AMBASSADOR Richard Bernal, director-general of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM), was presented Friday with the Order of Rio Branco, one of Brazil’s highest national honours.

Ambassador Bernal who is the first Jamaican to receive the award, was recognised by Brazil for his outstanding work in trade negotiations to establish the Free Trade Area of the Americas and at the World Trade Organisation.

Governor Howard Cooke, dubbing Ambassador Amaral a distinguished son of Jamaica said at the King’s House ceremony that, “when any Jamaicans receive the highest honour from any country we feel that the highest honour comes to us.”

Ambassador Bernal, he added, has excelled not only as an economist, but also in his capacity as a diplomat.

“It would be remiss of me not to let him know that I a proud of him,” he said. “As a Jamaican, I am proud that you have excelled and that Brazil should wish to honour you.”

Bernal joins two other Jamaicans to receive Brazilian honours – information minister Senator Burchell Whiteman and hotelier John Issa, recipients of the Order of the Southern Cross (Cuzeiro do Sul) from the Government of Brazil.

“Ambassador Bernal, when accredited to the White House, was also permanent representative to the OAS, where I had the pleasure of working with him and admiring his talents in the multilateral field,” said Brazilian Ambassador to Jamaica Cezar De Souza Lima Amaral.

“Already, he was the strongest and most respected voice defending the interest of Jamaica and the Caribbean and when necessary, a tough negotiator.”

The Order of the Rio Branco was created in 1993 by the Brazilian government and named after the Baron Rio Branco in recognition and celebration of the merits of Brazilian and foreign individuals who have significantly contributed to the promotion of Brazil’s relation around the world.

Bernal said the award must be shared with those persons who have had hand in his achievements.

Noting that he was destined to for public service, Ambassador Bernal said it was his way of giving back to his country.

“I accept this award with humility, gratitude and a renewed sense of commitment and dedication to build a better world,” he said. Ambassador Bernal was, before his RNM appointment, Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States and permanent representative to the Organisation of American States.

davidsont@jamaicaobserver.com