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  • Armed gang robs crew at waterfront

    Armed gang robs crew at waterfront

    A brazen armed robbery that has shocked local law enforcement unfolded Sunday night near the Port of Spain waterfront, when a dozen attackers boarded a moored cargo vessel and stole thousands of dollars in cash and personal and nautical valuables from three crew members. The unusual incident, which unfolded steps from one of the capital’s most high-profile hotels, marked an unprecedented act of maritime banditry in the heart of Trinidad’s capital, according to senior police officials.

    The targeted vessel, the C Elizabeth II, was secured alongside a maintenance barge for routine repairs just a short distance from Trinidad’s Hyatt Regency hotel when the attack began at approximately 10:30 p.m. Authorities confirmed the 12 attackers were heavily armed, carrying not just firearms but also edged weapons including cutlasses and axes, as they stormed the ship and declared their robbery to the crew on board.

    Three crew members were on the vessel during the boarding: the ship’s captain, a national of Grenada, one crew member from Malick, Barataria, and a third from St. Vincent. The gang stole a wide range of property from the men, including personal items like mobile phones, gold and silver jewelry, and cash, alongside critical nautical equipment. Among the stolen goods were a GPS navigation system, a 100-liter oxygen tank, a 100-liter gas tank, an inflatable dinghy and a small outboard engine. As of initial investigations, the total value of all stolen property has not yet been finalized.

    After completing the robbery, the suspects fled the anchored vessel in a small pirogue, leaving the three crew members unharmed but shaken by the incident. In an unexpected twist that has baffled investigators, the stolen property was partially returned less than seven hours after the attack. The captain told police that at around 5 a.m. Monday, he spotted a group of men in a pirogue approaching the C Elizabeth II, who attached the previously stolen dinghy to the ship before departing the area again. When crew checked the returned dinghy, they found the stolen engine, gas tank and other stolen equipment inside it, still intact.

    Local law enforcement personnel have launched a full investigation into the incident. Officers Cpl Balchan and PC Phillip were first on the scene, processing forensic evidence and documenting the site with photographs, while PC Dopwell officially logged the incident report and requested access to nearby closed-circuit television footage to identify the attackers. Investigators are still awaiting formal statements from the three victims, and the investigation remains ongoing.

    Contacted for comment on the unprecedented robbery, a senior Trinidadian police official told reporters he could not recall any similar armed robbery of a cargo vessel occurring so close to the core of the capital city. Troy Persad, president of the Shipping Association of Trinidad and Tobago, confirmed the organization would launch its own internal review of the incident to assess port security and identify any gaps that allowed the attack to occur. Jearlean John, Trinidad’s Minister of Works and Infrastructure, which oversees port operations, stated she had not yet been briefed on the robbery when contacted for comment.

  • 2 held in extortion ring

    2 held in extortion ring

    Extortion has long evolved far beyond the brute-force shakedowns of small business owners that dominate public perception, according to a senior Trinidadian law enforcement official, who detailed increasingly sophisticated, exploitative criminal schemes preying on shame, fear and secrecy. The comments came hours after officers from the country’s Anti-Extortion Unit (AEU) took two suspects into custody at their separate residences in Caparo early yesterday, marking the latest progress in an ongoing crackdown on the pervasive crime.

    Acting between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., a tactical AEU team led by Acting Commissioner of Police Richard Smith, and including Corporals Baksh and Rampersad, executed targeted raids at two addresses: one on Hall Street, just off Todds Road, and a second property directly on Todds Road. The two arrestees, aged 32 and 38, were transported to AEU headquarters in Chaguanas, where they remained in custody for questioning as of last night.

    In an exclusive interview with the Express following the arrests, the unnamed senior AEU officer laid out one of the most common predatory new tactics: catfishing extortion via the popular LGBTQ+ dating app Grindr. He explained that perpetrators lure unsuspecting users into prearranged casual intimate encounters, secretly record the meeting, then demand cash payment to prevent the explicit footage from being shared publicly on social media. What makes this scheme so pernicious, the officer added, is that most victims are too afraid of social embarrassment to come forward and report the crime, even when the extortionists demand high-value payments. Multiple victims have already surrendered their vehicles to satisfy the extortionists’ demands, he confirmed.

