Abinader and Kathy Hochul announce agreement to strengthen Dominican Republic–New York cooperation

In a landmark move to enhance bilateral relations, President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic and New York State Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a groundbreaking agreement aimed at deepening cultural, social, and economic cooperation between the two regions. The partnership, formalized through a Declaration of Intent, focuses on joint efforts in disaster preparedness, agricultural innovation, and sustainable economic development. The agreement was signed by Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez and Governor Hochul, with President Abinader in attendance, marking a significant step in fostering collaboration. Key initiatives include sharing best practices, launching joint training programs in emergency management, and leveraging advanced technologies such as NUAIR drone systems for disaster assessment and prevention. President Abinader underscored the potential of this partnership to open new opportunities in security, education, tourism, and health, benefiting Dominicans both domestically and abroad. He acknowledged Congressman Adriano Espaillat’s pivotal role in facilitating the agreement and expressed gratitude to Governor Hochul for her visit, referring to New York as a ‘second home for Dominicans.’ Governor Hochul emphasized the strong cultural and economic ties between New York and the Dominican Republic, noting the presence of over one million Dominicans in her state. She announced the inclusion of the Dominican Republic in New York’s Global Trade Program, which aims to boost investment and innovation in sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and drone technology.