further added, “The ACS was a dream coming from the Caribbean islands and we have to continue the work of the people from the past who have contributed to the Association in the way that it is today”.

Mr. Andrade in his farewell address congratulated the new Secretary General on his appointment and wished him success in his journey ahead. He further expressed his deep appreciation for the support he received during his tenure as Secretary General.

In his closing remarks, the Secretary General encouraged staff to cooperate and work together; a minute semblance of the large-scale regional integration which encapsulates the aim of the ACS. He also reiterated the need to promote the cultural diversity of the Caribbean to the rest of the world as a means of bringing people and entities together.

The occasion culminated in high hopes, good spirit and optimism as the ACS prepares to embark on a new era of leadership and renewed commitment to its mandates.