The Dominican Republic has been officially designated as the host for the 41st Session of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), scheduled to take place from 7 to 9 October 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Relations announces. Santiago de los Caballeros, the second largest city and a key economic hub for the Cibao region. The selection was formalized during a meeting in Chile between Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez and ECLAC Secretary of the Commission Luis Fidel Yáñez in the name of ECLAC’s Executive Secretary, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs.
The 41st Session of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is its most important biennial meeting. The accord penned on Tuesday, 10 March at ECLAC’s central offices in Santiago, Chile details the commitments assumed by both parties for organizing this international gathering, in which authorities from ECLAC’s 46 Member States and 14 associate members will participate along with representatives of the United Nations system and of non-governmental organizations.
Foreign Minister Alvarez was in Chile to attend the inaugural ceremony of President Jose Antonio Kast. Minister Álvarez emphasized that selecting Santiago, known locally as the “Heart City” for its central location, aligns with the government’s strategy to decentralize investment and development. “Hosting this session in the north of the country reflects our vision of promoting growth opportunities across the entire national territory,” Álvarez stated, noting that Santiago serves as a vital economic and academic engine for the Cibao region.
Minister Álvarez was accompanied during the signing ceremony by the Dominican Ambassador to Chile, Juan Cohen.
The ECLAC high-level biennial summit will convene foreign ministers, government officials, and international experts to address the region’s most pressing economic, social, and environmental challenges.
At the event, countries will have the opportunity to debate about the region’s economic, social and environmental development, to review the activities carried out by the Commission during the prior two-year period, and to set the priorities for its programme of work for the next two years.
Regional leadership
The choice of the Dominican Republic underscores the international community’s confidence in the country’s commitment to multilateralism. The Dominican Republic currently holds one of the three vice-presidencies of ECLAC. Following the 2026 session, the DR is called to begin its term as chair of ECLAC through the Commission’s next session in 2028.
In a press release from ECLAC, its Executive Secretary, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, stated in reference to the accord: “We are very pleased that this agreement has been signed, marking a formal start to the entire preparatory process for the Commission’s 41st Session in the Dominican Republic. Traditionally, our Session is a time for strategic reflection, an opportunity for ECLAC to present its main analyses and top proposals for the region to countries. In an international context characterized by deep ruptures and reconfigurations, this gathering in Santiago de los Caballeros will be an exceptional opportunity to provide member states with tools for navigating the current situation, harnessing their assets in order to achieve development goals.”
Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic stressed that this agreement reflects the close and constructive relationship that his country has maintained with ECLAC historically, along with its commitment to multilateralism, regional dialogue and cooperation for Latin America and the Caribbean’s sustainable development.
“The Dominican Republic is currently serving as one of ECLAC’s Vice-Chairs and once this session is held, it will take over as Chair of the organization for the 2026-2028 period. We assume this responsibility with a deep sense of commitment and with the conviction that regional cooperation continues to be essential for tackling the challenges of our times. It will be an honor for our country to host this gathering and contribute to exchanging ideas regarding the economic, social and environmental challenges facing our region,” said Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez, who was accompanied by the Dominican Republic’s Ambassador to Chile, Juan Cohen Sander.
As one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations, ECLAC focuses on:
Promoting economic and social development within Latin America and the Caribbean.
Strengthening economic ties between member states and the rest of the world.
Setting strategic regional cooperation guidelines during its biennial sessions.
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Ministry of Foreign Relations
ECLAC
12 March 2026