The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has announced with profound sorrow the passing of Dr. William Warren Smith, CD, the esteemed former President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and a revered figure in regional economics. Recognized as a visionary development economist, Dr. Smith’s career was characterized by an unwavering dedication to the advancement of the Caribbean region.
His distinguished service included transformative leadership roles at the helm of the Caribbean Development Bank and LIAT (1974) Ltd., in addition to holding several high-level governmental positions in his native Jamaica. Colleagues and contemporaries consistently highlighted the intellectual rigor, unwavering integrity, and profound commitment to social betterment that defined his professional ethos. Dr. Smith was widely regarded as a source of thoughtful counsel and a paradigm of principled governance, leaving an indelible mark on the institutions he served.
In an official statement, CARICOM expressed its deep condolences, extending sympathies to Dr. Smith’s bereaved family, friends, and his former colleagues across the numerous organizations he uplifted with his expertise. His legacy is enshrined in the continued pursuit of economic resilience and improved quality of life for the people of the Caribbean, a mission he championed throughout his illustrious career.