The Dominican capital serves as a key stage for climate collaboration between the European Union (EU) and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), hosting the Euroclima Annual Meeting from March 10 to 12, 2025.
This event brings together government representatives from 33 LAC countries with the aim of strengthening the EU-LAC partnership and advancing the green and just transition in the region.
The Euroclima Program has been implementing crucial actions in the Dominican Republic. Since its inception, it has allocated over **3 million euros** (approximately 189 million Dominican pesos) to strengthen the country’s capacities in national priority areas such as sustainable mobility, water management, and the circular economy.
Regarding sustainable mobility, investments will be directed toward **transforming the public transport bus fleet,** replacing fossil fuel-powered vehicles with electric or hybrid alternatives. Additionally, **non-motorized mobility (bicycles) will be encouraged** as an alternative mode of transportation.
Actions related to water resource management will contribute to improving water recharge in the Grande del Medio sub-basin, impacting an area of approximately **70,000 hectares.**
Regarding **sargassum management**, the National Integrated Sargassum Management System will be validated and implemented, and the regulatory framework for handling, disposal, and utilization of sargassum will be strengthened. Furthermore, improvements will be made to the **monitoring and early warning system** to ensure timely, accessible, and consolidated information for decision-making in managing this algae.
“I also want to emphasize that, in these times of uncertainty, the European Union remains a reliable and responsible partner. Since 1990, we have reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by 32%, and we currently contribute only 6% of global emissions,” highlighted **Katja Afheldt, Ambassador of the European Union** to the Dominican Republic, during the opening event.
She specified that the EU’s goal is to become **the first climate-neutral continent in exactly 9,062 days, meaning by 2050.** “Euroclima is another demonstration of our firm commitment to the fight against climate change and our solidarity with our partners. We have invested 260 million euros in Euroclima since its creation, and by the end of 2023, 260 interventions will have been executed in over 20 countries.”
“The green and just transition is a priority area of our cooperation with the region. This significance is reflected in Germany’s substantial co-financing of the program, amounting to 33 million euros (approximately 2.2 billion Dominican pesos) from 2016 to date,” stated **Maike Friedrichsen, German Ambassador to the Dominican Republic.**
**Spanish Ambassador Antonio Pérez-Hernández Torra** emphasized that the Spanish government is fully committed to the triple transition: **ecological, economic, and social**, driven by the European Union’s Global Gateway investment agenda.
“In the Dominican Republic, through AECID and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, projects are being initiated in the water sector, specifically in the upper Yaque del Sur basin, to ensure water recharge and the quality of water-producing ecosystems through practical ecological restoration solutions. Additionally, “Cooperación Española” is providing complementary resources to support a comprehensive strategy for addressing the sargassum problem in the Caribbean,” the diplomat stated.
“Our collaboration with Euroclima has materialized in strategic projects that reflect our commitment to sustainability and climate action, such as sustainable mobility, with the development of a more efficient and less polluting transportation system; sargassum management, where we are advancing a comprehensive response to this phenomenon affecting our coasts and local economies; water resources and climate adaptation, ensuring water access amid increasing climate variability; and sustainable finance and green bonds, promoting investments aligned with our climate goals and strengthening the financial sector’s role in the green transition,” expressed **Armando Paíno Henríquez, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.**
“Euroclima drives transformative actions that support Global Gateway green investments in key sectors for climate adaptation and mitigation,” emphasized **Felice Zaccheo, Head of the Regional Programs Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean at the European Commission**.
“The transition to a low-carbon, resilient, and sustainable economy is a global challenge that we can only tackle through cooperation, innovation, and a firm commitment to sustainability,” **affirmed Alexis Cruz, Senior Authority at the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Development**. Economist Cruz stated that, through the Ministry of Economy, the country has prepared a **long-term climate change strategy**, which will serve as an instrument of national climate policy to integrate climate goals with the National Development Strategy (END), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and sectoral plans, thereby supporting the implementation and updating of **Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).**
In an inspiring speech at the event, **Max Puig, Executive Vice President of the National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism**, stated: “For Latin America and the Caribbean, climate change is a crucial challenge. Our region, with its immense biodiversity and natural wealth, is one of the most vulnerable to the effects of global warming, threatening not only our environment but also our economies and the quality of life for millions of people. Our region cannot rely on partial solutions or delayed commitments. Climate action must be a top priority on our development agenda.”
**Summit Agenda**
The program is being carried out in collaboration with the Government of the Dominican Republic, through key national institutions such as the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Development, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, and the National Council for Climate Change.
Additionally, the **Dominican Republic Country Action Plan** will be implemented from 2024 to 2026 by four of the eight bilateral and United Nations cooperation agencies that make up the Euroclima Program’s implementing consortium: the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), Expertise France (EF), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP), working together under the “Team Europe” approach to ensure the implementation of actions between 2024 and 2026.
Impact will be measured through the **promotion of policies and projects** that foster sustainable infrastructure, the strengthening of natural resource management systems, and the adoption of environmental practices that contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
**About Euroclima**
Euroclima is an EU regional cooperation program that has promoted sustainability in LAC since 2010. It facilitates the development of climate policies, regulatory frameworks, and innovative projects in key areas such as energy transition, biodiversity, and the circular economy. Under the Global Gateway strategy and the “Team Europe” approach, Euroclima supports water resource management, sustainable mobility, and energy efficiency, mobilizing climate finance through networks such as ArticuLAC.
EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela emphasized that “in our commitment to our partners, we must align our interests with theirs, strengthening their position in global value chains and green industrialization through investments.” During the meeting, initiatives will be discussed to implement GGIA and prepare for key events such as the EU-CELAC Summit in Colombia and COP30 in Brazil, both in November 2025.
**Photo Caption**
Historic group photo under the fig tree of Euroclima participants in the Dominican Republic. Leading the summit are Katja Afheldt, EU Ambassador to the Dominican Republic; Maike Friedrichsen, German Ambassador to the Dominican Republic; Antonio Pérez-Hernández Torra, Spanish Ambassador to the Dominican Republic; Felice Zaccheo, Head of the Regional Programs Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean, DG-INTPA, European Commission; Alexis Cruz, Senior Authority at the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Development; Armando Paíno Henríquez, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources; Max Puig, Executive Vice President of the National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism; and Olaya Dotel, Deputy Minister of International Cooperation at MEPYD.