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ORGANIZATION FOR THE SMALLEST ECONOMIES IN THE WORLD
The world's first organization
supporting nations with the smallest economic potential
The Organization for the Smallest Economies in the World (OSEW), headquartered in New York and soon also in Geneva, is an international non-profit organization that dedicated to supporting the World’s Smallest Economies (WSE), which collectively generated just 1% of global GDP (2019). This group comprises 93 countries—nearly half of the United Nations’ 193 member states. The limited attention these economies receive from the global community, the challenges and constraints they face, their considerable untapped potential, the likelihood of their growing importance in the future, and the absence of any international organization dedicated to supporting the World's Smallest Economies, are the reasons why OSEW was established.
Global community's limited interest
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The prevailing global tendency to focus on large economies has led to the marginalization of the smallest economies. Although all states are granted equal status within the United Nations, where each of the 193 member states holds one vote regardless of size, population, or level of economic development, the WSE are frequently overlooked by the international community. Scholarly literature on these states remains sparse, and they attract limited attention from academics, policymakers, and world leaders. Similarly, media coverage of the WSE is generally minimal and episodic in nature. When these states do garner global attention, it is typically within the context of crises—such as armed conflicts, threats to international security, or illicit financial activities, including money laundering. In rare instances, they are noted for exceptional performance in global sporting events. However, once these episodes subside, the WSE are often relegated once more to the periphery of global discourse and quickly forgotten.​
Challenges and constrains​​​​​
The WSE face many challenges and constraints, primarily due to their small economic potential. These include vulnerability to global economic fluctuations; limited economic diversification; high dependence on imports leading on reliance on external markets; restricted access to international markets due to logistical constraints, high transportation costs, and a lack of competitiveness; and a high level of migration resulting in a deficit of professionals. The limited capacity of the public and private sectors, including the legal and judicial infrastructures, means that they have no alternative but to depend on the larger economies and their decisions. A further challenge is posed by the environmental issues faced particularly by the island economies, which make up more than a third of the group. The adverse effects of climate change, including rising sea levels, increased incidence of natural disasters, and environmental degradation, have a detrimental impact on their economies.​​​
Considerable untapped potential​​​​​
The WSE possess substantial, yet underutilized, potential. This includes their population—over half a billion people who represent potential customers for products from larger economies seeking avenues for expansion. A significant portion of this population is young, and with adequate investment in education and skills development, they could be transformed into valuable human capital. In addition, many of the WSE are endowed with significant deposits of valuable minerals, located both within their national territories and in their Exclusive Economic Zones. The availability of vast tracts of arable land further offers opportunities for agricultural development, food production, and export. Climatic and geographical features—predominantly warm year-round, with extensive coastlines in most of the WSE—create favorable conditions for the development of tourism. This potential is further enhanced by relatively unspoiled natural environments and a unique cultural heritage. A cultural mosaic significantly enhances the attractiveness of the WSE as emerging tourist destinations.
Outlook of growing significance
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The accelerated processes of globalization, which began in the final decades of the 20th century, have brought not only greater interdependence among states but also their deeper integration into the global economy. This integration is likely to intensify, driven by the growing demand from larger economies for mineral resources, marine resources from Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), agricultural land for cultivation, new tourist destinations—preferably those with pristine natural environments and unique cultural heritage—new markets for product distribution, and labor resources, all of which the WSE have to offer. In this context, the strategic relevance of small economies will inevitably increase. The growing flow of capital, goods, services, people, and information between the WSE and other economies will foster even greater integration of the WSE into the global economy, while simultaneously enhancing their visibility and importance on the international stage.
OSEW’s core objectives are to raise global awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by the World’s Smallest Economies, to enhance their visibility on the international stage, and to support their sustainable economic, social, and environmental development through academic research and business consultancy. To achieve these goals, OSEW cooperates with distinguished academic scholars, business leaders, diplomats, and government representatives, while also working with governments and academic institutions in the WSE, as well as with international organizations and the private sector.​​
Organization structure
OSEW Board of Trustees
​​Dr. Aneta A. Teperek
Founder & Chair, Board of Trustee
Academic researcher and books author on the world’s smallest economies, as well as entrepreneur with long-standing business experience as multi-business founder and CEO, board advisor and business consultant
After graduating from the Warsaw School of Economics (MSc in Finance and Banking) in Poland, completed several executive education programs at Harvard Business School and the Wharton School in the United States over the course of two years, followed by more than two decades of a business career in the private sector, serving as founder and CEO of several successful start-ups in IT international consulting, real estate development, and international trade. Entrepreneurial activities, combined with extensive international travel and visits to over 80 countries, together with a strong interest in multiculturalism and international economics, led to undertaking academic research on the world’s smallest economies. This resulted in a doctoral dissertation defended at the Warsaw School of Economics (PhD in Social Sciences) in Poland, two years of postdoctoral studies at the Polytechnic University of Leiria in Portugal, and a one-year fellowship program at the Geneva Graduate Institute in Switzerland, as well as numerous publications on the economic development of the world’s smallest economies published by publishing houses like Springer and Palgrave Macmillan. Combined business experience and skills, together with a passion for scientific research, led to the establishment of OSEW, supporting the world’s smallest economies through academic research and business consultancy.