    Beyond the dating app scam, the officer outlined a second elaborate con that targets vulnerable people with deep pockets. Extortionists pose as hired contract killers, contacting their target to inform them that a third party has paid for their murder. They then offer to spare the victim’s life in exchange for paying off the value of the original contract, which typically ranges from $40,000 to $60,000. Once the victim pays that sum, the scammers double down, offering to kill the person who originally put the hit out – and demand a second, even larger payout for that service. Beyond these two high-profile schemes, the officer noted that a wide range of other extortion tactics are currently in use across the country.

    The senior official also added a key caveat for law enforcement: not every reported extortion claim is legitimate. In some cases, people who claim to be extortion victims are actually attempting to avoid repaying debts they owe to third parties, misleading police to escape their financial obligations.

    The arrests this week come amid persistent reports of traditional extortion still targeting small businesses across central Trinidad. Earlier this week, an Express reporter visited multiple popular vending hubs in the region, where several vendors privately admitted that criminals still regularly demand informal “protection taxes” to allow them to operate their stalls without harassment or violence. While many vendors reported no experience with such demands, a small but notable number confirmed they still face regular extortion threats.

  • Afreximbank, St Kitts And Nevis Sign Hosting Deal For ACTIF 2026 – News Agency Of Nigeria

    Afreximbank, St Kitts And Nevis Sign Hosting Deal For ACTIF 2026 – News Agency Of Nigeria

    In a landmark move to strengthen interregional economic collaboration, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has formalized a hosting agreement with the government of St Kitts and Nevis for the fifth iteration of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF 2026). The partnership was announced in an official statement released Tuesday by Vincent Musumba, Afreximbank’s Communications and Events Manager.

    Musumba emphasized that the new agreement reflects a mutual dedication to deepening long-standing ties between African and Caribbean nations, with a core focus on expanding bilateral trade and boosting shared economic development. Scheduled to run from July 29 to 31, 2026, the upcoming forum will be hosted at the St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort, Casino & Spa in Basseterre, the capital of St Kitts and Nevis.

    The 2026 forum is designed to deliver actionable outcomes for cross-regional cooperation, featuring a packed program of expert panel discussions on priority trade policy issues, targeted explorations of untapped investment opportunities, and collaborative sessions to launch new joint economic initiatives. It will convene a diverse cross-section of stakeholders, including senior government officials, institutional investors, private sector chief executives, development finance bodies, local entrepreneurs, and diaspora leaders, all working to map out sustainable growth trajectories amid widespread global economic volatility.

    George Elombi, President and Chairman of Afreximbank’s Board of Directors, framed the fifth ACTIF as a critical reunion for African and Caribbean communities bound by shared heritage. “At the fifth edition of ACTIF, we will once again reunite with our fellow Africans across the Atlantic,” Elombi said. “We will reflect on our shared development challenges and recommit to implementing strategic programmes that advance our collective aspiration for self-determination and self-reliance.” He added that ACTIF 2026 will prioritize identifying high-impact cross-regional projects and putting in place clear frameworks to ensure their successful delivery, laying the groundwork for inclusive shared economic growth.

    Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, welcomed the agreement as a transformative milestone for advancing Africa-Caribbean economic ties. “We are honoured to host the fifth edition of the ACTIF. This agreement signals our strong commitment to strengthening economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean,” Drew said. “We are not just a beautiful destination; we are a gateway for investment, a hub for enterprise, and a proud partner in the Renaissance of Africans.” Drew noted that the forum will act as a powerful catalyst for expanded trade and investment flows, generating new opportunities for businesses and households across both regions. “This forum will create lasting pathways that will benefit our citizens, our region, and the entire African continent for generations to come. We look forward to welcoming delegates from global Africa to St Kitts and Nevis,” he added.

    Since its launch, ACTIF has grown into a leading flagship platform for connecting African and Caribbean economies, designed to mobilize new capital, foster durable cross-sector partnerships, and accelerate progress toward deeper economic integration. During the 2025 forum, stakeholders secured five cross-border deals across three Caribbean nations, totaling $291.25 million in value. The deals spanned a range of high-priority areas, including trade and investment finance, corporate lending, project preparation support, and export development capacity building.

    Afreximbank has rapidly expanded its presence across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in recent years. Since opening its regional office in Barbados two years ago, the bank has approved more than $700 million in financing for projects across the bloc. The funding has supported a diverse portfolio of initiatives spanning climate adaptation, tourism infrastructure, general public works, small and medium enterprise development, and energy sector projects, delivering widespread benefits to local communities across the region.

