CURRICULUM VITAE |
|
NAME: |
PATRICK EDWARDS |
ADDRESS: |
133 St. James Street Battoo Avenue Marabella REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (Permanent)
Trinidad and Tobago High Commission 38 Chwa II Place Mbuya, Kampala P.O. Box 40150 (Residence)
|
|
|
NATIONALITY: |
Trinidadian |
|
|
MARITAL STATUS: |
Married with three children |
|
|
TELEPHONE: |
+256-414-222-913; +256-312-517-840(h): |
|
+256-414-562-400/1(w); +256-772-702-805(c) |
E-MAIL ADDRESS: |
tonkabean_mango3@yahoo.co.uk |
|
tonkabean_mango3@hotmail.com |
EDUCATION: |
|
1981 |
Howard University, |
|
Washington, D.C. |
|
Ph.D (Political Science) incomplete |
|
|
1980 |
University of the West Indies, |
|
St Augustine |
|
M.Sc International Relations |
|
|
1972 |
University of the West Indies, |
|
St Augustine |
|
Diploma in International Relations |
|
|
1971 |
University of the West Indies, |
|
St Augustine |
|
BA (Hons) |
FELLOWSHIPS / CERTIFICATES / COURSES
|
|
1996 |
Commonwealth Senior Diplomats |
|
Programme Farnahm, United Kingdom |
|
Certificate in Diplomacy |
1989 |
Administrative Staff College, |
|
Hyderabad, India |
|
Indian Government, ITEC Fellowship |
|
Course for Senior Administrative Officers |
|
|
1988 |
Government of Trinidad and Tobago, |
|
Central Training Unit |
|
Advanced Management Course for Senior Officers in the Public Service |
|
|
1987 |
Institute of International Relations |
|
University of the West Indies, St Augustine |
|
Certificate in International Negotiations |
|
|
1980 |
University of Manchester, United Kingdom |
|
UNCTAD Fellowship |
|
Certificate in International Trade and Marketing Techniques |
|
|
1979 |
John Hopkins School of Advanced |
|
International Studies, |
|
Washington, D.C. |
|
Course for Latin American Diplomats |
|
|
1977 |
HAGUE Academy of International Law |
|
The Hague, Netherlands |
|
UNITAR Fellowship |
|
Certificate in International Law |
CAREER EXPERIENCE: |
|
Highly experienced diplomat and administrator, skilled in international, economic, political, trade and commercial negotiations, foreign policy strategist, excellent inter-personal skills and a foremost exponent of cultural diplomacy. In the field of Diplomacy and Diplomatic Relations of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago since September 1971. Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Trinidad and Tobago /Africa bi lateral and multi-lateral relations. Leading exponent on the Trinidad and Tobago /Africa diplomatic relations. |
December 2014 |
Appointed Special Envoy to African states to have the Headquarters of the Arms Trade Treaty Secretariat located in Trinidad and Tobago. |
July 2013 |
Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the African Union |
May 2013 |
High Commissioner to the United Republic of Tanzania |
June 2012 |
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps of Uganda |
May/June 2010
|
Leader of delegation to the First Review Conference of the Rome Statute International Criminal Court (ICC), Kampala, Uganda |
March 2010
|
High Commissioner-Designate to the Republic of Rwanda |
January 2010
|
Leader of the delegation to the Fourteenth Summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
July 2009
|
Leader of delegation to develop sporting Bilateral links with the Governments of Uganda and Rwanda |
February 2009
|
Leader of the delegation to the UN-Habitat Environment Conference, Nairobi, Kenya |
January 2009
|
Leader of Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation Mission to Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Egypt. |
August 2008
|
Conceptualized and executed a Cultural and Social ExchangeProgramme between socially disadvantaged children from institutions in Trinidad and Tobago and Uganda on a reciprocal basis (Forty Eight students and officials, twenty four from each country, spent a one month educational and cultural tour of each other’s country). |
August 2008 |
Organized the First Trinidad and Tobago Food Festival, spanning one week as part of the cultural thrust to develop closer links between Trinidad and Tobago and Uganda. |
November 2007 |
Established the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission to Uganda, with concurrent accreditation to Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Since then, has been engaged in many bilateral economic, social, cultural and sporting initiatives to develop and strengthen bilateral relations between all the countries of accreditation. |
February 2007 to present
|
High Commissioner to the Republic of Uganda. High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya. High Commissioner- to the United Republic of Tanzania. High Commissioner- Designate to the Republic of Rwanda Ambassador to the Republic of Ethiopia Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt. Ambassador-Designate to the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. |
August 1st 2004 to October, 2007 Ambassador, Permanent Secretary in the Office of The Prime Minister and Secretary to the Commission of Enquiry into the Operations and Delivery of Public Health Care Services in Trinidad and Tobago |
