AGP Executive Report

Weather & Alerts: The COE put Santo Domingo province, the National District, and Monte Plata under green alert for rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds, urging people to avoid rivers and ravines and skip swimming until conditions improve. Climate Monitoring: Emidom and INDOMET signed an agreement to install three automatic weather stations in Pedernales to strengthen early warnings and share data for water-resource studies and national meteorological records. Heat & Dust Outlook: Indomet warned that Saharan dust will bring hot, sunny conditions with limited rainfall, though scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible in parts of the country. Forests & Food Security: A new FAO report says forests and trees are key to nutrition and hunger reduction, urging countries to better include them in agrifood policies. Sargassum Solutions: A Grenada delegation trained in Punta Cana on sargassum containment and collection systems, aiming to reduce health and environmental impacts on coastal communities. Biodiversity Protection: An agronomist urged Dominican authorities to step up conservation and protected-area efforts, warning that deforestation, soil loss, and rising greenhouse gases threaten water, agriculture, and ecosystems. Regional Policy Push: PARLATINO meetings in Santo Domingo focused on climate action, the regional sargassum crisis, and food security, with calls for coordinated Caribbean responses. Earthquakes Watch: USGS reported multiple quakes across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, including events near Punta Cana, with no tsunami threat.

Saharan Dust & Heat Watch: Indomet warns the Dominican Republic will bake under severe-to-extreme heat this weekend, with Saharan dust limiting rainfall and scattered showers possible in parts of the east and Greater Santo Domingo. Regional Climate & Biodiversity Alarm: Agronomist Gabriel Valdez Sierra urges Dominican authorities to protect natural resources and biodiversity, warning that deforestation, soil loss, and rising greenhouse gases threaten food, water, and protected areas. Sargassum Solutions in Punta Cana: A Grenadian delegation trained in Punta Cana on sargassum containment, collection, and offshore barriers under GIZ’s BioWaste Caribbean project, aiming to cut public health and coastal damage. Parlatino Push on Climate Action: Caribbean lawmakers met in Santo Domingo to coordinate responses to the sargassum crisis, climate change, and food security, including calls for a regional climate charter. Education for the Environment: Co-adjutor Archbishop Carlos Tomás Morel Diplán calls for mandatory ecological education in schools, saying the lack of protection for natural resources is becoming a national crisis. Plastic Pollution Hotspot: A new regional report flags the Dominican Republic among Latin America’s plastic pollution hotspots after China’s plastic-waste import ban, raising health and waste-management concerns. Earthquake Update: USGS reports multiple quakes across the region, including events near Punta Cana, with no tsunami threat for the U.S. East Coast.

Biodiversity & Forest Loss Warning: Agronomist Gabriel Valdez Sierra urged Dominican authorities to step up protection of natural resources, warning that deforestation and faster-than-regenerating soil erosion could threaten water, food production, and protected areas, while greenhouse gases intensify heat and stress ecosystems. Heat & Saharan Dust Alert: Indomet says severe to extreme heat will persist into the weekend, with Saharan dust concentrations rising and rainfall limited, though scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible in parts of the northwest, southeast, and Greater Santo Domingo. Regional Climate Action in Parliament: At PARLATINO meetings in Santo Domingo, Caribbean lawmakers pushed coordinated responses to climate change, the record sargassum crisis, and food security, including drafting a climate action charter and calling for stronger coastal mitigation. Environmental Education Push: Archbishop Carlos Tomás Morel Diplán said the lack of protection for Dominican natural resources is an escalating crisis and urged mandatory ecological education in schools, alongside awareness and love for nature. School Traffic Safety: New analysis highlights that school drop-offs can drive major morning congestion and safety risks, prompting calls for better traffic management around schools as the term starts. Plastic Waste Pressure: A report flags the Dominican Republic among regional plastic pollution hotspots after China’s plastic-waste import ban, warning of growing health risks from weak waste-handling capacity. Cocoa & Conservation: The Dominican Postal Institute issued a commemorative stamp for the Cocoa Commission’s 50th anniversary, linking cocoa to jobs, exports, and forest protection. Earthquakes Reported: USGS recorded multiple quakes around Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, including one in Punta Cana, with no tsunami threat reported.

