The Caribbean development community mourns the profound loss of Dr. William Warren Smith, whose visionary leadership as President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) reshaped regional economic resilience. The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) joined global partners in honoring the legacy of this transformative figure who steered the region through unprecedented challenges.
During his tenure as the CDB’s fifth President, Dr. Smith navigated multiple crises including the lingering effects of the 2008 financial collapse, devastating 2017 hurricanes, and the COVID-19 pandemic. His strategic approach transformed the institution into a bastion of stability and innovation, embedding climate adaptation and sustainable infrastructure as core principles long before these concepts gained global prominence.
Among his landmark achievements, Dr. Smith orchestrated the approval of over US$3 billion in regional financing, with significant grant allocations directed toward the most vulnerable nations. He fundamentally strengthened the Bank’s institutional framework through establishing the Office of Risk Management and the Office of Integrity, Compliance and Accountability, enhancing both governance standards and international credibility.
Dr. Smith’s diplomatic acumen facilitated the historic expansion of CDB membership to include Brazil and Suriname, substantially broadening the institution’s resource base and hemispheric influence. His particular dedication to the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union manifested in groundbreaking initiatives including the development of geothermal energy potential and the securing of a critical $50 million COVID-19 Line of Credit for OECS members during the pandemic’s most severe phase.
Beyond his technical accomplishments, Dr. Smith will be remembered as a mentor and principled leader who demanded excellence in service to Caribbean citizens. His profound understanding of Small Island Developing States’ unique vulnerabilities informed every policy decision and strategic direction.
The OECS Commission and member states extended deepest condolences to his family, noting that his physical legacy endures in strengthened infrastructure, protected communities, and a fortified regional spirit that will continue inspiring future generations of Caribbean leadership.