The Dominican Republic has been elected to chair the Trade and Development Board of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), a crucial intergovernmental body of the UN dedicated to boosting developing countries’ access to a more equitable and effective global economy.
The election marks a significant display of the Dominican Republic’s growing influence on the global stage, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX).
“The Trade and Development Board serves as UNCTAD’s governing body between its quadrennial major decision-making conferences. It is responsible for assessing current trade and development issues and formulating global policy responses, making this election another testament to the country’s leadership and commitment to multilateralism,” MIREX stated in a release.
The presidency will be represented by Dr. José R. Sánchez-Fung, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and UNCTAD in Geneva, Switzerland.
MIREX highlighted Ambassador Sánchez-Fung’s previous leadership roles, noting that the country also held the chairmanship of the WTO’s Committee on Trade and Development for a year, beginning in April 2023, through his representation.
This new role follows the Dominican Republic’s participation in the 16th Session of UNCTAD in October, where the “Geneva Consensus” was adopted. This consensus is set to guide the organization’s work priorities for the next four years.
UNCTAD is an intergovernmental organization established by the UN General Assembly in 1964. With 195 member states, it provides assistance on economic integration by offering analysis, facilitating consensus-building, and providing technical assistance. Its core mission is to utilize trade, investment, finance, and technology as vehicles for inclusive and sustainable development worldwide.
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Ministry of Foreign Relations
3 December 2025