AGP Executive Report

Regional Energy: CARICOM is urging investment in renewables, energy storage and hurricane-ready power grids to cut fuel dependence and strengthen resilience. Rural Water: A university-community partnership has improved clean-water access for 860 families in El Cercado over six years, with a goal of reaching all 57 communities. Climate and Farming: Fairtrade warns that forecast drought and warmer conditions in the Dominican Republic could hit banana growers as a strong El Niño develops; during the previous cycle, productivity fell 13%. Marine Protection: A debate over deep-sea mining highlights the stakes for Dominican reefs, mangroves, seagrass and fisheries, while limited research leaves important gaps in knowledge of deep-water ecosystems. Flooding and Waste: Santo Domingo faces major drainage deficits after November became the city’s wettest month, while the Environment Ministry has cleaned up El Cayo Beach following illegal dumping. Mining Accountability: Communities near Pueblo Viejo are calling for stronger oversight and safe relocation, alleging pollution and harm to health and crops.

Deep-Sea Mining: Dominican marine ecosystems support biodiversity, fishing, tourism and coastal protection, but research on deep-sea life remains limited as mining enters the global debate. Flood Risk: November has overtaken May as Santo Domingo’s wettest month, exposing major drainage gaps; flood warnings were lifted but could return. Climate Readiness: President Luis Abinader urged stronger regional early-warning systems and disaster response, warning that storms can undo years of progress. Farm Impacts: Banana growers face drought risk amid a forecast strong El Niño; yields among Fairtrade farmers in the Dominican Republic fell 13% during the previous cycle. Pollution: The Environment Ministry cleaned El Cayo Beach after illegal dumping, while residents and visitors are being urged to stop littering roadsides. Sargassum and Resources: The EIB and ADOPEM announced €15 million for entrepreneurs and sargassum solutions; authorities are also seeking tighter rules as larimar reserves face depletion.

Deep-Sea Ecosystems: A new look at the Dominican Republic’s deep-sea mining debate highlights the stakes for marine life, fisheries and coastal protection—and how little ecological research exists in the country’s deep waters. Climate and Farming: Banana growers face another climate threat: forecasts point to drier, warmer conditions in the Dominican Republic, where productivity fell 13% during the previous El Niño cycle. Disaster Readiness: President Luis Abinader is urging stronger regional early-warning systems, warning that hurricanes and extreme weather can erase years of progress. Flood Risk: November has overtaken May as Santo Domingo’s wettest month, while major drainage gaps leave the capital vulnerable to flooding. Mining Impacts: Dominican communities near the Pueblo Viejo gold mine are seeking greater accountability and the safe relocation of 450 families; activists allege pollution is harming health and crops. Coastal Cleanup: Environment officials cleared illegally dumped construction debris from El Cayo beach in Barahona and warned that violators could face enforcement.

Farmers and El Niño: Latin American banana growers are seeking better pay as extreme weather threatens harvests. Dominican producers face forecasts of warmer, drier conditions; during the previous El Niño, productivity fell 13%. Disaster Readiness: President Luis Abinader urged Ibero-American countries to strengthen early-warning systems and share resources, citing the Dominican Republic’s exposure to hurricanes and other extreme weather. Sargassum Solutions: A €15 million EIB-ADOPEM financing package includes €4.5 million for businesses that collect and process sargassum, turning a coastal hazard into potential products and jobs. Coastal Protection: Environment officials cleared construction debris and other waste from El Cayo beach in Barahona and warned that illegal dumping could bring penalties. Water and Flood Risk: November has overtaken May as Santo Domingo’s wettest month, while major drainage deficits leave the capital vulnerable to flooding. Mining Oversight: Communities near the Pueblo Viejo gold mine are seeking stronger accountability and safe relocation for 450 families, alleging pollution and harm to health and crops. Larimar Conservation: Officials are seeking tighter rules for mining the non-renewable blue stone, as rising exports fuel concerns about depleting reserves.

Climate Preparedness: President Luis Abinader urged Ibero-American countries to strengthen early-warning systems and share disaster-response resources, warning that extreme weather can erase years of progress. Climate Finance: Latin American countries are seeking major funding at COP31 even as fossil-fuel dependence persists; the regional goal is $1.3 trillion by 2035. Coastal Protection: The Environment Ministry cleared construction debris from El Cayo beach in Barahona and warned that illegal dumping will face enforcement. Sargassum Solutions: A €15 million EIB-ADOPEM financing package includes €4.5 million for businesses that collect and process sargassum. Natural Resources: Authorities are seeking tighter controls on larimar extraction in Barahona, where exports surged and reserves face depletion concerns. Community Impacts: Dominican activists are pressing for accountability over alleged pollution and health harms around the Pueblo Viejo mine, including relocation for 450 families. Climate Pressures: Fairtrade says the 2023–24 weather phenomenon cut Dominican banana productivity by 13%, with another strong El Niño expected to add strain. Recent reports also flag Santo Domingo’s drainage deficits amid a wet November and possible worsening drought across the Caribbean.