    Additional information about ACTIF 2026, including registration details and program updates, is available on the forum’s official website at https://actif2026.afreximbankevents.com.

  • Dominican Republic to host Bike Kite Fest 2026 at Playa Buen Hombre

    Dominican Republic to host Bike Kite Fest 2026 at Playa Buen Hombre

    The Caribbean nation of the Dominican Republic is preparing to welcome international athletes and adventure travelers alike to a one-of-a-kind multi-disciplinary celebration when it hosts Bike Kite Fest 2026, a pioneering event that fuses elite sport, live entertainment, and local cultural traditions. Scheduled to run from May 30 through June 7 at the idyllic coastal stretch of Playa Buen Hombre, the festival is a collaborative project between local organizers Cibao Atlántico and Uveros Village, with a core strategic goal of elevating the destination’s profile to rank among the world’s premier kitesurfing hubs.

    The 10-day event will kick off with a challenging 100-kilometer cycling race that winds along scenic coastal routes before concluding at the festival’s beachfront base. Following the opening race, the festival’s centerpiece will be a high-stakes Big Air kitesurfing competition, overseen and officiated by officials from the Global Kitesports Association to ensure professional, international-level standards. The competitive field will feature a mix of global kitesurfing superstars, including decorated athletes Mikaili Sol and Lorenzo Casati, who will go head-to-head with top homegrown Dominican competitors. The stakes are high: the event offers cash prizes totaling up to $7,000, a reward that has already drawn significant attention from the global kitesurfing community and boosted the festival’s international draw.

    Beyond the high-profile competitive events, organizers have built a broad, inclusive experience that caters to competitors, spectators, and casual travelers alike. Attendees can enjoy daily live music performances, immersive beach activities, and dedicated camping space that can accommodate more than 2,000 festival-goers, complete with access to a wide range of local culinary offerings that showcase the Dominican Republic’s rich gastronomic traditions. The festival also prioritizes community engagement, integrating a full lineup of grassroots, locally focused activities including domino tournaments, open-play volleyball, and traditional recreational kite flying. This blend of elite sport and cultural celebration is designed not just to create an unforgettable experience for attendees, but also to drive long-term tourism growth, attract new investment, and spur inclusive economic development across the country’s northern coastal region.

  • Heavy rains leave 4 dead and over 30,000 displaced in Dominican Republic

    Heavy rains leave 4 dead and over 30,000 displaced in Dominican Republic

    Devastating flooding triggered by days of unrelenting heavy rainfall from a low-pressure trough has left at least four people dead and more than 30,500 residents displaced across the Dominican Republic, according to updated official government reports.

    Civil Defense teams have recovered the remains of two recent victims: a three-year-old boy swept away by raging flood-swollen rivers in the northern coastal province of Puerto Plata, and a 32-year-old man killed by flash flooding in the capital city of Santo Domingo. These two deaths follow two earlier fatalities recorded earlier in the disaster, including a one-year-old infant girl who died when a collapsing wall fell on her during intense storm activity.

    Beyond the human toll, the disaster has caused widespread disruption to critical infrastructure and daily life. Data from the country’s Emergency Operations Center shows more than 6,100 residential properties have suffered damage from flooding and landslides. Over 1 million residents across the island nation are currently cut off from safe drinking water, and 28 isolated communities remain completely disconnected from surrounding areas with no accessible transit routes.

    In response to the unfolding crisis, Dominican authorities have activated emergency alerts for 28 of the country’s 32 provinces, deploying search and rescue teams and emergency supply distributions to affected regions. Meteorological officials have issued a grim update, warning that additional rainfall is expected to continue over the coming hours, raising fears of further flash flooding and landslides. The capital city of Santo Domingo remains under a yellow-level weather alert, as local authorities brace for more severe weather conditions.

  • Peru: Fujimori leidt eerste ronde presidentsverkiezingen terwijl hertelling voortduurt

    Peru: Fujimori leidt eerste ronde presidentsverkiezingen terwijl hertelling voortduurt

    As Peru’s post-general election vote counting stretched into its third day on Tuesday, political tensions have surged across the Andean nation, sparking parliamentary investigations and unsubstantiated claims of widespread electoral fraud. With roughly 80% of ballots now counted, the identity of the candidate that will face conservative frontrunner Keiko Fujimori in the June 7 presidential runoff remains uncertain.

