The Hon. Patrick Manning Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Toabgo.

As a young Representative, Patrick Manning was appointed as a Parliamentary Secretary in Ministries ranging from Works and Transport, Industry and Commerce, to Petroleum and Mines, serving under Prime Ministers Dr. Eric Williams, then Mr. George Chambers. He became a full-fledged Minister in 1981 holding the portfolios of Industry and Commerce, Information then Energy and Natural Resources.

When the PNM lost the General Election in 1986 after 25 years, Mr. Manning was one of three PNM candidates who retained their Parliamentary seats. He then became the Leader of the Opposition and within 2 months was elected to the post of Political Leader of the PNM. In 1991 Mr. Manning was elected Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

Mr. Manning entered politics in 1971, at age 24, as the People's National Movement candidate for the Constituency of San Fernando East, emerging victorious in the General Election of that year. He has won this seat in every General Election since; totalling 9 contests to date. He lost the General Election of 1995, returning to the position of Leader of the Opposition for the following six years. In 2001, when a deadlock arose in the House of Representatives, Mr. Manning was appointed Prime Minister by President Arthur N.R. Robinson. A General Election was then held on October 7th, 2002 and Mr. Manning again emerged victorious. He is currently the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance.

Born in San Fernando in 1946, Mr. Manning attained his primary and secondary education in South Trinidad, followed by his B.Sc. Degree (Special Honours) in Geology at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica. Mr. Manning has extensive experience in the Energy Industry. He is highly regarded in the local community for his integrity and his passionate commitment to the needs of the country's social sector.

In December 2003, Prime Minister Manning was awarded the Guyana Institute for Democracy "Democracy Prize" for his outstanding work in upholding the principles of democracy in the Caribbean region.

He is well-respected in the international community for his vision as a new-style Caribbean leader bent on having Trinidad and Tobago not only grow to developed country status on or before the year 2020, but simultaneously contribute to the development of fellow Regional States. In December 2004, he was awarded the Caribbean - Central American Action's "Star of the Caribbean Award", for his unwavering support of Caribbean neighbours in their time of distress.

In September 2007 Medgar Evers College of Brooklyn New York conferred The Doctor of Laws degree Honoris Causa on the Honourable Patrick Manning in recognition of his unflagging dedication during his thirty-six year tenure in public service.

Mr. Manning is married to the Honourable Hazel Manning, current Minister of Local Government, and they have two sons - Brian and David.