Dr William W. Smith, former President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), died yesterday, Friday, January 30, 2026. Photo: Internet Source

A VI delegation meeting with the late Dr William W. Smith (second from right) during a high-level meeting on reconstruction in October 2018. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

The former President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), died yesterday, Friday, January 30, 2026. He was first elected to the position in October 2010 and served two terms from 2011 to 2021. 

“His leadership contributed to the development of policies which enhanced regional cooperation,” the condolence message posted to the Office of the Premier’s Facebook page stated. 

The VI, it continued, benefited from the late Dr Smith’s leadership and compassion. 

“We shall never forget that in our darkest hour, following the disasters of 2017, Dr Smith was pivotal in the Virgin Islands securing loans to rebuild, especially following Hurricane Irma. His consideration and support [were] critical as we rebuilt our nation.”

The post added that Dr Smith possessed a profound understanding of the development challenges within the region and worked diligently to assist our states with long-term sustainability at the core of policy.

“The Virgin Islands remembers his care shown towards us and celebrate[s] his unwavering, measured, steady and brilliant service to the region.”

A distinguished economist

 Dr Smith was a Jamaican economist who served as the CDB’s fifth President. Among the honours bestowed on him was Jamaica’s Order of Distinction (Commander Class).

President of the CDB, Daniel M. Best, called the late Dr Smith his mentor and a guide at many critical junctures during his career. 

“He devoted his life's work to the proposition that Caribbean people deserve strong, modern institutions that are fully on their side…He demanded excellence from those around him because he believed deeply in our collective responsibility to serve the Caribbean with integrity, rigour, and purpose.”

Mr Best said the legacy of his predecessor lives on in the institution he helped strengthen, the people he shaped, and the development path he helped chart for the region.