The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has congratulated Her Excellency Dr Janet Caroo on her appointment as St Lucia's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The appointment places Dr Caroo at the centre of regional diplomacy as St Lucia deepens its engagement with both bodies that shape Caribbean integration and cooperation.
Dr Caroo brings a distinguished academic and administrative background to her new post. She has served The UWI in several senior roles, most recently as University Registrar, a position that placed her at the heart of the institution's governance and operations across its five campuses in the region. Her career at the university has been marked by a commitment to strengthening institutional systems and supporting the development of Caribbean scholarship and administration.
The congratulatory message from The UWI highlighted Dr Caroo's long service to the regional university and expressed confidence that her experience would serve St Lucia well in her new diplomatic responsibilities. The university noted that her understanding of regional institutions and her record of leadership would be valuable assets as she represents her country in CARICOM and the OECS.
As ambassador to CARICOM, Dr Caroo will participate in the work of the Caribbean Community, which coordinates policy and cooperation among its fifteen member states on matters ranging from trade and economic development to health, education, and foreign policy coordination. Her role with the OECS will involve working within the sub-regional grouping of Eastern Caribbean states that share a common currency, the Eastern Caribbean dollar, and cooperate closely on economic union, judicial matters, and disaster management.
The appointment comes at a time when Caribbean nations are focusing on issues such as climate resilience, economic recovery, and the deepening of regional integration. St Lucia, like its neighbours including the Commonwealth of Dominica, has been an active participant in both CARICOM and the OECS, and the appointment of a seasoned university administrator signals the importance the government places on skilled representation in regional forums.
The UWI's recognition of Dr Caroo's appointment reflects the close ties between the region's academic institutions and its diplomatic corps. Many Caribbean ambassadors and senior officials have emerged from the university's ranks, and Dr Caroo's transition from academia to diplomacy continues that tradition. Her familiarity with the workings of regional bodies, gained through years of institutional leadership, is expected to ease her entry into her new role.
Dr Caroo's appointment is effective immediately, and she is expected to take up her duties in due course. The government of St Lucia has not yet announced additional details about her schedule or priorities in the post, but her portfolio will cover the full range of matters before both CARICOM and the OECS in the coming months.
