Tribute to the Life and Legacy of Dr. William Warren Smith, CD
Former President of the Caribbean Development Bank (2011–2021)
In Honour and Memory of a Life Committed to Service
It is with profound sadness that the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) joins the regional and international community in mourning the passing of a titan of Caribbean development, Dr. William Warren Smith.
Dr. Smith’s tenure as the fifth President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) was defined by a period of unprecedented global and regional volatility. From the lingering shadows of the 2008 financial crisis to the cataclysmic impacts of the 2017 hurricane season and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Warren Smith remained a steady, resolute hand at the helm. He was not merely a financier; he was a visionary architect of Caribbean resilience.
A Legacy of Resilience and Reform
Under Dr. Smith’s leadership, the CDB underwent a transformative evolution. He championed the "building back better" philosophy long before it became a global mantra, ensuring that the Bank’s interventions were anchored in climate adaptation and sustainable infrastructure. His key contributions include:
- Financial Mobilization: Overseeing the approval of over US$3 billion in regional financing, including significant grant resources for the most vulnerable.
- Institutional Governance: The establishment of the Office of Risk Management and the Office of Integrity, Compliance and Accountability, which elevated the Bank’s standing with international partners.
- Regional Expansion: Successfully overseeing the expansion of the Bank’s membership to include Brazil and Suriname, broadening the institution's reach and resources.
Impact on the OECS
For the OECS, Warren Smith was more than a regional partner; he was a steadfast ally of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). He possessed a deep, nuanced understanding of the unique vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
His commitment to our Member States was evidenced by his relentless support for the geothermal energy potential in the Eastern Caribbean and his instrumental role in securing a $50 million COVID-19 Line of Credit for OECS countries during our hour of greatest need. He understood that for the Caribbean to thrive, the OECS must be stable, integrated, and empowered.
A Principled Leader
Beyond the balance sheets and policy frameworks, Dr. Smith will be remembered for his integrity and his mentorship. He demanded excellence because he believed the people of the Caribbean deserved nothing less. He was a "distinguished son of Jamaica" who spent his life’s work ensuring that regional institutions were modern, efficient, and, above all, fully on the side of the Caribbean people.
Expression of Sympathy
On behalf of the OECS Commission and the member states of our Union, I extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to his wife and family. We share in your grief and hope that you find comfort in the knowledge that his legacy is etched into the very landscape of our islands: in the roads he helped build, the communities he helped protect, and the regional spirit he helped fortify.
May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his life continue to inspire future generations of Caribbean leaders.
Didacus Jules, Ph.D.
Director General, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)
Media contact
OECS Communications Unit