Joel K. Richards

Joel K. Richards is an accomplished International Relations and Trade Specialist with over 17 years of expertise in multilateral diplomacy, international trade policy and private sector engagement. He has provided high-level strategic counsel to government ministers, senior officials, and intergovernmental organizations, helping shape global trade negotiations and regional economic policies.

Currently serving as Officer in Charge, Economic Affairs and Regional Integration Division at the Commission of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Joel plays a pivotal role in advancing economic integration and trade policy across Member States.

Joel is also the Senior Technical Specialist – Trade, at the OECS Mission in Geneva. In this regard, he is a recognized global leader in trade diplomacy, he has co-convened WTO Dispute Settlement System Reform Negotiations and facilitated WTO discussions on Technology Transfer to Least Developed Countries (LDCs). He has also served as the Focal Point for the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) Group on WTO Reform.

Joel has a strong academic background, holding an MSc in International Trade Policy (Distinction) and a BSc in International Relations, from the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill and Mona Campuses respectively. He is also pursuing a PhD in International Relations, focusing on China’s Strategy of Global Engagement from the Perspective of Small States.

Beyond his diplomatic work, he is a dedicated educator, serving as an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus where he teaches courses on international trade negotiations, e-commerce, and trade in services on the Masters in International Trade Policy (MITP) Programme.

A thought leader and advocate for sustainable trade and development, Joel’s career reflects a commitment to fostering economic resilience, promoting fair trade policies, and ensuring that small states have a strong voice in the international arena.