The Most Honourable Percival James Patterson, ON, OCC, PC, QC

Mr Patterson is a former Prime Minister of Jamaica.  He served as Head of Government for 14 unbroken years before retiring from active politics in March 2006. At the international and regional levels, he has served as Chair of the Group of 15 developing nations (G-15), Group of 77 and China and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Mr Patterson has played a lead role in various fora such as the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and Socialist International.  Specifically, Jamaica was chair of the UN Security Council during his tenure as Prime Minister.  He chaired the CARICOM Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on External Negotiations since its inception and is credited for developing a unified negotiating position of CARICOM countries in the international arena.

Mr Patterson has played an integral role in guiding international deliberations to pursue peaceful resolution of disputes that threatened the credibility of the fora mentioned above, and to settle cross border conflicts between CARICOM countries. He is a savvy negotiator, and his capacity to negotiate meaningful engagement in difficult situations is internationally recognised.    

Mr Patterson has extensive experience and acknowledged expertise in national, regional and international policy and political issues in a broad range of areas including international trade and negotiations garnered in his more than three decades in government. His capacity for the law and skill as an advocate is well recognised, and Mr Patterson is a Learned Queen’s Counsel.