Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – President Luis Abinader officially launched the 2025 International Transport Policy Dialogue, a pivotal two-day regional conference co-organized by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the International Transport Forum (ITF). Held under the theme “Transportation as a Driver of Development for Resilience and Competitiveness,” the event convened ministers, industry leaders, and experts from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe to address pressing challenges in the transport sector.
In his opening address, President Abinader emphasized the critical role of transportation as the foundation of economic and social progress. He articulated that investments in mobility are investments in equity, productivity, and future growth. Abinader showcased significant infrastructure advancements under his administration, including the rehabilitation of highways and rural roads, the modernization of the Manzanillo port, and the expansion of integrated Metro, Cable Car, and Monorail systems in Santo Domingo and Santiago. He described these initiatives as transformative milestones in the Dominican Republic’s mobility landscape.
The forum aims to tackle key issues such as sustainable financing, the adoption of electric and clean mobility solutions, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), climate resilience, and road safety. Abinader expressed gratitude to the IDB and ITF for their ongoing partnership and called for a unified regional action pact to promote sustainable, safe, and accessible transportation systems. This dialogue follows the Dominican Republic’s 2024 accession as a full member of the ITF, a significant step in aligning the nation with global sustainable development goals.