Former Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General Roderick Rainford has died.

Rainford served as the fifth Secretary-General from 1983 to 1992, a period widely regarded as pivotal in advancing regional integration and cooperation.

He was the first Jamaican to hold the office. 

Prior to his appointment, he served as Deputy Secretary-General under Kurleigh King. 

He was also a recipient of the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC), the organisation’s highest honour.

During his tenure, Rainford played a key role in shaping several major regional initiatives.

Under his leadership, the region saw progress in removing barriers to the free movement of goods and advancing the Common External Tariff. His tenure also supported early development of a regional stock exchange framework, including cross-border trading among exchanges in Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

Rainford was also instrumental in the reactivation of the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA), and the strengthening of regional institutions such as the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI) and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA), now the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).

In a statement, Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness paid tribute to Rainford, describing him as a distinguished Jamaican who served the region with integrity.

“Mr Rainford’s contribution to public life was significant. As Secretary-General of CARICOM from 1983 to 1992, he played an important role in advancing regional cooperation, and his leadership as Governor of the Bank of Jamaica reflected his deep understanding of economic development and governance,” he said.