Disaster Preparedness: President Luis Abinader called for stronger regional early-warning systems and disaster response, warning that hurricanes and extreme weather can erase years of progress in the Dominican Republic. Sargassum Solutions: A €15 million EIB-ADOPEM financing package will support small businesses, including ventures that collect and process sargassum into products such as fertilizer and biomass. Mining Concerns: Dominican activists are seeking accountability over alleged pollution and health impacts around the Pueblo Viejo mine, and safe relocation for 450 families. Coastal Protection: Environment Ministry crews cleared illegally dumped rubble and construction waste from El Cayo beach in Barahona and warned that offenders could face enforcement. Water and Rainfall: Santo Domingo’s November rainfall has exposed major drainage shortfalls, while recent flood alerts underline the city’s vulnerability to heavy rain. Climate Pressures: Fairtrade says the 2023–24 weather event cut Dominican banana productivity by 13%; it warns a forecast Super El Niño could add pressure on growers already facing rising costs and climate risks. Natural Resources: Authorities are seeking tighter controls on larimar extraction in Barahona, as exports have surged and officials warn the non-renewable resource could be depleted.

Climate Finance: Latin America heads to COP31 seeking $1.3 trillion by 2035 for climate action, even as oil and gas dependence persists. Farming: Fairtrade says climate shocks and unfair trading practices threaten banana growers; Dominican productivity fell 13% during the 2023–24 weather event, with a possible strong El Niño adding pressure. Disaster Readiness: President Luis Abinader urged Ibero-American countries to share resources and strengthen early-warning systems, warning that hurricanes can erase years of progress. Sargassum Solutions: The EIB and ADOPEM unveiled €4.5 million in financing for businesses that collect and process the seaweed, which burdens Caribbean coasts. Mining Accountability: Dominican communities near the Pueblo Viejo gold mine are seeking stronger oversight and safe relocation for 450 families, citing alleged pollution and health impacts. Natural Resources: Authorities are considering tighter larimar rules as exports rise and concerns grow over depletion. Coastal Cleanup: Environment Ministry crews cleared construction debris from El Cayo beach in Barahona and warned that illegal dumping will face enforcement.

Mining Accountability: Dominican activists are pressing for action over alleged pollution and health impacts around the Pueblo Viejo gold mine, seeking safer relocation for 450 families and stronger oversight of operator Barrick Mining. Coastal Protection: Environment officials cleared construction debris and other waste from El Cayo beach in Barahona and warned that illegal dumping could bring penalties. Sargassum Solutions: EIB and ADOPEM financing includes €4.5 million for businesses to collect and process sargassum, turning a coastal hazard into potential products such as fertilizer and biomass. Resource Conservation: Authorities are considering stronger rules for larimar extraction as exports surged to 177,540 pounds in the first half of 2025, exceeding the full-year 2024 total. Flood Risk: November has overtaken May as Santo Domingo’s wettest month, while major drainage deficits leave the capital vulnerable to heavy rain.

Coastal Cleanup: Environment officials cleared construction debris and illegally dumped waste from El Cayo Beach in Barahona, warning that those responsible may face penalties. Sustainable Tourism: Punta Cana’s new El Nido cultural center is billed as a sustainability landmark, aiming to connect residents and visitors with the region’s history and natural heritage. Sargassum Solutions: A €15 million EIB–ADOPEM financing package includes €4.5 million for businesses that collect and process sargassum, turning the coastal nuisance into products such as fertilizer and biomass. Resource Protection: Authorities are seeking tighter rules for larimar mining in Barahona as exports surge and concerns grow that the non-renewable stone’s reserves could be depleted. Flood Risk: November has become the country’s wettest month, while chronic drainage problems leave Greater Santo Domingo vulnerable to intense downpours and flash flooding. Hotel Standards: Hodelpa’s nine hotels earned sustainability certification after assessments of energy and water use, emissions, waste and labor practices.

Sargassum Solutions: A €15 million EIB–ADOPEM financing package includes €4.5 million for Dominican businesses to collect and process sargassum into products such as fertilizer, cosmetics and biomass. Water and Ecotourism: Monseñor Nouel’s Ecotourism and Production Fair opens Nov. 5, alongside the province’s first Water Fair, featuring environmental workshops and water-resource initiatives. Hotel Sustainability: Hodelpa’s nine hotels earned Bioscore certification after assessments of water and energy use, emissions, waste and social practices. Flood Risk: November has become the Dominican Republic’s wettest month, averaging 186.3 millimeters from 2020 to 2025. Intense downpours and drainage shortfalls leave Greater Santo Domingo exposed to flash flooding. Clean Energy: Acciona Energía plans to build three energy storage systems in the country. Wildlife Protection: Aerodom and Eco-Bahía extended their sea turtle conservation partnership through 2030.

