Economy Minister Pável Isa Contreras praised the contributions of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as a tool for supporting countries in formulating effective policies and promoting well-being and development in a broad sense. He spoke on the occasion of the UNDP celebrating its 50th anniversary.
In the case of the Dominican Republic, Isa Contreras highlighted the UNDP’s contribution to the field of education. He noted that their support was crucial in the education reform that began in the early 1990s.
Isa Contreras specifically mentioned the Ten-Year Education Plan of that time, which he said changed the paradigms of education in the country.
“Subsequently, the United Nations Development Programme managed to promote the well-known national human development reports that complemented the global reports with a specific focus on the country,” said Minister Isa Contreras.
In this regard, Isa Contreras recalled that “two reports were produced, in which I had the opportunity and the honor of contributing.” He added that the first report was in 2005, focusing on the international integration of the Dominican economy, and then a second one that focused on the territorial issue.
Isa Contreras was responsible for the economics section in the 2005 UNDP Human Development report, a report that marked a before and after for many sectors, including the tourism industry. The tourism industry section called to improve conditions for the population arguing the spillover would make the destinations more attractive for tourism experiences.
A UNDP press release says that the commemoration of the UNDP’s 50th anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the organization’s significant contributions to promoting sustainable development around the world. The UNDP’s work in the Dominican Republic, particularly in the area of education, serves as a testament to its commitment to empowering countries and their people to achieve their full potential.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) marked its 50th anniversary of working in the Dominican Republic, highlighting its unwavering support for the country’s transformation towards multidimensional human development, a UNDP press release highlights.
The UNDP, as we know it now, was established in 1965 by the General Assembly of the United Nations. As the United Nations’ lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality.
Over the past five decades, the UNDP has played a pivotal role in driving essential reforms, crafting public policies, and strengthening institutions with an innovative approach, always centered on the well-being of people and the planet. Since 1990, it has published over 28 global Human Development Reports (HDRs) and five national reports, along with hundreds of analytical documents that have redefined the concept of development, promoting a more holistic and human-centered approach.
In a press release, the UNDP explains several recent highlights of its work in the Dominican Republic.
In the 1990s, the UNDP supported the country in seven key reforms, including the Labor Reform and the Financial Reform. During times of crisis, such as the 2003 banking collapse, the agency helped prevent nearly 2 million households from falling below the poverty line, creating the country’s first poverty map and designing an impact mitigation program that benefited 801,000 people.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the UNDP implemented the Social and Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA) methodology to support evidence-based decision-making. This enabled the government to expand social programs, preventing 752,395 Dominicans from falling into poverty. Additionally, the UNDP collaborated on livelihood recovery, especially for MSMEs, and strengthened the resilience of health and education systems.
The UNDP’s expresses its commitment to the Dominican Republic and says it is dedicated to supporting the Dominican Republic’s journey towards sustainable and inclusive development.
The agency seeks to be hired as a consultant to the ongoing process of tax reform in the Dominican Republic.
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UNDP Dominican Republic
13 June 2024