Extreme Heat & Saharan Dust: Indomet warns the weekend will stay brutally hot, with a heat index above 37°C for at least three days (worst in the northwest) and Saharan dust concentrations that could top 100 µg/m³, plus scattered showers and thunderstorms in parts of the country. Regional Plastic Pollution: A new study flags the Dominican Republic as one of seven plastic-pollution hotspots across Latin America after China’s plastic-waste import ban, pointing to weak local capacity and rising health risks from open dumping. Caribbean Sargassum Push: Parlatino meeting in Santo Domingo moves to coordinate climate action across the region, including drafting a climate-action charter and declaring a Sargassum emergency to protect tourism and biodiversity. Tourism Training for Sustainability: Turio, a new specialized tourism academy in the DR, launches training that explicitly includes sustainability alongside tech and innovation—aimed at professionalizing a fast-changing sector. Cocoa & Conservation: Inposdom, the agriculture ministry and the National Cocoa Commission issue a commemorative stamp for cocoa’s 50th anniversary, highlighting cocoa’s role in forest protection and sustainable rural development. Queen Conch at Risk: A study says marine protected areas may lose the ocean conditions queen conch needs within two decades, raising the stakes beyond fishing pressure.

Heat & Dust Alert: Indomet says Saharan dust and severe-to-extreme heat will hit the Dominican Republic this weekend, with limited rainfall, hot conditions lingering, and scattered thunderstorms possible in parts of the northwest, southeast, and Greater Santo Domingo. Caribbean Sargassum Push: Parlatino met in Santo Domingo to coordinate climate and biodiversity action, including drafting a climate action charter and declaring a Sargassum emergency to protect tourism. Plastic Pollution Fallout: A new report flags the Dominican Republic among Latin America’s plastic pollution hotspots after China’s plastic-waste import ban, warning of rising health risks and weak local waste-handling capacity. Coastal Water & Sanitation: The DR will present drinking-water and coastal sanitation progress at an OAS meeting focused on clean water and resilience for communities and ecosystems. Tourism Skills Upgrade: Turio, a specialized tourism academy, launched in Santo Domingo to train workers beyond traditional hotel roles, including sustainability-focused programs. Cocoa & Forests: Inposdom issued a commemorative stamp for the Cocoa Commission’s 50th anniversary, highlighting cocoa’s role in exports, jobs, and forest conservation.

Extreme Heat & Saharan Dust: The Dominican Institute of Meteorology warns that from Sept. 9–15 the DR will keep seeing severe-to-extreme heat, with a heat index above 37°C for at least three straight days (highest in the northwest) and Saharan dust surges over the weekend that could top 100 µg/m³. Plastic Pollution Fallout: A new study flags the Dominican Republic as one of seven Latin American plastic “hotspots” after China’s plastic-waste import ban, warning that countries often lack capacity to handle incoming waste and that open dumping remains widespread. Seismic Activity in the Region: USGS reports 13 earthquakes around Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands in 24 hours, including multiple quakes in Punta Cana; no tsunami threat is expected. Clean Water & Coastal Sanitation: The DR will present drinking-water and coastal sanitation progress at an OAS CIDI meeting in Washington, D.C., highlighting efforts to protect coastal ecosystems and expand access. Tourism & Sustainability Skills: Turio, a new specialized tourism academy, launches in Santo Domingo with training that includes sustainability alongside tech and operations. Waste Protest in Greater Santo Domingo: La Cuaba residents continue blocking a planned commercial landfill/recycling project, saying authorities have interfered with peaceful marches and that the plan threatens their community. Biodiversity Discovery: An amateur naturalist’s iNaturalist photo helped scientists confirm a new hoverfly species found in the DR, underscoring how local observations can boost biodiversity research.

Extreme Heat & Saharan Dust: The Dominican Institute of Meteorology warns that from Sept. 9–15 the DR will keep seeing severe to extreme heat, with a heat index above 37°C for at least three straight days (highest risk in the northwest). A weekend spike in Saharan dust could push concentrations above 100 µg/m³, adding haze and worsening air quality. Seismic Watch: USGS reports 13 earthquakes in and around Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands over 24 hours, including a 3.5 quake near Punta Cana and another 3.6 in Punta Cana—no tsunami threat for the region or the U.S. East Coast. Water & Coastal Sanitation: The DR will present drinking-water and coastal sanitation progress at an OAS CIDI meeting in Washington, D.C., highlighting efforts to protect coastal ecosystems and strengthen community resilience. Waste Protest in Greater Santo Domingo: La Cuaba communities continue pushing President Abinader to stop a planned commercial landfill, after months of demonstrations and claims of police blocking a march. Biodiversity Spotlight: An amateur naturalist’s iNaturalist photo helped scientists confirm a new hoverfly species from the Dominican Republic, underscoring how local observations can reveal hidden biodiversity. Cocoa & Conservation: Inposdom and the National Cocoa Commission issued a commemorative stamp for the cocoa sector’s 50th anniversary, linking cocoa to forest protection and sustainable rural development. Tourism Training Push: Turio, a new specialized tourism academy, launched in Santo Domingo with programs spanning management, operations, hospitality, tech, innovation, and sustainability.