​​Jonathan Warburton
Trustee, Board of Trustee
Investment banker and advisor with in corporate finance, privatization, and strategic advisory across CEEMEA, former Managing Director and Head of Citi’s CEEMEA’s Financial Institutions Investment Banking business, and former Head of BNP Paribas' Western, Central and Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and African Corporate Finance business
After graduating from the University of Oxford (BA) in the UK, began career in the City with J.Henry Schroder Wagg & Co Ltd., working on corporate finance projects in the UK before joining the Central and European executive team, advising a number of governments on privatizations in the region as well as advising international corporations investing there. Following the acquisition of the Schroders’ corporate finance business by Citigroup, he spent nearly a decade as Managing Director and Head of Citi’s Central and Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and African (CEEMEA) Financial Institutions Investment Banking business, advising a range of governments on banking privatizations and both regional and international banks and insurers on both M&A and capital raising assignments. His in-depth knowledge of the Central and Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and African (CEEMEA) region led him to his appointment as Head of Rothschild’s CEEMEA Financial Institutions advisory business, and then as Head of BNP Paribas’ EMEA Banks Corporate Finance Team for Western Europe in addition to Central and Eastern Europe for seven years. In this role, he advised Banco de Portugal on the resolution of BES (which became Novo Banco) among other projects in Western Europe. Following this, he became an independent consultant, providing advisory services to clients across the CEEMEA region.
Michał Barłowski​​
Trustee, Board of Trustee
Corporate and civil law attorney with extensive, long-standing academic and practical experience in commercial, contract and insolvency law
Graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science (BSc in Economics) in the UK and the University of Warsaw (MA in Law) in Poland. Co-founder in the 1990s of one of Poland’s first English-Polish legal partnerships with London-based Amhurst Brown Colombotti—an exceptional and prestigious collaboration of its time. Later, for more than two decades, served as a senior partner in one of Poland’s most reputable legal practices, heading the Bankruptcy and Restructuring Practice Group and co-heading the Mergers and Acquisitions Department. Member of the management and supervisory boards of numerous private and public companies. Repeatedly appointed to the European Commission’s expert groups in Brussels. Author of numerous international publications in the field of law, published by Globe Law and Business, CH Beck, International Trade Reporter/Bloomberg BNA, Oxford University Press. Served as the Polish correspondent for the World Bank and for International Corporate Rescue (Chase Cambria Publishing). Active member of the International Bar Association (IBA) in the UK, New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) in the USA, Conference on European Restructuring and Insolvency Law (CERIL) in the Netherlands, Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA) in France, and Insolvency Lawyers’ Association (ILA) in the UK. Frequent moderator, lecturer, and speaker at conferences organised by these organisations as well as at the Academy of European Law in Germany.
Anders Lundvig Hansen​
Trustee, Board of Trustee
Private sector entrepreneur engaged in managing and developing ventures in Denmark, Portugal and Spain; risk management advisor; academic researcher
Graduate from Salford University (MSc in Fraud & Risk Management), Robert Kennedy College in Switzerland, Aalborg Business School in Denmark and Niels Brock Copenhagen Business College – Denmark’s oldest business school. Completed multiple executive education programmes at Deakin University in Australia and Coventry University in the UK. Owner and co-owner of several companies in Denmark and Portugal, specializing in the distribution and trade sports equipment. Co-owner of a large-scale sporting event company. Property investor in Denmark and co-owner of real estate brokerage firm in Portugal. In parallel, pursued a long-standing passion for risk management by undertaking further studies and subsequently providing consultancy in the field, supporting companies in identifying, assessing, and mitigating operational, financial, and strategic risks; establishing robust compliance frameworks; and ensuring alignment with international regulations and industry best practices. Published author in finance, with a focus on the smallest economies in North and South America. Speaks six languages, including three fluently.
