Dominican Republic reaffirms leadership in aviation safety and connectivity at NACC/DCA/13

Santo Domingo.- At the opening of the 13th Meeting of Civil Aviation Directors for North America, Central America and the Caribbean (NACC/DCA/13) on August 4, Dominican Republic Minister of the Presidency José Ignacio Paliza highlighted his country’s leadership in aviation safety, connectivity and operational efficiency across the Caribbean region.

“Dominican Republic conducts nearly 200,000 flight operations each year,” Paliza reported. “Roughly 98 percent of the more than 22 million passengers arriving annually come by air, over half of them visitors. These operations generate more than US$356 million in direct and indirect economic impact, without counting additional tourism revenues reported by the Central Bank.”

Hosted by the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC) through August 7, the NACC/DCA/13 convenes over 100 delegates from 25 member states and territories, including civil aviation ministers, directors general, ICAO Council representatives and key international organizations. Paliza expressed gratitude to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for entrusting the Dominican Republic and IDAC with this high-level technical and diplomatic forum.

ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar praised the Dominican Republic’s strong partnership with the organization. “I’d like to emphasize the importance of reviewing ICAO’s Long-Term Strategic Plan for 2026–2050,” Salazar said. “This roadmap will guide us through the dynamic shifts transforming aviation. We must all commit to zero fatalities and net zero carbon emissions, even as air traffic is projected to rise nearly 300 percent over the next 25 years.”

Throughout the four-day meeting, participants will examine strategies for more effective implementation of aviation security (AVSEC), facilitation (FAL), and operational safety measures. Key Dominican hosts include IDAC Director General Igor Rodríguez Durán and Deputy Director Paola Aimée Plá Puello. Other notable attendees are Michael Gill, ICAO’s Legal Affairs Director; Christopher Barks, NACC Regional Director; and Fabio Rabbani, SAM Regional Director, along with government and industry leaders from across the region.