President Luis Abinader led the opening ceremony of ExpoSostenible 2026 this Wednesday, 15 April 2026, at the Hotel El Embajador in Santo Domingo. The event, scheduled to run through 16 April 2026, positions the Dominican Republic as a strategic regional focal point for sustainability and environmental stewardship.
During his opening remarks, Abinader highlighted the importance of implementing policies that integrate economic growth with environmental sustainability, underlining the role of the DR in the building of a more resilient and sustainable development model.
The event is happening at a time when the capital city of Santo Domingo is an example of what not to do. The city government in recent years has given priority to innumerable high-rises. Constructions did not take into consideration rain drainage, water supply, sewage supply, or parking, and city residents are suffering the consequences of the bad decisions.
Organized by the Economic and Social Development Council of Santo Domingo (CODESSD), the summit brings together a diverse coalition of public sector representatives, private enterprises, international organizations, and civil society actors. The primary objective is to articulate coordinated responses to the pressing economic, climatic, and social challenges currently defining the global context.
A notable highlight of the inauguration was the participation of 1992 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchu. Speaking at the opening event in the presence of President Abinader, Menchu affirmed that sustainable development cannot exist without dignity, inclusion, and social justice. During her keynote address, titled “Sustainable Development, Peace, and Culture: A Shared Agenda,” Menchu pointed out that current crises demand collective, sustained responses with a long-term vision.
Amidst a global landscape marked by economic, climatic, and social pressures, Expo Sostenible seeks to bridge efforts between the public and private sectors, international organizations, and civil society to generate concrete responses to these challenges.
The event features an extensive agenda of high-level panels and keynote speeches. These are complemented by spaces such as the EcoHub, business networking rounds, entrepreneur zones, and educational experiences aimed at producing tangible results. Topics on the agenda include the circular economy, water security, sustainable investment, urban transformation, food systems, and resilience—reflecting an integrated approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of modern challenges.
ExpoSostenible 2026 serves as a high-level platform for the exchange of ideas, featuring a rigorous schedule of panels and keynote speeches.
Furthermore, the event features educational experiences and practical demonstrations, providing participants with tangible innovations applicable across various productive sectors.
Event schedule: 15 April – 16 April 2026
Day 1: Wednesday, 15 April 2026
• 08:30: Inauguration Ceremony led by President Luis Abinader.
• Morning Keynote: “Sustainable Development, Peace, and Culture” by Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchú.
• Technical Sessions:
Conference by Wellington Arnaud (Director of INAPA).
o Panels on Water Security and Sustainable Investment.
o Discussions on Resilient Infrastructure and Sustainable Financial Systems.
• Evening Closing: Keynote by Eduardo Sanz Lovatón on the role of SMEs (Mipymes) in sustainability.
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Day 2: Thursday, 16 April 2026
• Morning Keynote: International perspective by former President of Ecuador, Jamil Mahuad.
• Thematic Panels: * Circular Economy and Sustainable Cities.
o Food Security and National Resilience.
• EcoHub Activities: Continuous workshops on STEM education, environmental restoration, and green financing.
• Closing Ceremony: Recognition of “Companies that Transform the Dominican Republic,” Best Stand Award, and a closing cocktail.
Read more in Spanish:
El Nuevo Diario
El Caribe
16 April 2026