    Fujimori, a former congresswoman and daughter of late former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, currently holds a narrow lead in official vote tallies with 16.8% of the vote. No candidate has secured the 50% of support required for an outright first-round victory, meaning Fujimori – who is making her fourth bid for the country’s highest office – is all but guaranteed a spot in the second round of voting.

    A tight and shifting race for second place has unfolded behind the frontrunner, according to data from Peru’s National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE), the country’s independent electoral authority. Right-wing former Lima mayor Rafael Lopez Aliaga sits in second position with roughly 12% of the vote, just a single percentage point ahead of center-left candidate Jorge Nieto, who holds 11%. Left-wing congressman Roberto Sanchez trails closely in fourth place with just over 10% of counted ballots.

    As the slow counting process drags on, accusations of electoral fraud have grown louder from trailing candidates. Lopez Aliaga has already publicly decried what he calls “brutal fraud”, and he earned public backing from Sanchez on Tuesday, who also raised questions about the integrity of the voting process. Neither candidate has presented concrete evidence to support their fraud claims to date.

    Critics have drawn parallels between the current slow counting process and previous elections in the copper-rich South American nation, recalling that former president Pedro Castillo was not officially confirmed as the winner until eight days after the 2021 second round vote.

    European Union electoral observers, who monitored Sunday’s first round vote, have acknowledged significant logistical issues during the electoral process but found no concrete evidence to support the widespread fraud claims that have circulated since polling opened. “There have been clear problems,” said Annalisa Corrado, head of the EU’s electoral observation mission to Peru. “But we have not found objective elements that support the narrative of fraud.”

    The extended counting period follows major logistical disruptions to ballot distribution on polling day Sunday. The issues forced election officials to extend voting hours into Monday for more than 50,000 eligible voters, concentrated mostly in parts of Lima, the national capital that is home to roughly one-third of Peru’s total electorate.

    ONPE head Piero Corvetto was summoned before Peru’s parliament this week to explain the delays to the vote counting process. He denied that serious irregularities had taken place, framing the distribution issues as an isolated error in the rollout of electoral materials. Corvetto also issued a public apology for the disruptions to voting and counting.

    He emphasized that both the presidential and parliamentary elections presented unprecedented challenges for voters and electoral officials alike, particularly amid years of sustained political unrest that has eroded public trust in national institutions and left many voters disillusioned with the political class.

    Long-running political instability remains one of the most pressing issues facing Peru, regardless of the final election outcome. The country has seen multiple presidents turnover in recent years, creating widespread skepticism that any new administration will be able to complete a full five-year term. Repeat impeachments, high-profile corruption scandals, and fragile legislative coalitions have made it nearly impossible for recent administrations to serve out their full terms.

    The current interim president, José Balcázar, was appointed by parliament in February after legislators removed his predecessor José Dina from office. Dina had served only four months in office before being ousted over a scandal involving secret meetings with a Chinese business executive.

  • LETTER: Barbuda Youth Voter Calls for Shift Beyond Land Debate Ahead of Election

    LETTER: Barbuda Youth Voter Calls for Shift Beyond Land Debate Ahead of Election

    Ahead of upcoming elections in Barbuda, a young first-time voter who grew up in a family deeply engaged in land rights discussions has issued a public call for an end to the ongoing divisive debate over land policy that has dominated local political discourse. Raised in what she describes as an “all green” household, where land issues have been a central topic of conversation especially during election cycles, the voter says she has grown increasingly frustrated with the misinformation, public confusion, and constant political drama that have shrouded the land conversation for far too long.

    In her public message, the young voter pushes back against the singular focus on land that has defined much recent political rhetoric, arguing that land on its own cannot solve the many challenges facing the people of Barbuda. “Land alone cannot feed us, land alone cannot build a future, and land alone cannot secure the next generation,” she writes, challenging political actors and community members alike to broaden their policy priorities ahead of casting their ballots.

    Instead of continuing to cycle through the same unproductive debates that have failed to deliver meaningful progress for years, the voter urges her fellow Barbuda residents to wake up to the need for a broader, more future-focused approach to governance. She encourages the community to shift focus toward long-term priorities that will shape the quality of life for generations to come, including public health, sustainable development, and intergenerational progress.

    Rejecting the status quo that has kept the island trapped in repetitive, unproductive political patterns, the first-time voter stresses that continuing to accept the same cycle of division and unmet promises will not improve outcomes for any community member. She calls on all eligible voters to stop settling for incremental, ineffective change and to reject the political distractions that have pulled focus away from the issues that truly matter to daily life and long-term prosperity.

