Outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland KC, said goodbye to Caribbean Community leaders describing them as ” powerhouse within the Commonwealth”.

The Dominica-born Secretary-General steps down from her role at the end of March.

Addressing the plenary session of the CARICOM summit that ends Friday, Ms. Scotland, in an emotional speech, paid tribute to the strength, unity and leadership of the heads.

She thanked them for their support and solidarity with the 56 member Commonwealth.

Praising their progress in climate resilience and economic and sustainable development, she said the Caribbean has solidified its position at the forefront of tackling global challenges.

In 2022, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamina Johnson Smith lost in her bid to challenge to Ms. Scotland for the post of Commonwealth Secretary-General.

Senator Johnson Smith’s entry into the race had spurred criticism from some CARICOM members.