Appointed by the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to be the Secretary to the Commission. This involved organizing and coordinating the establishment and operations of the Commission. Meeting with the Commissioners and members of the public, recruiting staff for the Secretariat and looking after operations of the Commission on a daily basis. The Commission reported to the President at the end of its assignment in October 2004. |
July 2003 to July 31st, 2004
Ambassador, Permanent Secretary and Head of the Foreign Service
|
Involved in the formulation and execution of the country’s foreign policy, the management and proper functioning of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs including the country’s diplomatic establishments located abroad and those diplomatic missions accredited to Trinidad and Tobago. As Head of the Foreign Service all Diplomats representing Trinidad and Tobago abroad and those accredited to our country fell under my jurisdiction. As the Accounting Officer of the Ministry responsible for all the votes and the financial business of the Ministry to ensure that public funds were properly managed. Represented the Minister of Foreign Affairs at official engagements when he was unable to attend. |
May 2000 to July 2003 High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria
|
As High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with concurrent accreditations to the Republics of Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone and Ambassador to the Democratic Republics of the Congo, Algeria, Senegal, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon. While in Nigeria, formed the Trinidad and Tobago/Nigeria Business Chamber and promoted the first Trade Mission from Nigeria to Trinidad and Tobago. Encouraged subsequent visits by business groups both from the public and private sectors thereby deepening and broadening economic, social and political ties between both countries. Involved in the first Trinidad and Tobago/ Nigeria Mixed Commission, promoting cooperation in the technical and cultural fields and was single-handedly responsible for the initiation of the Trinidad and Tobago/Nigeria Bilateral Air Services Agreement. Created the Ghana/Trinidad and Tobago Business Chamber and mounted the first Trade Mission from Ghana to Trinidad and Tobago. Promoted closer economic, social and cultural ties between Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago. Engendered closer economic, cultural and political ties with other countries of accreditation and the overall strengthening of Trinidad and Tobago’s relations with Africa, particularly Nigeria and Ghana. |
November 1995 – May 2000 Deputy/Acting High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
|
As Deputy High Commissioner and later Acting High Commissioner was responsible for the Administration and Management of the Mission and the execution of our foreign policy. Since the Mission was also accredited to Germany and the Scandinavian countries, the promotion of economic and commercial ties and the welfare of nationals in these countries also fell under my purview. Responsible for direct foreign investment to Trinidad and Tobago.
Covered matters concerning the Commonwealth and was the senior official, after the High Commissioner, with responsibility for political, economic and cultural issues between the Commonwealth Secretariat and Trinidad and Tobago and bilaterally with the United Kingdom. Apart from the responsibility for the bilateral economic and political relations, I was also involved in cultural and economic matters as part of the strategy of promoting Trinidad and Tobago in the United Kingdom. |
1988 – 1995 Protocol Officer and State Chief of Protocol
|
Worked in the Protocol Division dealing with privileges and immunities for the Diplomatic Corps. Involved in the planning and managing of many State and Official visits and International Conferences, Seminars, Meetings and Workshops. Responsible for the planning and execution of the International Conference for the Inauguration of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) in 1995, in which thirty-eight Heads of States, Governors, Chief Ministers and hundreds of officials from Latin America and the Caribbean attended. Conceptualized and managed the Protocol and Conference Services facilities for the Forty- Fifth Commonwealth |
1985 – 1988
Desk Officer in the Administration and Scientific and Technical Cooperation Divisions
|
Organised and executed the Common Wealth Parliamentary Conference and the Eleventh Commonwealth Law Ministers Conference which were held in Trinidad in 1998 and 1999 respectively. Desk Officer in the Administration, and the Scientific and Technical Cooperation Divisions of the Ministry. Involved in the preparation of Bilateral and Multilateral Treaties and Agreements and handling bilateral and multilateral technical cooperation issues. Also dealt with administrative and personnel issues affecting staff both at home and in the overseas missions. |
1981 – 1985 Deputy/Acting High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria
|
Deputy High Commissioner and acted as High Commissioner in Nigeria. The Mission was also accredited to Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Algeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Responsible for promoting Economic and Cultural Cooperation between Trinidad and Tobago and the countries of accreditation. |
1977 – 1981 First Secretary, Trinidad and Tobago Embassy, Washington, D.C.
