Dominican Republic advances climate agenda at UN General Assembly in New York
Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic presented an active climate and sustainability agenda during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, advocating for greater international financing for climate adaptation and stronger cooperation among vulnerable countries.
President Luis Abinader called for faster access to financing to help countries adapt to climate change. The Dominican delegation also joined the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF20) declaration, an alliance of 74 developing countries highly vulnerable to climate impacts and representing about 20% of the global population.
At the forum, Max Puig, executive vice president of the National Council for Climate Change and Carbon Market (CNCCMC), called for international financing mechanisms to consider climate vulnerability beyond per-capita income, arguing that current criteria can limit middle-income countries’ access to concessional funding.
Clean energy and sustainable mobility
Puig also highlighted the Dominican Republic’s commitment to renewable energy and sustainable mobility, particularly for island nations. During an energy transition panel in New York, he emphasized the potential of solar, wind, water, and tidal resources to strengthen energy independence while supporting economic development and environmental protection.
The CNCCMC also reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and efforts to reduce short-lived climate pollutants, including methane, while advancing sustainable refrigeration, transportation, and energy initiatives.
On sustainable transportation, Pamela Abreu, head of the CNCCMC’s Mitigation Department, participated in a panel organized by the FIA Foundation and SLOCAT. The Dominican Republic has assumed the co-presidency of the Declaration on Low Emission Transport, initially promoted by Chile at COP30.
Puig also stressed the need to integrate climate adaptation into development planning rather than treating it as a separate policy area.
Focus on rising sea levels
The Dominican delegation addressed the risks posed by rising sea levels, with Environment Vice Minister Ana Pimentel participating in a high-level UN plenary session on the issue.
Pimentel reiterated Abinader’s call for vulnerable countries to have access to sufficient resources to address climate impacts. During the session, the UN General Assembly adopted a Declaration on Sea Level Rise, promoted by the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), of which the Dominican Republic is a member.
The Dominican delegation also participated in activities during New York Climate Week, strengthening partnerships aimed at translating climate commitments into investments and concrete solutions.
According to the CNCCMC, these international efforts will support implementation of the country’s NDC 3.0 and preparations for upcoming milestones on the global climate agenda, including COP31.
