Dominican Republic leads region with first National Civic Space Strategy

Spain.- The Dominican Republic became the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to adopt a National Civic Space Strategy, positioning itself as a regional leader in open government. The initiative was presented during the IX Global Summit of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) by Dr. Milagros Ortiz Bosch, Director General of Ethics and Government Integrity, who emphasized that open government is a driving force for democratic innovation and institutional legitimacy.

The National Civic Space Strategy 2025–2028, a commitment made by President Luis Abinader during the 2023 OGP Summit in Estonia, seeks to strengthen collaboration between the State and citizens. It includes 21 reforms across five key areas, focusing on protecting freedoms of association, assembly, expression, and access to information, while fostering citizen participation and inclusive digital spaces.

During the event, OGP CEO Aidan Eyakuze commended the Dominican Republic’s leadership and invited it to co-lead the Civic Space Lab, a new global platform for advancing civic engagement policies. The Dominican delegation also signed the Vitoria-Gasteiz Declaration, reaffirming its commitment to democracy, transparency, and the protection of civic freedoms amid global challenges.