|
As First Secretary, had responsibility for Trade and Economic matters between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States. Covered the Social and Political Committees of the OAS, Desk Officer for the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Inter- American Development Bank (IADB) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
|
1974 – 1977 Foreign Service Officer One (1)
|
Foreign Service Officer and worked in the Political and Economic Foreign Divisions. Transferred to the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in 1976 and attended the General Assembly of the United Nations as a delegate covering the work of the First Committee, Special Political Committee and the Economic and Social Council. |
1971 – 1975 Tutor in the Department of Government
|
Tutor to BA and BSc. students in the Department of Government, at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine (UWI) |
1971 – 1974 Research Officer, Caribbean Task Force/Tutor, University of the West Indies (UWI) St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
|
After graduating from the University of the West Indies (UWI), worked as Senior Research Officer on the Caribbean Task Force appointed by the then Prime Minister to formulate policies on Caribbean Integration. Was responsible for producing sixteen of the thirty-four papers on issues which were covered by the Task Force. Tutor in Political Science in the Department of Government at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine. Lectured at theCipriani Labour College.
|
1972-1973 Lecturer, Cipriani Labour College, Valsayn, Trinidad and Tobago |
Part-time Lecturer in Political Science at the Cipriani LabourCollege. |
A. SPECIAL PROJECTS
February 2014 |
Initiated and led the successful bid by Trinidad and Tobago to State Gas company to win the contract to build the Uganda / Kenya oil pipeline. However, the company later withdrew its bid. |
January 6th – 9th 2014 |
Invited by the by the Minister of foreign Affairs of Uganda to address their Annual Heads of Mission Conference on the topics: (i) The experience of an Accomplished Diplomat (ii) Oil and Gas Diplomacy the core study of Trinidad and Tobago |
July/August 2013 |
Initiated and led delegation comprising the Minister of Energy and Minerals of Uganda and the Traditional Ruler ofBunyoro/Kitara Region of Uganda on energy exploratory andfact finding mission to Trinidad and Tobago.
|
June 2013 |
Facilitated the restructuring of the Human Resource Management of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
|
2011-2012 |
Arranged for two (2) Energy Delegations from Tanzania to visit Trinidad and Tobago.
|
2009-2011 |
Led four (4) Trade Delegations to Tanzania in the sphere of Energy and Energy related services. Facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Natural Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC) and Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC).
|
2009 – 2011 |
Led three (3) Trade and Technical Cooperation delegations on visits to Rwanda
|
June 6th – 9th 2009 |
Organised the official one week visit by internationally renowned legendary Brian Lara to Uganda and Rwanda on a good will mission.
|
2009 |
Facilitated the entry of Rwanda to the Commonwealth at the Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago.
|
2008-2012 |
Led four (4) Trade and Technical Cooperation delegations on visits to Egypt and Ethiopia.
|
2007 – 2011 |
Received all groups arriving in Saudi Arabia from Trinidad and Tobago to attend Hajj observances.
|
2005 Cultural Ambassador
|
Collaborated with the Governor of Cross River State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria in organizing the 2005 Christmas/Carnival celebration in Calabar. Led a twenty-eight member delegation which included the Secretary for Culture in the Tobago House of Assembly, the Solo Pan Knights Steel Orchestra and a Band Leader/Mas Designer to the celebration. Responsible for providing five hundred (500) mas costumes from Trinidad and the creation of the fifty-four (54) piece Cross River State Steel Orchestra. The first State Steel Orchestra in Nigeria.
|
2003 International Negotiator
|
Planned and coordinated the release of two pilots of the National airline (BWIA) who were detained as terrorists by the United States Government, as part of their ongoing anti- terrorism measures.
