The ACS Convention prescribes a four-year term for the Office of Secretary General. The current Secretary General, Prof. Norman Girvan took office on February 1, 2000 and his term would have expired on January 31, 2004. However, during the 9th Ordinary Meeting of the ACS Ministerial Council held in Panama last November, it was agreed to extend Girvan's term to February 29, 2004; in view of the fact that the 4th ACS Summit will be held in Panama on February 13-14, 2004.

Girvan is due to take up an appointment as Professorial Research Fellow at the University of the West Indies, Institute of International Relations, in St. Augustine, Trinidad, with effect from May 1, 2004.