    Closing her message with a firm call to action, the voter emphasizes that the future of Barbuda hinges on delivering serious, bold political transformation that meets the evolving needs of the island’s people. “Enough is enough,” she declares, demanding an end to unproductive political drama and a new era of forward-thinking governance.

  • Scrub Life Cares Named 2026 Applied Practice Experience Site of the Year by Georgia State University School of Public Health

    Scrub Life Cares Named 2026 Applied Practice Experience Site of the Year by Georgia State University School of Public Health

    ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – April 15, 2026 – Public health non-profit Scrub Life Cares, an organization focused on expanding menstrual equity, advancing evidence-based reproductive and sexual health education, and designing community-centered public health solutions, has been named the 2026 Applied Practice Experience (APE) Site of the Year by Georgia State University’s School of Public Health.

    The award was officially conferred during the school’s annual Celebrating Student Excellence ceremony, an event that spotlights host organizations that deliver exceptional, hands-on learning opportunities that move beyond theoretical training to create tangible public health impact for public health graduate and undergraduate students.

    Today, Scrub Life Cares operates as a multifaceted public health entity that sits at the intersection of community outreach, public health education, original research, and policy-informed programming. Its core work spans five critical focus areas: addressing menstrual equity and ending period poverty, delivering comprehensive reproductive and sexual health education, supporting maternal and child health outcomes, designing and implementing community-led public health programs, conducting public health research and translating data into accessible public knowledge, developing policy briefs and supporting advocacy initiatives, and managing strategic public health communications.

    Through its APE internship placement program, Scrub Life Cares has enabled students to contribute to high-stakes research and advocacy work at both local and global levels, including key contributions to programming for the International Association for Adolescent Health World Congress. Key student contributions to date include supporting large-scale research projects examining menstrual health inequities and gaps in reproductive and sexual health education across Antigua and Barbuda, the broader Caribbean region, and the Southern United States. Students also played a central role in drafting policy briefs, creating advocacy resources, and translating research findings for public and stakeholder audiences to elevate underaddressed public health issues.

    Notably, the work of APE students informed a formal motion that was successfully passed at the World Congress, accelerating global dialogue and actionable policy around adolescent health and menstrual equity. When the conference shifted to fully virtual participation in response to Hurricane Melissa, APE interns stepped in to support logistics and session coordination, ensuring that the global knowledge exchange process continued without disruption.

    These hands-on opportunities underscore Scrub Life Cares’ core mission: not just training entry-level public health practitioners, but nurturing the next generation of researchers, policy advocates, and thought leaders who can drive systemic change. A defining strength of the organization’s model is its integrated research portfolio, which directly informs its programming, shapes policy debates, and guides global advocacy work. For students, this means placements do not just involve shadowing or administrative work – they get direct experience shaping conversations about health equity, access, and systemic transformation.

    For Scrub Life Cares Founder and CEO Tanya Ambrose, MPH, the award carries both personal and professional meaning, rooted in her own history with the university.

    “Signing the memorandum of understanding to partner with Georgia State University as an APE host site was a full-circle moment for me and our whole team,” Ambrose said in a statement following the ceremony. “Scrub Life Cares was actually founded when I was an undergraduate student at Georgia State, after a study abroad trip to Uganda opened my eyes to the deep, systemic global health inequities that shape outcomes for women and girls around the world.”

    Ambrose added: “Our APE students don’t just help run community programs – they contribute to cutting-edge research, draft policy frameworks, create advocacy tools, and shape global public health conversations. That’s the point of this work: we’re building professionals who understand that public health isn’t just textbook theory. It’s about centering people, building fair systems, leaning on evidence, and taking intentional action.”

    The honor comes as Scrub Life Cares marks five years of transformative public health work, and the organization is already leveraging this recognition to expand its APE placement model across the Caribbean region. Over the past half-decade, Scrub Life Cares has delivered evidence-based programs across Antigua and Barbuda, the Caribbean, and the United States; integrated rigorous research into every stage of program design, advocacy, and policy engagement; contributed to peer-reviewed public health research and global health dialogue; reached hundreds of women, girls, and families through direct education and free resource distribution; hosted its annual flagship Grow With the Flo Women & Girls Health Expo, which is now entering its fifth consecutive year; and built cross-sector partnerships with academia, healthcare systems, and local community organizations.

