Today I say goodbye to the Partnership. It was indeed a privilege to serve this dynamic Partnership over the last nine years, six and a half as Director. My wish when I took the reins as Director was that I would leave the Partnership better than I found it. Your many tributes over the last six months suggest that I have done so. Together we are now stronger and more resilient.

I am deeply grateful to my dedicated staff for their unwavering support to me and the Partnership. The staff believe in our mission, and although few, every day they demonstrate an unrivalled passion and commitment to serve the people of the Caribbean.  No task is ever too great for the staff of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit. They gave me the strength to embrace each day with gratitude, enthusiasm and humility. I owe our success to them.

I thank the Secretary-General of CARICOM for affording me the opportunity to serve the community and the wider Caribbean.  I extend a special thank you to the Deputy Secretary-General for helping me to navigate many minefields and her willingness to always give me an audience, to listen and provide guidance and support.  I thank my supervisor, Dr Douglas Slater for his confidence and for giving me the freedom to provide the leadership required for fulfilling our mandate and advancing the Partnership. A special thank you to the heads of departments and staff of the CARICOM Secretariat for their guidance and support.

I was inspired by Chancellor John Edward Greene, who mentored and supported me while modelling bold leadership and finesse while engaging with the political leadership in the Caribbean. I sincerely thank him.

Professor Peter Figueroa was unwavering in his support to me and the Partnership. I thank him for being a source of strength and encouragement.

I express sincere gratitude to our International Development Partners; The Global Fund and PEPFAR-USAID-CDC, PAHO, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNDP, UNICEF and others and the key players in the Partnership, including the Lead Head for Human Resource, Health and HIV, Board and PACC members, regional partners, Ministers, National AIDS Programme Managers, Chief Medical Officers, Permanent Secretaries, youth, civil society, key populations leaders, faith leaders, parliamentarians, academia, media and others, for investing in PANCAP and for your overwhelming support over the last six and a half years.

I wish you all success and look forward to a stronger Partnership under the leadership of our new Director, Dr Rosmond Adams.