Extreme Heat & Saharan Dust: Indomet warns the DR will keep feeling severe-to-extreme heat into the weekend, with heat indexes above 37°C for several days (highest in the northwest) and Saharan dust spikes that could top 100 µg/m³, raising haze and health risks. Water & Coastal Resilience: The Dominican Republic will present drinking-water and coastal sanitation progress at an OAS CIDI meeting in Washington, focusing on cleaner water, stronger communities, and protecting coastal ecosystems. Waste & Community Pushback: La Cuaba residents in Greater Santo Domingo continue protests against a planned commercial landfill, saying authorities blocked a march and that the project threatens local health and the environment. Ports for Climate-Smart Growth: President Abinader highlights port modernization as key to exports, imports, and logistics, pointing to projects like Pedernales, La Romana expansion, Samaná, and Manzanillo upgrades. Biodiversity Spotlight: A Dominican Republic iNaturalist photo helped scientists confirm a new hoverfly species found at Valle Nuevo National Park, showing how local observations can advance biodiversity science. Tourism Training With Sustainability: Turio, a new specialized tourism academy, launches with programs spanning management, technology, innovation, and sustainability.

Extreme Heat & Saharan Dust: Indomet warns that from Sept. 9–15 the Dominican Republic will face severe to extreme heat, with a heat index above 37°C for at least three straight days (highest in the northwest), plus Saharan dust surges over the weekend that could top 100 µg/m³—raising health risks, especially for people with respiratory conditions. Coastal Water & Sanitation: The DR will present its drinking-water and coastal sanitation progress at an OAS CIDI meeting in Washington, D.C., under “Clean Water, Strong Communities, a More Resilient Hemisphere,” highlighting efforts to protect coastal ecosystems and expand services. Waste Fight in Greater Santo Domingo: La Cuaba communities continue protests against a planned commercial landfill, saying authorities blocked a peaceful march and that residents have been stopping construction crews for months. Ports & Climate-Smart Logistics: President Abinader pushed port modernization as key to trade and resilience at REPICA 2026, pointing to new and expanded harbors and linking logistics upgrades to jobs and regional competitiveness. Biodiversity Watch: A new study warns Caribbean queen conch protected areas may lose the ocean conditions the species needs abruptly within two decades, even if fishing pressure is controlled. Tourism Planning With Sustainability: Tourism Minister David Collado urged a shift toward higher hotel rates and greater tourist spending, paired with sustainability and territorial planning in fast-growing destinations. New Cocoa Milestone: Inposdom, the Agriculture Ministry and the National Cocoa Commission issued a commemorative stamp for the cocoa sector’s 50th anniversary, noting cocoa’s role in supporting livelihoods and forest conservation. Biodiversity Discovery: An amateur naturalist’s photo in the DR helped scientists confirm a new hoverfly species, underscoring how local observations can advance biodiversity science.

Water & Sanitation Diplomacy: The Dominican Republic will present its progress on drinking water and coastal sanitation at an OAS meeting in Washington, D.C., highlighting INAPA’s work to expand access, improve sanitation infrastructure, and protect coastal ecosystems. Plastic Pollution Watch: A new regional study flags the Dominican Republic among “plastic pollution hotspots,” warning that weak waste systems and hard-to-recycle plastics are driving leaks into the environment with public-health risks. Coastal Conservation Under Climate Pressure: Research on Caribbean queen conch finds marine protected areas may lose the ocean conditions the species needs abruptly within two decades, shifting the issue from fisheries management to climate resilience. Tourism Planning & Sustainability: Tourism Minister David Collado urged a higher-value tourism push—raising hotel rates and visitor spending—while strengthening sustainability and territorial planning in fast-growing destinations. Waste Protest in Greater Santo Domingo: La Cuaba communities continue demanding President Abinader intervene to stop a planned commercial landfill, after months of demonstrations and claims of police blocking. Cocoa Sector & Forests: Inposdom, the Agriculture Ministry, and the National Cocoa Commission issued a commemorative stamp for the cocoa commission’s 50th anniversary, tying cocoa to export jobs and forest conservation. Biodiversity Discovery: An amateur naturalist’s iNaturalist photo from the Dominican Republic helped scientists confirm a new hoverfly species, underscoring how local observations can reveal hidden biodiversity. Ports as Climate-Resilient Growth: Abinader emphasized port modernization as key to exports and logistics, linking infrastructure upgrades with regional competitiveness and jobs.

