Dominican Republic and UAE Seal Strategic Partnership to Advance Government Excellence
The Dominican Republic and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have entered into a landmark strategic partnership aimed at fast-tracking government innovation and institutional transformation in the Caribbean region. This significant collaboration was cemented by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 3rd in Dubai, officially welcoming the Dominican Republic into the UAE’s **Government Experience Exchange Program (GEEP)**—a global initiative designed to promote best practices in government modernization.
A Roadmap for Transformation
The agreement was formalized by Vice Minister Luis Madera Sued, representing the Dominican Ministry of the Presidency, and H.E. Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister at the UAE Prime Minister’s Office. The renewable MoU—valid for five years—is backed by significant UAE funding and lays out a focused roadmap for government transformation in the following pivotal areas:
- Public sector innovation
- Digital transformation of services
- Artificial intelligence (AI) in governance
- Institutional performance
- Human capital development
This bilateral cooperation directly supports the Dominican Republic’s national long-term strategic vision, Meta RD 2036, promoted by President Luis Abinader and implemented through the Ministry of the Presidency. It builds upon ongoing efforts such as the country’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (ENIA), launched in 2023, which aims to turn the nation into a regional pioneer in AI-driven governance and digital innovation.
Learning from Global Best Practices
“‘The UAE has transformed itself in a generation—this is the same goal we have set for ourselves.’”
This statement by Dominican Ambassador to the UAE, Renso Herrera Franco, captures the driving ambition behind the partnership. He emphasized that the program goes beyond symbolic cooperation—it serves as a structured roadmap for institutional transformation, deeply rooted in global best practices.
The GEEP, launched in 2018, has rapidly grown into an influential platform for government knowledge exchange, with countries like Kenya, Guyana, Seychelles, and Uganda tapping into the UAE’s renowned expertise in public sector development, innovation, and capacity building.
Strategic Coordination and National Development
The MoU follows over a year of intensive diplomacy and strategic dialogue, involving collaborative efforts from the Dominican Ministry of the Presidency, the Ministry of Foreign Relations, and the Dominican Embassy in the UAE. Ambassador Herrera Franco, with more than 30 years in foreign service, noted that this milestone demonstrates how professional diplomacy can be a powerful tool for national progress and strengthening bilateral ties.
Accelerating Digital and AI-Driven Governance
This partnership comes at a crucial time for the Dominican Republic, as it aims to become a regional leader in digital governance and artificial intelligence. Through initiatives like TAINA and CiudadanIA, the country is integrating AI solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also aligned with Dominican cultural values and identity.
ENIA sets a framework for ethical, inclusive, and responsible AI adoption that enhances public administration, boosts transparency, and facilitates human capital growth. By joining GEEP, the Dominican Republic stands to significantly accelerate its digital transformation journey, learning from a country that has already positioned itself as a global model in government excellence.
With this partnership, both nations reaffirm their shared commitment to sustainable development, institutional scalability, and forward-looking governance strategies, charting a future built on collaboration, innovation, and mutual growth.
Team V.DIR-EM-UAE