OSEW Advisory Board​
Tadeusz Kościński
​​
Former Finance Minister
Former Minister of Funds
and Regional Policy of Poland​
Radwan Loufti
​​
Ambassador of Syria to Poland,
former Ambassador of Syria to Yugoslavia, Armenia, Libya,
United Kingdom, Germany, Pakistan​
Oyundari Navaan-Yunde
​​
Ambassador of Mongolia to Poland, former Vice Minister
Adviser to the government
Adviser international corporations​
Prof. Paulo Jorge Almeida
​​
Full Professor in Tourism
Coordinating Professor - Polytechnic University of Leiria
National Director of the research center CiTUR in Portugal​​​
Prof. Anastase Shyaka
​​
Ambassador of Rwanda to Poland
Former Minister
of Local Government in Rwanda
Former CEO of Rwanda Governance Board​​
OSEW Scientific Board
Composed of professors specializing in different academic disciplines,
such as economics, finance, geography, demography, tourism, agriculture, environmental, culture, education, and public health, among others
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OSEW Honorary Board
Composed of one honorary representative from each of the 93 smallest economies in the world
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Research and Advisory Committees
Composed of specialists from academia and the business community, proposing solutions, developing standards, assessing data,
and reviewing policy actions and best socioeconomic practices in the world’s smallest wconomies
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Operations Division
Composed of lawyers, financiers, fundraisers, and other specialists carrying out the operational work,
financial management, fundraising, and administrative support of OSEW​
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much
- Helen Keller -
OSEW raises global awareness
supports a deeper understanding of the challenge
advances sustainable economic, social, and environmental development
promotes international cooperation of the WSE
OSEW's mission
is to contribute to a greater global awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by the World's Smallest Economies, as well as to promote their international cooperation, while supporting sustainable economic, social, political, and environmental development. This is achieve through research focusing on identifying, the causes of the discrepancies in the levels of socioeconomic development among the World's Smallest Economies, the challenges faced by these economies, the development potential they possess, with the aim of enhancing the functioning of these states. OSEW supports the exchange of knowledge, technology, and best practices across the World's Smallest Economies, while also drawing on the experiences of other countries. The overarching goal of OSEW is to improve the living conditions of people in the least developed of these nations by helping them to strengthen their economic potential.
OSEW's vision
is to create a global environment in which the World's Smallest Economies can achieve their full potential while achieving sustainable economic, social, political, and environmental development. OSEW aims to become a leading support center of support for these nations, helping them to overcome challenges and contribute to their lasting growth and development.
OSEW fulfills its mission by implementing a diverse range
of education-based projects, carried out through its specialized divisions
OSEW TOURISM — OSEW INNOVATION — OSEW TRADE — OSEW CULTURE
in close collaboration with leading experts in each field
OSEW's initiatives
Data Collection
Collecting and monitoring of economic data on the World’s Smallest Economies to track their socioeconomic development, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of OSEW's implemented strategies and programs.
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Analyzing the varied levels of economic development in the World’s Smallest Economies and the factors contributing to them, as well as identifying the social, political, and environmental challenges these economies face, along with exploring potential opportunities for development.
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Disseminating research-based knowledge on the World’s Smallest Economies through the publication of annual research reports, articles, and short socioeconomic and policy briefs that highlight effective socioeconomic practices successfully implemented in small economies.
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Promoting the world's 93 smallest economies on social media platforms through infographics, videos, and blogs showcasing their history, natural environment, unique cultural heritage, and innovations.
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Hosting an annual World's Smallest Economies Forum to brings together policymakers, academics, leaders of the World’s Smallest Economies, representatives of international organizations, and entrepreneurs to foster global awareness of their unique challenges and contributions. Additionally, hosting conferences and seminars to promote economic development of these nations, focusing on tourism, FDI, and trade.
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Attending global events to raise awareness of the World’s Smallest Economies, enhance their global visibility, highlight their unique opportunities and promote positive associations related to the World's Smallest Economies. Supporting their international cooperation with other countries and with themselves. Also, seeking aid for the least developed smallest economies in order to improve the living conditions of the societies in these countries.
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Supporting partnerships between policymakers, entrepreneurs, researchers in the World's Smallest Economies and representatives of international organizations, academic institutions, and entrepreneurs from other countries to exchange knowledge and experiences that benefit small economies (e.g., information on development programs offered by international organizations; effective practices used in the most developed small economies, and the latest technologies adopted in other countries). Additionally, organizing student exchanges and internship programs between the World’s Smallest Economies, while providing support for startups and innovation development in these economies.
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Providing remunerated advisory services to governments, corporations, private investors, and organizations seeking expertise on the World's Smallest Economies, including market analysis, policy assessments, and strategic planning. Additionally, offering consulting services to the World's Smallest Economies in order to address their needs. These services include the provision of workshops with the aim of enhancing education levels, training programs for government officials and entrepreneurs, socioeconomic recommendations and guidance aligned with global sustainability standards that aim to support sustainable development in the smallest economies, as well as recommendations to improve international perception, and strengthen economic credibility.​​
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Research and Analysis
Social Media
and Digital Advocacy​
International Forum
Conferences and Seminars
Global Events
Participation​
International Cooperation
and Knowledge Exchange​
Consulting Services​
Publications​
99 Wall Street #1493, New York, NY 10005, USA
info@osew.org
OSEW is managed by Organization for the Smallest Economies in the World Inc.
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