Updated:October 30, 2025
President Luis Abinader consolidated the Dominican Republic as a benchmark in infrastructure and sustainable mobility by inaugurating theRegional Dialogue of Public Policies on Transportation 2025, an event that marked the country's first participation as a full member of the International Transport Forum (ITF) and brought together ministers, experts and leaders from all of Latin America and the Caribbean.
A Historical Milestone for the Country
The meeting, held under the motto"Transport as an engine of development for resilience and competitiveness", was organized jointly by the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the ITF, making Santo Domingo the epicenter of the debate on the future of mobility in a region with more than 662 million inhabitants.
During the inauguration, the president highlighted that the choice of the Dominican Republic as the headquarters represents recognition of the country's leadership in infrastructure, connectivity and sustainable economic development.
RD Enters the International Transport Forum
The incorporation of the Dominican Republic into the ITF in 2024 marks a strategic precedent for the country. This OECD organization has69 member countriesand constitutes the main global space to define the transportation agenda of the future.
"A step that reflects our determination to join the forums where the global development agenda is defined and to contribute our voice and experiences from the Caribbean to the world," said President Abinader.
Key Topics of the Regional Dialogue
The meeting program addressed the most urgent challenges of the transportation sector in the region:
- Sustainable financingof public mobility systems
- Transition towards electric mobilityand clean fuels
- Artificial intelligence and autonomous vehiclesin transportation
- Resilience to climate risksand extreme atmospheric events
- road safetyand reduction of traffic accidents
- Global supply chainsand logistics connectivity
Projections for 2050
Experts warned that by 2050, the region will double the demand for passenger and freight transportation, making it urgent to implement sustainable, efficient and technologically advanced solutions.
The Transformation of Dominican Transportation
The Minister of Public Works, Eduardo Estrella, highlighted that the Dominican Republic is experiencinggreatest mobility transformation in its history, with works that include:
Emblematic Projects in Execution
In Santo Domingo:
- Integration of Metro, Cable Car and Monorail
- Santo Domingo Oeste Cable Car (under construction)
- Tram along Winston Churchill and Independence avenues (in tender)
- New six-car trains for Metro Line 1
In Santiago de los Caballeros:
- Integrated Transportation System (SIT) operational
- Monorail with a capacity of 40,000 passengers per hour
- Network of formalized modern brokers
Strategic Infrastructure:
- Rehabilitation and expansion of the Port of Manzanillo
- Road infrastructure improvement program
- Bridge Climate Resilience Program
- Modernization of key airports
Impact on Air Connectivity
The modernization of land and sea transportation has a direct effect on the country's air connectivity. Dominican airports benefit from better land access, which facilitates passenger flow and improves the experience of international travelers.
Benefits for Travelers
- Better access to airportsthrough integrated transport systems
- Multimodal connectionsmore efficient (Metro-Cable Car-Bus)
- Reduction of transfer timesfrom urban areas to air terminals
- Greater road safetyon routes to airports
The Santo Domingo Integrated Plan includes the construction ofworld class equipment, such as a new marina and a cruise port in front of the historic Jaragua Hotel, which will boost tourism and the arrival of international visitors.
Commitment to Sustainability
President Abinader emphasized that each work represents "a commitment to a more competitive, more integrated, but also more sustainable and greener Dominican Republic."
The National Institute of Traffic and Land Transportation (INTRANT) has established thatElectric mobility is the future definition of public transportof passengers in the country, contemplated in the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (PMUS).
International Cooperation and Strategic Alliances
The IDB highlighted that the Dominican Republic has become a fundamental partner in territorial transformation, with projects that have benefitedmore than three million peopleand generated significant jobs.
Nathalie Alvarado, representative of the IDB, recognized the country asbenchmark in sustainable transportation transformationin the region, while Ana María Ibáñez, vice president of Sectors at the IDB, praised the Dominican commitment to an ambitious agenda in resilient infrastructure.
Regional Network of Transportation Authorities
As a result of the dialogue, the ministers of Latin America and the Caribbean agreed to create aregional network of sector authorities, co-chaired by the IDB and the ITF, to promote cooperation, innovation and sustainable transformation of transportation.
This initiative will allow:
- Share experiences and success stories
- Coordinate regional public policies
- Facilitate technology transfer
- Establish common quality standards
Transportation as a Pillar of Development
The president stressed that transportation "is not just a network of roads, trains, ports or airports, but the backbone of economic and social development, connecting the producer with the market, the worker with opportunity and the citizen with State services."
This comprehensive vision recognizes that improved transportation directly impacts:
- Economy:Reduction of logistics costs and greater competitiveness
- Tourism:Best experience for international visitors
- Employment:Generation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs
- Quality of life:Less time in transfers, greater security
- Environment:Reduction of emissions with electric transportation
Implications for Air Travel
For travelers using Dominican airports, these transformations mean:
From/To Las Américas Airport (SDQ):
- Direct connection with the Santo Domingo Metro
- Future integration with cable car system
- Improved access from metropolitan areas
From/To Punta Cana Airport (PUJ):
- Modernization of access roads
- Better connectivity with tourist areas
- Resilient infrastructure against climate events
From/To Cibao Airport (STI):
- Integration with the Santiago Transportation System
- Connection with the future Monorail
- Reduction of traffic congestion
Vision 2050: Sustainable Dominican Republic
The country is projected towards 2050 with a clear sustainable development agenda that integrates:
- Decarbonization of public transport
- Smart cities with connected mobility
- Resilient infrastructure in the face of climate change
- Fully integrated multimodal systems
- Regional leadership in transportation innovation
Plan your Next Trip to the Dominican Republic
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About this event
Event:Regional Dialogue of Public Policies on Transportation 2025Date:October 28-29, 2025Headquarters:Santo Domingo, Dominican RepublicOrganizers:MOPC, IDB, ITFParticipants:Ministers and authorities from more than 20 countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, North America, Europe and Asia
Sources
- Presidency of the Dominican Republic
- Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC)
- Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
- International Transport Forum (ITF-OECD)
Categories:Infrastructure, Transportation, Tourism, Sustainable Development, Dominican Republic
Note:Information on infrastructure projects is subject to official schedules. For updated details on works and transportation systems, consult the official sites of MOPC, INTRANT and OPRET.