Ecotourism: Monseñor Nouel’s Ecotourism and Production Fair runs November 5–15, with a new Water Fair and workshops on conservation and sustainable development. Hotel Sustainability: Hodelpa says all nine of its hotels earned Bioscore certification after reviews of energy and water use, emissions and waste management. Flood Risk: November has become the country’s wettest month, averaging 186.3 mm of rain from 2020–25. Forecasters see a 40% chance of above-normal rainfall through January, while Greater Santo Domingo’s drainage gaps leave the capital vulnerable to flash floods. Sea Turtles: Aerodom and Eco-Bahía extended their nesting-protection partnership through 2030. In 2026, patrols protected 26 nests and helped 843 hatchlings reach the sea; nest poaching fell to 7.7%. Renewable Energy: Acciona Energía plans battery systems totaling 21.2 MW, intended to stabilize the grid and help integrate more renewable power. Urban Nature: A report highlights a dramatic tree deficit in Santo Domingo, 80 years after the San Zenón cyclone.

Extreme Rain: November has overtaken May as the Dominican Republic’s wettest month, averaging 186.3 mm of rain from 2020 to 2025. Above-normal rainfall is possible through January, raising flood risks in Greater Santo Domingo, where drainage gaps leave a third of the population exposed. Clean Energy: Acciona Energía plans 21.2 MW of battery storage alongside its solar plants, helping stabilize the grid and accommodate more renewable power. Sea Turtle Protection: Aerodom and Eco-Bahía extended their conservation partnership through 2030. In 2026, patrols protected 26 nests and helped 843 hatchlings reach the sea; the reported nest-poaching rate fell to 7.7%. Regional Outlook: Caribbean forecasters warn that a strong El Niño could intensify drought, while flood and flash-flood hazards remain across much of the region.

Sea Turtle Protection: Aerodom and Eco-Bahía extended their conservation partnership through 2030, protecting nesting beaches on the country’s northeast coast. In 2026, 26 nests were protected and 843 hatchlings reached the sea; nest poaching fell to 7.7%. Renewable Energy: Acciona Energía plans three battery systems alongside existing solar plants, adding 21.2 megawatts of power and 41.7 megawatt-hours of storage to help stabilize the national grid and integrate more renewables. Weather Outlook: Indomet says the frontal season brings more frequent rain and cooler temperatures through mid-April. Recent alerts have been lifted, but showers and renewed flood risks are possible this week. Urban Heat and Flooding: Santo Domingo has just 15.4% tree cover, while buildings, asphalt and concrete cover more than 60% of the ground, worsening heat and flooding, researchers found. Drought Risk: Caribbean forecasters warn a strong El Niño could intensify drought across the region, including parts of the Antilles, while flood and flash-flood hazards may persist elsewhere.

Rain Watch: Indomet lifted alerts in seven provinces as conditions eased, but a trough could still bring intense afternoon showers. A new system may renew rain from Wednesday, so residents near rivers and low-lying areas should stay alert. Drought Risk: CariCOF warns a strong El Niño could expand or intensify drought across the Caribbean, even as flood and flash-flood risks remain in parts of the region. Tourism and Nature: Grupo Puntacana says its foundation produced 303,000 corals for reef restoration, processed 65 tons of organic waste and led 900 environmental education visits over the past year. Urban Canopy: Santo Domingo has just 15.4% tree cover, while more than 60% of the capital’s land is covered by buildings, asphalt and concrete—conditions linked to higher temperatures and flooding.

Climate Outlook: CariCOF warns a strong El Niño could worsen or spread drought across the Caribbean from November to January. It also flags flood hazards and possible coral bleaching around the Greater Antilles. Urban Canopy: Santo Domingo has just 15.4% tree cover, while more than 60% of the National District is paved or built over, a study finds. Researchers link the loss of greenery to higher temperatures and flooding. Punta Cana Conservation: Grupo Puntacana says it produced 303,000 corals for reef restoration, processed 65 tonnes of organic waste and carried out 900 environmental education visits over the past year. Flood Preparedness: Recent heavy rains flooded Greater Santo Domingo and other provinces, prompting alerts and class suspensions. Santo Domingo Este council member Juliana O’Neal has called for a flood-control plan.

Urban Canopy: Santo Domingo has just 15.4% tree cover, while more than 60% of the capital is paved or built over—contributing to rising heat and flooding, researchers say. Flood and Health Risks: Heavy rain flooded Greater Santo Domingo and other provinces, prompting alerts, class suspensions and emergency measures. Health officials warned of leptospirosis and diarrheal disease, as calls grew for a flood-control plan. Mining Impacts: Communities near Barrick’s Pueblo Viejo mine report water and air pollution and fear a planned expansion and new waste facility could worsen harm; residents are seeking safe relocation for 450 families. Food Systems: A RD$4.2 billion Dominican-Japanese project will support more than 30 crops and livestock products, with financing for storage, processing and distribution to reduce post-harvest losses. Marine Resources: The Dominican Republic joined regional talks on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, including proposals for stronger coordination among Caribbean and Central American countries.