In a formal ceremony held in New York City this week, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader has been honored with the Gold Badge, the highest distinction bestowed by the Americas Society, in recognition of his transformative leadership at home, successful post-pandemic economic recovery, and unwavering commitment to democratic governance and cross-regional collaboration. The award was officially presented to Abinader by Susan Segal, President and CEO of Americas Society/Council of the Americas, and Andrés Gluski, the organization’s board chairman. The president was joined at the event by First Lady Raquel Arbaje, their daughters, and Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Víctor “Ito” Bisonó.
In his acceptance address, President Abinader outlined the striking socioeconomic advances his administration has delivered over recent years, citing official domestic data to underscore progress. He noted that the Dominican Republic has maintained a steady 4.5% annual economic growth rate, while cutting the national monetary poverty rate nearly in half from 26% in 2019 to just 14.5% in the first half of 2026. Prevalence of undernourishment across the country has also plummeted over his tenure, dropping from 8.7% to less than 2.5%, he added.
Looking ahead to the full year, Abinader projected that the Dominican Republic will welcome close to 12.4 million international tourists by the end of 2026, a new milestone for the country’s key tourism sector. He also forecast that total foreign direct investment inflows will surpass $5.2 billion this year. Abinader highlighted the rapid expansion of the country’s free trade zones, growing exports of medical devices and electronic equipment, and his administration’s forward-looking policy focus on emerging high-growth sectors including artificial intelligence and semiconductor assembly.
Beyond economic progress, the president emphasized his administration’s longstanding commitment to strengthening democratic institutions across the Dominican Republic. He pointed to the 2024 constitutional reform that codified a two-term limit for sitting presidents, framing the measure as a core part of his administration’s lasting legacy. He used the occasion to reaffirm the Dominican Republic’s dedication to upholding democratic norms and deepening collaborative ties across the Americas.
The Gold Badge, the Americas Society’s most prestigious award, is reserved exclusively for democratically elected leaders whose work has delivered significant, long-lasting positive impact to their nations and the broader Western Hemisphere. In his opening remarks ahead of the award presentation, Gluski praised Abinader for his effective leadership steering the Dominican Republic through post-crisis economic recovery, strengthening national public institutions, advancing regional cooperation on public security, and building more resilient global supply chains with partners across the hemisphere.