Abinader calls for water and sanitation to become a regional priority
Punta Cana.- President Luis Abinader called on Latin American and Caribbean countries to make water and sanitation infrastructure a top development priority, warning that sanitation can no longer be treated as a secondary issue due to its direct impact on public health, environmental sustainability, economic growth, and climate resilience.
Speaking at Latinosan 2026 in Punta Cana, Abinader stressed that access to clean water and adequate sanitation is essential for reducing inequality, protecting natural resources, strengthening tourism, and improving quality of life. He emphasized that sustainable development cannot be achieved without universal access to quality water and sanitation services.
The president highlighted the Dominican Republic’s ongoing investments in water and wastewater infrastructure, including the Verón-Punta Cana Water and Sewerage Project, which is expected to benefit more than one million people. The initiative forms part of the Universal Sanitation Program for Coastal and Tourist Cities, designed to protect water resources, support sustainable tourism, and ensure orderly urban growth in one of the country’s most important economic regions.
Abinader also noted that the Dominican Republic is undergoing a historic transformation in the water sector through record investments, institutional strengthening, and long-term planning. During the conference, Wellington Arnaud reported that the government is implementing one of the most ambitious water and sanitation investment portfolios in Latin America and the Caribbean, including projects developed with the Inter-American Development Bank worth nearly US$1 billion.
Officials said the investments will improve access to drinking water, expand wastewater treatment capacity, protect more than 200 kilometers of coastline, and benefit over one million residents. The conference also highlighted the Dominican Republic’s growing leadership in water management, sanitation, and sustainable development, positioning the country as a regional model for improving public health and environmental protection through infrastructure investment.