Part of the planning and strategy team working to secure the location of the FTAA Headquarters in Trinidad and Tobago.
|
2003 Trade Mission
|
Organized and led a Trade and Economic Mission from Ghana to Trinidad and Tobago, in conjunction with the Ghana/Trinidad and Tobago Business Chamber.
|
2002 Trade Mission
|
Led a Trade Mission from Nigeria to Trinidad and Tobago under the auspices of the Nigeria/Trinidad and Tobago Business Association.
|
September, 2002
|
Launched the Ghana/Trinidad and Tobago Business Chamber.
|
June, 2001
|
Launched the Nigeria/Trinidad and Tobago Business Association in Abuja.
|
1999 – 2000 The Caribbean in the New Millennium
|
Conceptualized and organized a trilogy of events spanning three years to celebrate the advent of the New Millennium by CARICOM Missions in the United Kingdom. The programmeinvolved: – A Trade Exposition which took place in 2001 entitled “Expo 2001” involving the entire member states of CARICOM – this was a three-day exhibition. The Caribbean Through Art and Culture. – An Art and Cultural Exhibition involving all the member states of CARICOM, reflecting the highest level of art and culture from the CARICOM States. This was held as a follow-up to the “Expo 2001” in 2002.
The Caribbean Through Science and Technology – An exhibition of the contribution of the Peoples of the Caribbean to the Development of Science and Technology.
|
1999 Private Sector Trade Mission
|
Led a private sector trade mission to Ghana to develop trade and economic ties.
|
1998 Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of CARICOM and the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Arrival of the SSWindrush
|
Conceptualized and organized on behalf of the Caribbean High Commission in London, the celebration to mark the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of CARICOM and the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Arrival of the SS Windrush, the ship which brought West Indians to Britain to assist with the reconstruction after World War II. The programme involved a Trade Exposition for all the member states of CARICOM with Missions in the United Kingdom.
|
|
|
1997 International Negotiator
|
Sent as Special Envoy of the Government to Lebanon to negotiate the release of Mr. David Nakid, one of our nationals who was detained in prison. The negotiations were successful and the person was released within seven days.
|
1997 Art Exhibition to promote Trinidad and Tobago
|
Organized and curated the Art Exhibition ‘Trinidad and Tobago through the Eye of the Artist: From Cazabon to the New Millennium 1845-2000’ in celebration of the Thirty-fifth Anniversary of Independence of Trinidad and Tobago. The Exhibition was held for five months at the Commonwealth Institute, London. |
1996 XANTE Cultural Programme to promote Trinidad
|
Organized a Cultural Programme called XANTE at theWembley Entertainment Complex, London to mark the Thirty-fourth Anniversary of Independence of Trinidad and Tobago. It was a multicultural cast of over one hundred artistes from Trinidad and Tobago.
|
1984 Trade Mission to the Republic of Guinea
|
Member of the delegation attending the Cocoa Producers Alliance Conference, Cameroon.
One-man Economic Mission to the Republic of Guinea to foster closer economic and commercial ties between Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago.
|
1983 – 1984 Cocoa Producers Alliance Conference
|
Member of the Trinidad and Tobago delegation attending the Cocoa Producers Alliance Conference, Ghana.
|
1982 Conference on Health for All-2000
|
Represented Trinidad and Tobago at the Conference on Health for All by the Year 2000, Lagos, Nigeria.
|
1978 Integrity Commission
|
Adviser to the Integrity Commission, which visited the United States on a fact-finding mission to draft Integrity Legislation.
|
1977 Miami Conference on the Caribbean |
Member of the delegation attending the First Miami Conference on the Caribbean |
1977 General Assembly of the OAS
|
Member of the delegation to the General Assembly of the OAS, Washington, D.C.
|
1974 Fifteenth Meeting of Consultation of Foreign Ministers of the OAS, Quito, Ecuador |
Special Adviser to the Trinidad and Tobago delegation to the Fifteenth Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Quito, Ecuador.
|
LIST OF A FEW MEETINGS/CONFERENCES ATTENDED AS HEAD/MEMBER OF DEGELATION
Meeting |
Date |
Participation |
Country of Convention |
Meeting with the Government of Botswana as Special Envoy of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for the Arms Trade Treaty. |
8th April, 2015
|
Special Envoy
|
Botswana
|
Meeting with the Government of Angola as Special Envoy of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for the Arms Trade Treaty. |
7th April, 2015
|
Special Envoy
|
Angola
|
Meeting with the Government of Tanzania as Special Envoy of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for the Arms Trade Treaty. |
25th March, 2015
|
Special Envoy
|
Tanzania
|
Meeting with the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uganda, as Special Envoy of Trinidad and Tobago for the Arms Trade Treaty. |
20th &23rd March, 2015
|
Special Envoy
|
Uganda
|
Meeting with the Government of Djibouti as Special Envoy of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for the Arms Trade Treaty. |
15th March, 2015
|
Special Envoy
|
Djibouti
|
Meeting with the Government of Burundi as Special Envoy of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for the Arms Trade Treaty.