Water & Sanitation: The Dominican Republic will present its drinking-water and coastal sanitation progress at an OAS meeting in Washington, D.C., with INAPA’s Wellington Arnaud highlighting efforts to expand access, improve sanitation infrastructure, and protect coastal ecosystems. Waste & Community Resistance: La Cuaba residents in Greater Santo Domingo are continuing protests against a planned commercial landfill, saying authorities blocked a march and that construction crews and heavy machinery have been halted by community action for months. Ports & Resilience: President Luis Abinader used the REPICA 2026 port meeting to stress that modern ports and logistics are key to exports, imports, and resilience, pointing to projects like Pedernales and La Romana expansions and upcoming Port Samaná. Plastic Pollution: A new regional study flags the Dominican Republic among “plastic pollution hotspots” in Latin America, warning that weak waste systems are letting imported plastic leak into the environment. Biodiversity Discovery: An amateur naturalist’s hoverfly photo from the Dominican Republic helped scientists confirm a new species, underscoring how local observations can boost biodiversity research. Cocoa & Conservation: Inposdom, the Agriculture Ministry, and the National Cocoa Commission issued a commemorative stamp for the cocoa sector’s 50th anniversary, linking cocoa to forest protection and sustainable development.

Water & Sanitation Diplomacy: The Dominican Republic will present drinking-water and coastal sanitation progress at an OAS CIDI meeting in Washington on Sept. 10, with INAPA’s Wellington Arnaud highlighting access gains and coastal ecosystem protection. Agriculture Resilience Funding: Banreservas, FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture announced about RD$1.18 billion to modernize farming, including efficient water and natural-resource management, climate adaptation, and productivity upgrades. Rare Earths Research in Pedernales: The DR and the EU signed a joint declaration to study rare earth elements, gallium and scandium in the Ávila karst bauxite reserve, aiming for sustainability, transparency and stronger technical capacity before any future decisions. Waste & Community Pushback: La Cuaba residents in Greater Santo Domingo kept protesting a planned commercial landfill, saying authorities blocked a march and that construction crews were halted by ongoing demonstrations. Marine Biodiversity Under Climate Pressure: A new study warns Caribbean queen conch habitat may become unsuitable abruptly within two decades, raising alarms about protected areas failing under climate change. Tourism Planning With Sustainability: Tourism Minister David Collado urged higher hotel rates and visitor spending, while calling for better territorial planning in fast-growing destinations. Local Nature Discovery: An amateur naturalist’s iNaturalist photo helped scientists confirm a new hoverfly species found in Valle Nuevo National Park. Ports as Climate-Linked Development: President Abinader highlighted port modernization as key to growth and logistics, including projects tied to tourism and trade.

Water & Sanitation Diplomacy: The Dominican Republic will present its progress on drinking water and coastal sanitation at an OAS CIDI meeting in Washington on Sept. 10, with INAPA’s Wellington Arnaud expected to highlight infrastructure gains and lessons for regional resilience. Plastic & Waste Pressure: A new regional study flags the Dominican Republic among “plastic pollution hotspots,” warning that weak waste systems and hard-to-recycle plastics are driving leakage into the environment with public health risks. Marine Life Under Climate Stress: A peer-reviewed study says Caribbean queen conch marine protected areas may lose the ocean conditions the species needs abruptly within two decades, shifting the conservation challenge beyond fishing pressure. Local Waste Fight: La Cuaba communities in Greater Santo Domingo continue protests against a planned commercial landfill, alleging authorities blocked a march and residents have halted construction for months. Tourism With a Sustainability Lens: Tourism Minister David Collado urged higher hotel rates and stronger tourist spending, arguing growth must translate into better outcomes for Dominicans while improving territorial planning. Agriculture Modernization: Banreservas, FAO and the Agriculture Ministry agreed on about RD$1.18 billion to modernize farming, including efficient water management and climate-change adaptation. EU Rare Earth Research: The DR and EU signed a joint declaration to study rare earth elements, gallium and scandium in Pedernales’ Ávila karst bauxite reserve, aiming for sustainability and better decision-making.

