Dominican Republic reports poverty reduction and record exports
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President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic told the United Nations General Assembly that his country lowered monetary poverty from 25.8% in 2019 to 14.6% in the first half of 2026.
He also stated the Dominican Republic met its Zero Hunger goal ahead of the 2028 target, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will formally recognize this achievement on October 10 in Rome.
Abinader connected the country’s economic improvements to increased foreign direct investment, which exceeded US$4 billion annually for four years and surpassed US$5 billion in 2025, and record exports that reached nearly US$16 billion. He also noted tourism increased from 7.5 million visitors in 2019, with projections to exceed 12 million in 2026.
Beyond economic data, Abinader urged the international community to develop ways to measure development that go beyond GDP, proposing the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index be considered when allocating concessional financing. He emphasized that the Dominican Republic, like other small island nations, experiences daily challenges due to climate change and rising sea levels, including issues with sargassum seaweed impacting coasts and tourism. Abinader concluded by advocating for international cooperation to address conflicts and global challenges, urging de-escalation and diplomatic solutions to disputes.
He believes swift action is needed because of the rapid pace of technological, economic, and environmental changes.
