The below is attributable to Spokesperson Rebecca Chalif:
Administrator Samantha Power traveled to the Dominican Republic October 7-8, to participate in a High-Level Dialogue on Institutional Reform with Dominican President Luis Abinader. At the High-Level Dialogue, the Administrator announced $7.9 million in new USAID assistance to support the Dominican Republic’s ongoing reform efforts. During her two-day visit, Administrator Power also met with Dominican civil society leaders, government officials, business leaders, and youth in Santo Domingo.
On Thursday, October 7, Administrator Power met with local civil society leaders to discuss efforts to advance anti-corruption, transparency, and a range of human rights concerns in the Dominican Republic, particularly the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and Dominicans of Haitian descent. She then visited the Saint Martin de Porres School and held a roundtable with local youth who are benefiting from USAID programs and who are agents of positive change in their communities. Following the roundtable, Administrator Power joined participants in USAID’s At Risk Youth programs in a game of baseball.
Administrator Power then met with President Luis Abinader and Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez to discuss the Abinader Administration’s commitment to anti-corruption and civilian security reform, the progress that has been made since the initial High-Level Dialogue in April, and how the United States can best support this reform agenda.
Administrator Power and President Abinader opened the High-Level Dialogue on Institutional Reform in the Dominican Republic with a shared focus on issues central to the fight against corruption, including police reform, procurement reform, and asset forfeiture, and addressing trafficking in persons. Administrator Power announced that USAID would be making available $7.9 million of new assistance to support the reform of government oversight bodies, strengthen the transparency of the public procurement process and the energy sector, and advance the implementation of the Government’s new National Citizen Security Strategy.
The Administrator then met with business leaders and heard their perspectives on the Abinader Administration’s reform agenda and additional institutional changes needed to maximize private sector engagement and enhance economic prosperity in the Dominican Republic.
On Friday, October 8, Administrator Power sat down for an interview with the local TV show “Despierta RD” to discuss her visit, the High-Level Dialogue, and the importance of the U.S.-Dominican Republic partnership. She then visited the United States Embassy and held a town hall with staff to take their questions and thank them for their work and commitment to advancing our shared priorities in the Dominican Republic.
The Administrator’s trip demonstrates the United States’ long-standing commitment to the Dominican Republic and support for President Abinader’s reform agenda. President Biden has made the fight against corruption a top priority for his Administration, and this continued partnership with the Dominican Republic, as they work to enact a range of reforms, is part of that commitment. Both of our countries benefit when we work together to increase prosperity, improve security, and strengthen democracy.