President Luis Abinader used a high-profile dinner on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly to champion the nation as a model of economic growth and social progress. Abinader declared that the Dominican Republic is charting a course toward prosperity by fostering a unique partnership between the public and private sectors.
The event, co-hosted by the Council of Ibero-American Business Alliance (CEAPI) and the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom, brought together over 300 CEOs from across Latin America, Spain, and Portugal at the Harvard Club.
President Abinader’s speech highlighted what he called a “development model that blends macroeconomic stability, openness to investment, and a strong commitment to social progress.” He presented statistics to back up his claim. Since 2019, the national poverty rate has dropped significantly, from 25% to 16.6%, with a target of reaching 15% by the end of the year. Similarly, he noted that undernourishment has plummeted from 8.7% to 3.6%, with an ambitious goal of reaching “zero hunger” status by reducing it to 2.5%.
“These results are not coincidental,” Abinader emphasized. “They reflect a coordinated effort involving clear public policies, responsible private investment, and strong social engagement.”
Abinader directly challenged the notion that a country must choose between economic growth and social equity. “It’s not about choosing between strong businesses or strong states,” he said. “We need both working together to improve the lives of our people.”
He took advantage of the event to formally invite international leading business people to the upcoming 2025 Summit of the Americas in Punta Cana (1-5 December 2025), which he described as a crucial platform for revitalizing the region’s economic agenda.
The President painted a picture of the Dominican Republic positioning itself at the center of a new global economic map. He pointed to the nation’s strategic advantages amid global shifts in supply chains, energy transition, and digital transformation. He cited more than RD$800 billion in investments across key sectors like infrastructure, renewable energy, and tourism.
Tourism, in particular, was highlighted as a major success story, with a record 12 million annual visitors and the development of new tourism hubs in Pedernales and Miches. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is only second to Mexico in arrivals and departures.
Abinader spoke of the discovery of what he called Latin America’s largest known deposit of rare earth minerals, a find that could significantly boost the country’s strategic importance.
The President concluded his remarks by underscoring the vital role of confidence as a cornerstone of development. “Without confidence, there is no investment. Without investment, there is no employment or development,” he said, leaving the audience with a message of hope and visionary leadership.
Read more:
Presidency
DR1 News
25 September 2025