    Through this work, the organization has challenged long-held assumptions about grassroots public health nonprofits, proving that community-led groups can deliver both exceptional direct services and world-class research excellence. The 2026 APE Site of the Year award further cements Scrub Life Cares’ standing as a leading training ground for emerging public health leaders, a research-driven and policy-engaged contributor to local, regional, and global health discourse, and a trusted community partner focused on advancing sustainable, people-centered health outcomes. In a field that demands both innovative problem-solving and deep compassion for the communities served, Scrub Life Cares stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when education, research, policy, and community impact are intentionally aligned.

    ### About Scrub Life Cares
    Scrub Life Cares is a non-profit public health organization dedicated to advancing menstrual equity, expanding access to comprehensive reproductive and sexual health education, and improving access to life-saving essential health resources for women, girls, and families across Antigua and Barbuda, the Caribbean, and the United States. Through a combination of community education, policy advocacy, and original research, the organization works to advance health dignity, informed personal decision-making, and health equity for all.

  • Labour Department Reminds Employers to Grant Four Hours Paid Time Off to Vote

    Labour Department Reminds Employers to Grant Four Hours Paid Time Off to Vote

    As Antigua and Barbuda prepares for an upcoming electoral event, the Office of the Labour Commissioner has issued a formal public reminder to all employers across the nation regarding their legal obligations to support worker participation in the democratic process. Under the terms of Section 34 of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001, every business and organization must grant all registered voters on their payroll a guaranteed block of four consecutive hours off from work to cast their ballot on polling day. Critically, this time off must be provided with no reduction to an employee’s regular pay, and no financial penalties, disciplinary action, or other repercussions can be imposed on workers for taking this legally protected leave.

    The legislation also outlines clear penalties for employers that fail to comply with this mandate. Any employer that directly or intentionally refuses to grant the required voting time, or uses intimidation, undue influence, or any other underhanded tactic to interfere with an employee’s right to vote is considered guilty of a criminal offence. Following a summary conviction, non-compliant employers face a maximum fine of three thousand Eastern Caribbean dollars, or a custodial sentence of up to twelve months in prison.

    This reminder underscores the government’s commitment to protecting accessible voting for all citizens, removing workplace barriers that could prevent eligible voters from exercising their constitutional right to participate in elections. By codifying paid time off for voting into law, Antigua and Barbuda’s legislative framework aims to ensure that working residents do not have to choose between earning a paycheck and participating in the democratic process.

  • Abinader inaugurates ExpoSostenible 2026 in Santo Domingo

    Abinader inaugurates ExpoSostenible 2026 in Santo Domingo

    Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic — Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader has officially opened ExpoSostenible 2026, a landmark sustainability event that runs through April 16 at the iconic Hotel El Embajador in the nation’s capital. The multi-day gathering is designed to cement the Dominican Republic’s status as a leading center for sustainability action across the Latin American and Caribbean region. Organized by the Santo Domingo Economic and Social Development Council, the event brings together a diverse cross-section of stakeholders, including senior government representatives, private sector leaders, representatives from global international organizations, and civil society advocates, all united to tackle interconnected global challenges spanning economic inequality, climate change, and social inequity.

    In his keynote remarks at the opening ceremony, President Abinader underscored the urgent need to reorient national and regional development trajectories, arguing that robust economic expansion cannot come at the cost of environmental stewardship. He emphasized that the Dominican Republic has made a binding commitment to transitioning to a more resilient, inclusive, and forward-thinking sustainable development model that balances growth with the protection of natural resources for future generations. Over the course of the event, attendees will take part in a dynamic program of expert panels, keynote addresses from global sustainability leaders, and interactive dialogue sessions. The core goal of these sessions is to move beyond abstract discussion and co-develop concrete, actionable policy and business proposals, while strengthening cross-border collaboration on sustainability priorities.

    One of the most high-profile participants at the gathering is Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchú, who centered her remarks on the often-overlooked human core of global sustainability efforts. Menchú used her platform to call for systemic, inclusive policy reforms that center the needs of marginalized and vulnerable communities, which disproportionately bear the brunt of climate change despite contributing the least to global emissions. Beyond discussions, ExpoSostenible 2026 is designed to drive tangible on-the-ground action through a range of targeted initiatives, including the EcoHub innovation space, dedicated networking zones, and structured business matchmaking programs. These platforms work to foster cross-sector alliances, accelerate the development of innovative sustainability solutions, and unlock new sustainable investment opportunities across the region.