As top diplomatic delegates from across the globe gather in New York for the 81st iteration of the United Nations General Assembly, the Dominican Republic has laid out a clear, priority-driven agenda that balances regional security concerns and economic advancement, according to the country’s top foreign affairs official. Foreign Minister Víctor “Ito” Bisonó laid out the Dominican delegation’s core focuses for the high-profile multilateral gathering, ranging from the ongoing crisis in neighboring Haiti to expanding bilateral ties, boosting cross-border trade, drawing in foreign direct investment, and expanding global market access for Dominican exports.
Among all the topics on the agenda, Bisonó emphasized that securing the renewal of an international security mission in Haiti stands as one of the Dominican Republic’s most critical asks. He explained that sustained stability in Haiti is not an isolated regional concern, but directly tied to the Dominican Republic’s own domestic public security and long-term employment outlook, given the deep social and economic interconnectedness of the two neighboring nations that share the island of Hispaniola.
On the bilateral side of Bisonó’s schedule during the General Assembly, the Dominican foreign minister is set to hold a high-stakes meeting with his Russian counterpart to discuss developments in Haiti and a range of other mutual issues. Bisonó also confirmed that recent talks between Dominican and Haitian foreign ministry leaders have already produced alignment, with both sides agreeing to maintain a coordinated, unified stance when advocating for the renewal of the international support mission.
Turning to one of the Dominican Republic’s most important bilateral partnerships, Bisonó underscored the outsized positive impact the United States has on the Dominican national economy. The U.S. drives major economic activity in the country through four key channels: remittances from Dominican diaspora communities, international tourist arrivals, Dominican export access to the large U.S. market, and foreign direct investment. Bisonó revealed that ongoing negotiations between the two governments are currently centered on tariff-related policy adjustments, with the Dominican side working to safeguard domestic economic interests and create more favorable conditions for both national investment and export growth.
Following the conclusion of the United Nations General Assembly proceedings in New York, Bisonó announced he will travel south to Washington, D.C. for a series of official engagements with senior U.S. government representatives. The meetings are scheduled to include talks with officials from the White House, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Department of Energy.
In a major shift for the Dominican Foreign Ministry, Bisonó also announced that the department will take on a far more active role in driving the country’s economic goals moving forward. The institution will prioritize supporting Dominican export expansion, attracting new foreign investment, and backing domestic producers, with all Dominican ambassadors and consuls around the world being directed to proactively identify new business opportunities and actively promote Dominican goods and services in their host countries. To further streamline regional trade logistics, Bisonó also highlighted the ongoing development of dry ports along the Dominican-Haitian border, a project designed to strengthen cross-border supply chains and facilitate smoother bilateral trade flows.
Foreign Minister Bisonó highlights Haiti, trade and investment as Dominican priorities at UN General Assembly
