In a significant diplomatic development, the Dominican Republic has been formally designated as the host nation for the 41st Session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). The high-level gathering is scheduled to take place from October 7-9, 2026, in the historic city of Santiago de los Caballeros.
The hosting agreement was ceremonially signed in Santiago, Chile, by Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez and ECLAC Secretary Luis Fidel Yáñez. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Dominican Ambassador to Chile Juan Cohen, marking a milestone in regional cooperation.
This premier convening will assemble foreign ministers, senior government officials, and distinguished experts from across Latin America and the Caribbean. The agenda will focus on addressing the most pressing economic, social, and environmental challenges confronting the region. ECLAC authorities emphasized that the session will provide a crucial platform for fostering multilateral dialogue and strengthening collaborative initiatives among member states.
Foreign Minister Álvarez characterized the host selection as a testament to ECLAC’s confidence in the Dominican Republic’s leadership and institutional capabilities. He further emphasized that this decision highlights the government’s steadfast dedication to multilateral engagement and sustainable regional development. The choice of Santiago de los Caballeros—a major economic, cultural, and academic hub outside the capital—reflects the administration’s strategic priority to promote decentralized growth and stimulate investment opportunities throughout the country’s diverse regions.