EU Carbon Credits Rules: The EU moved from principle to practice on international carbon credits, setting a 2036 cap of up to 260 million tonnes for “high-quality” Article 6 credits and linking it to ETS review plans. Plastic Pollution Crisis: A new study flags the Dominican Republic among Latin America’s “plastic pollution hotspots,” warning that weak waste systems and hard-to-recycle plastics are driving leaks into the environment with major health risks. Agriculture Resilience Funding: Banreservas, FAO and the Agriculture Ministry agreed on about RD$1.18 billion to modernize farming with mechanization, efficient water use, climate adaptation and productivity gains. Rare Earth Research in Pedernales: The Dominican Republic and the EU signed a joint declaration to study rare earth elements, gallium and scandium in Ávila’s karst bauxite reserve, aiming for sustainability and better decision-making. Tourism With a Higher Value Goal: Tourism Minister David Collado urged higher hotel rates and stronger tourist spending, pairing growth with sustainability and territorial planning. Samaná Tourism Guide: The Go Samaná 2026-2027 guide spotlights beaches, humpback whales, culture and nature tourism while pushing sustainable resource management. Weather Watch: Indomet reported heavy downpours risk from a tropical wave and trough, with showers and thunderstorms expected in several provinces and hot conditions overall.

Ports & Logistics: President Luis Abinader urged faster port development as a backbone for Dominican growth, pointing to projects like Pedernales, La Romana expansion, Samaná’s upcoming port, and Manzanillo modernization—plus a jump from 3 cruise terminals and ~1M cruise visitors in 2018 to 6 cruise ports and ~3M visitors today. Tourism Value Push: Tourism Minister David Collado says the next phase must raise hotel rates and visitor spending, with sustainability and territorial planning in fast-growing areas like Bávaro-Punta Cana, Samaná, Puerto Plata, La Romana, and Bayahíbe. Agriculture Modernization: Banreservas, FAO and the Agriculture Ministry will back ~RD$1.18B for mechanization, new tech, efficient water and climate adaptation to boost productivity and reduce food insecurity. Rare Earths in Pedernales: The Dominican government and the EU signed a joint declaration to fund scientific studies on rare earth elements, gallium, and scandium in Ávila’s karst bauxite reserve, stressing sustainability and environmental protection. Plastic Pollution Health Risk: A new study flags the Dominican Republic among “plastic pollution hotspots” in Latin America, warning that weak waste systems and hard-to-recycle plastics are leaking into the environment with major health impacts. Hurricane-Ready Nature Areas: A National Statistics Office report finds protected areas that help buffer storms are also among the most exposed to repeated cyclones, with some categories facing up to 20 events since 1990. Weather Watch: Indomet warns of heavy downpours and thunderstorms inland over Sept. 6–8, with hot conditions and a stifling heat index across Greater Santo Domingo and multiple provinces. Tourism Supply Chain + Circular Economy: Asonahores and AIRD will link Dominican manufacturers to hotel and tourism supply chains, including sustainability and circular-economy efforts like waste reduction and recycling.

Tourism Value Shift: Tourism Minister David Collado says the next phase is about higher hotel rates and higher tourist spending, with sustainability and territorial planning needed in fast-growing areas like Bávaro-Punta Cana, Samaná, Puerto Plata, La Romana and Bayahíbe. Agriculture Modernization: Banreservas, FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture launched an RD$1.18 billion financing mechanism to modernize farming—mechanization, new tech, efficient water and natural resource management, climate adaptation, and productivity gains. Rare Earth Research in Pedernales: The Dominican government and the EU signed a joint declaration to study rare earth elements, gallium and scandium in the Ávila Mining Fiscal Reserve, aiming for sustainability, transparency and better decision-making. Local Supply Chains for Tourism: Asonahores and AIRD partnered to connect Dominican manufacturers with hotel and tourism buyers, including a sustainability and circular economy push for waste reduction and recycling. Protected Areas Under Storm Pressure: A new ONE bulletin finds protected areas that buffer hurricanes are also among the most exposed to cyclones, with some categories facing up to 20 events from 1990–2025. Weather Watch: Indomet warns of heavy downpours and thunderstorms from a tropical wave and upper-level trough, with rainfall expected across multiple provinces and hot conditions in Greater Santo Domingo.