|
13th-14th March, 2015
|
Special Envoy
|
Burundi
|
African Union Summit
|
26th – 31st January, 2015 |
Delegate
|
Ethiopia
|
Visit to Kenya to represent the Government of Trinidad and Tobago at the Madarark Day celebration
|
11th – 12th December, 2014
|
Representative |
Kenya
|
Meeting with Official of the Government of Tanzania on strengthening bi-lateral relation
|
29th Many – 7th June, 2014
|
Representative |
Tanzania
|
Abu Dhabi Ascent Conference on Climate Change |
4th – 5th May, 2014 |
Head of Delegation |
United Arab Emirates
|
World Green Economy Summit |
15th – 16th April, 2014 |
Head of Delegation |
United Arab Emirates
|
Blue Economy Summit |
19th – 20th January, 2014 |
Head of Delegation |
United Arab Emirates
|
African Union Summit |
27th – 31st January, 2014 |
Head of Delegation |
United Arab Emirates
|
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. CHOGM Secretariat
|
23rd – 25th November, 2007 |
Delegate |
Uganda |
Twenty-Fifth Session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum
|
15th – 20th February, 2009 |
Head of Delegation |
Kenya |
Makerere University Stakeholder’s Conference. Makerere University
|
26th – 27th March, 2009 |
Delegate |
Uganda |
The 3rd East Africa Investment Conference. EAC
|
27th – 30th April, 2010 |
Head of Delegation |
Uganda |
The International Criminal Court Review Conference. ICC
|
31st May – 11th June, 2010 |
Head of Delegation |
Uganda |
The African Private Sector Forum. AU/The Global Compact/International Trade Centre/UNCCI
|
22nd – 23rd July, 2010 |
Head of Delegation |
Uganda |
Global Forum on Local Development. UNDP/UNCDF
|
4th – 6th October, 2010 |
Head of Delegation |
Uganda |
East African Energy Conference |
21st – 22nd November, 2011
|
Head of Delegation |
Arusha, Tanzania |
African Diaspora Summit |
23rd – 25th May, 2012
|
Senior Delegate |
South Africa |
35th Assembly of Parties. ITSO
|
3rd – 6th July, 2012 |
Head of Delegation |
Uganda |
East Africa Oil and Gas Summit |
12th – 14th November, 2012
|
Head of Delegation |
Nairobi, Kenya |
Sixth East Africa Petroleum Conference and Exhibition |
6th – 8th February, 2013
|
Head of Delegation |
Arusha, Tanzania |
Seventh Commonwealth Local Government Forum
|
14th – 18th May, 2013 |
Delegate |
Kampala, Uganda |
B. MEMBERSHIP IN ORGANIZATIONS:
- Founding and Life Member of the Confederation of African Associations of Trinidad and Tobago (COAATT) Inc., was its first Chairman
- Member of the Egbe Orisha Ille Wa Association
- Member of the National Evangelical Spiritual Baptist Faith
- Life Member of the Hindi Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago
- Honorary Member of Sanatan Dharna Maha Sabha
- Honorary Member of the National Council of Indian Culture
- Member of the Chinese Civic Association
PUBLICATIONS:
- External Capacity of the Associated States – A case study of Antigua, Dominica and St. Lucia, Unpublished MSc. Thesis, 1981, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad.
- The Quincentennial of the Arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World 1492 – 1992, an article in the magazine published by the CARICOM Secretariat in1992.
- Great Kings of Africa – A publication on the Kings of Africa from ancient times to the contemporary period in conjunction with Dr Fitz Baptiste, Dean of the Department of African History, University of the West Indies, St Augustine – 1993.
- Elements of Protocol – A manual produced for the Protocol Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1994 for use by Government Ministries.
- XANTE – A publication which grew out of the cultural presentation I hosted at the Wembley Conference Centre in England in 1996.
- Trinidad and Tobago Through the Eye of the Artist – From Cazabon to the New Millennium, 1845 – 2000. A publication on the Art and sculpture of Trinidad and Tobago. This catalogue grew out of the Art Exhibition, which I conceptualized and hosted in 1998 at the Commonwealth Institute, London.
HOBBIES
Reading, Writing and Entertaining.