标签： Dominican Republic

The Dominican government has released its comprehensive report titled ‘Government Management Achievements August 2020 – August 2025,’ detailing significant advancements across multiple sectors. Presented by journalist Félix Reyna, Director of Government Strategy and Communication (Diecom), during a press conference at the National Palace in Santo Domingo, the report highlights progress in health, security, education, housing, and the economy.

Key health indicators show remarkable improvements: life expectancy at birth increased from 73.5 years in 2016 to 75.1 years in 2024, while infant mortality rates dropped by 30.8%. Social security coverage more than doubled, ensuring greater protection for citizens. In the realm of security, the homicide rate fell to 8.3 per 100,000 inhabitants, and femicides decreased to 1.16, attributed to the Comprehensive Citizen Security Strategy, enhanced police recruitment, and operations like ‘Guarantee of Peace.’

Housing initiatives saw the construction of over 15,000 new homes and improvements to nearly 52,000 existing ones, with more than 532,000 individuals receiving property titles, bolstering legal and economic security. Economically, nearly 900,000 people emerged from poverty, GDP per capita grew by over 34% since 2019, and foreign direct investment exceeded US$4.5 billion. Record-breaking exports in agriculture and manufacturing further underscored economic resilience.

Education coverage expanded to over 4.5 million children and youth, with innovative programs in robotics, advanced English, and technical training. Renewable energy capacity tripled to 1,994 MW, while advancements in water access, electrification, and housing enhanced climate resilience. Transparency measures also contributed to a 22.3% increase in the government effectiveness index.

Looking forward, the administration has set ambitious goals for 2028, including raising life expectancy to 77 years, maintaining homicide rates below 8 per 100,000 inhabitants, expanding educational coverage, and ensuring the middle class represents 50% of the population. Additionally, the government aims to increase households with low climate vulnerability to 75%, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development, resilience, and social equity.

During the inauguration of the 20th American Regional Meeting of the International Labor Organization (ILO) in Punta Cana, President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic delivered a compelling address on the critical role of dignified and fair work in fostering shared prosperity. He asserted that economic growth must be channeled into creating better job opportunities, enhancing social mobility, expanding the middle class, reducing poverty, and broadening access to opportunities for all citizens. Abinader framed work as a cornerstone of ‘identity, dignity, and freedom,’ emphasizing that genuine development in Latin America and the Caribbean should be evaluated not solely through economic metrics but also through the lens of workers’ rights and quality of life. He highlighted a pressing issue in the region: nearly half of its 300 million-strong labor force operates informally, lacking social security or essential protections. Additionally, the president showcased the Dominican Republic’s strides in embedding employment as a central pillar of its public policies. He noted that the nation is spearheading economic growth in the region, surpassing the Latin American and Caribbean average growth rate of 1.9%, as projected by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

In a significant move to bolster environmental conservation, President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic has unveiled a comprehensive land titling initiative targeting Los Haitises National Park and the Loma Novillero Forest Reserve in Villa Altagracia. This ambitious project encompasses over 43 million square meters, with 35.2 million square meters allocated to Los Haitises and 7.9 million to Loma Novillero. The initiative aims to formalize land ownership under the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, aligning with the National System of Protected Areas (Sinap). Previously, these lands were fragmented among various public institutions, including the Dominican Agrarian Institute, the Directorate of National Assets, and the CEA, which impeded effective conservation efforts. President Abinader underscored the critical role of protecting shared natural resources, describing it as a ‘sacred duty’ for both citizens and the government. This effort is part of a broader national strategy to document and legally safeguard protected areas, organized on a regional basis. The government has already successfully titled more than 730 million square meters in other key areas, including Jaragua National Park, Bahía de Las Águilas, and José del Carmen Ramírez National Park.

The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) has strongly criticized the Dominican Republic’s decision to exclude Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela from the 10th Summit of the Americas, scheduled for December 4-5 in Punta Cana. In a statement shared on social media, ALBA accused the Dominican government of yielding to Washington’s influence, labeling the move as a “political capitulation” that compromises the host nation’s sovereignty. The alliance further dismissed the summit as a “sterile moment” dominated by imperialist agendas. The Dominican Foreign Ministry defended its decision, asserting that the exclusion was based on “strictly multilateral criteria” and aimed at ensuring broad participation. The ministry also highlighted its stance on Venezuela, citing the lack of recognition for the 2018 and 2024 presidential elections and the suspension of diplomatic ties following the contested July vote. Despite the exclusion, the Dominican Republic emphasized that its bilateral relations with the three nations remain distinct.

Santo Domingo – Dominican President Luis Abinader has reached out to global leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, to garner support for the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti. The mission, recently sanctioned by the UN Security Council, aims to address the escalating crisis in Haiti, which Abinader warns is increasingly threatening regional stability and Dominican national security. In his correspondence with Putin, Abinader highlighted the necessity of Russia’s involvement to bolster the mission’s capabilities and mandates in dismantling criminal networks. Similarly, in his letter to Xi, he underscored the critical role of China’s support in advancing the initiative. The MSS, introduced by the United States and Panama, was approved on Tuesday with 12 votes in favor and three abstentions. The mission seeks to empower Haitian authorities to confront armed gangs, restore public order, and lay the groundwork for sustainable peace and democratic governance. Abinader emphasized that the resolution is vital to mitigating the cross-border spillover of Haiti’s crisis, which poses a direct threat to the Dominican Republic and the broader region.