The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has expressed profound sorrow following the passing of Dr. William Warren Smith, CD, the former President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), who died on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Dr. Smith was celebrated as a distinguished development economist whose career left an indelible mark on the region.
Throughout his esteemed career, Dr. Smith demonstrated exceptional dedication and visionary leadership across multiple pivotal institutions. He provided strategic direction at the helm of the Caribbean Development Bank and LIAT (Leeward Islands Air Transport), in addition to holding several high-level governmental positions in his native Jamaica. His professional approach was characterized by intellectual rigor, unwavering integrity, and a profound commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Caribbean citizens.
Widely respected throughout the regional community, Dr. Smith was renowned for his thoughtful counsel and principled governance style that earned him the admiration of colleagues and stakeholders alike. CARICOM has extended its heartfelt condolences to Dr. Smith’s family, friends, and former colleagues during this period of mourning.
The Caribbean Community, established on July 4, 1973, through the Treaty of Chaguaramas (revised in 2001), represents fifteen Member States and six Associate Members with a combined population of approximately sixteen million. The organization, headquartered in Georgetown, Guyana, operates as one of the developing world’s most successful integration models, focusing on economic integration, foreign policy coordination, human development, and security cooperation.