Dominican Republic and UAE Forge Strategic Bridge at World Governments Summit Dialogue in Latin America and Caribbean
SANTO DOMINGO, 6 October 2025 — The strategic partnership between the Dominican Republic and the World Governments Summit (WGS) has been hailed as a pivotal bridge linking Latin America and the UAE, advancing opportunities for innovation, trade, and sustainable development. Speaking during the WGS Dialogue in Latin America and the Caribbean—an event that brought together leading voices from government, business, and academia—President Luis Abinader underscored the growing potential of cross-regional cooperation.
President Abinader, in an interactive dialogue, outlined the nation’s ambition to become a dynamic hub in the region, leveraging its strengths in tourism, trade, and innovation. He stressed the transformation from a model based on resilience to one of strategic investment, enabling the Dominican Republic’s vision to have broader regional impact. According to Luis Abinader, “small economies can capitalise on their unique strengths to achieve significant gains,” especially by navigating global geopolitical shifts and harnessing strategic partnerships to reinforce competitiveness.
The president also addressed how rapid global changes, uncertainties in investment, and evolving political dynamics offer new chances to renew national policies and maintain the Dominican Republic’s role as a regional leader.
Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the WGS, affirmed, “the Summit is a global platform for promoting dialogue and enabling positive partnerships,” reinforcing its mission to expand international cooperation. He noted the critical role of Latin America and the Caribbean in strengthening the Global South, advocating for shared approaches and effective partnerships that leverage the expertise of governments, regional organizations, and the private sector.
Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, highlighted the immense potential for partnership between the UAE, Latin America, and the Caribbean. “Despite the vast oceans that separate the UAE from Latin America and the Caribbean, the potential for partnership and collaboration between our regions is immense. Platforms like the WGS-LAC Dialogue offer valuable opportunities to explore concrete actions that can strengthen our diplomatic, economic, and people-to-people ties,” commented Noura Al Kaabi.
Dialogue sessions brought together several prominent partners, including Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Dubai Chambers, Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), Dubai Holding, Quadrillion Advisory, in5 Dubai (Tecom Group), DP World, Hills Advertising, and Emirates Airline. Their input spanned critical areas such as the economy, technology, and government services, infusing the discussions with real-world insights.
Organized in follow-up to the WGS 2025 high-level roundtable on Latin American investments, the Dialogue sought to identify shared priorities across the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean, cultivating new opportunities for socioeconomic development. The participant roster included billion-dollar companies, investors, public sector representatives, and leaders from regional and international organizations.
Key sessions included:
- “Governance Drivers for Economic Prosperity in a Complex World” with Víctor Orlando Bisonó Haza (Dominican Republic Minister of Industry, Trade and MSMEs), Mohamed Yousef Al Sharhan (WGS Managing Director), Sofiane Issa (International Finance Corporation), among others, focusing on the need for resilient, innovation-driven governance.
- “Governance Models for 21st Century Challenges“, probing how governments can embrace digital transformation and remain agile amid constant change, with panelists such as Sigmund Freund (Minister of Public Administration, Dominican Republic) and Omar Al Mahmoud (UAE ICT Fund).
- “Future Horizons“, where Ángel Melguizo (Ariga Green Technology and Economy), Saeed Al Falasi (Dubai Future Foundation), and Saeed Al Nofeli (in5 Dubai) discussed how foresight and innovation can power sustainable future economies.
- “South–South” and “From MENA to Latin America” examined the transformative potential of interregional cooperation in areas like trade, energy, and institutional development.
- Financial and investment discussions were led by experts such as Juan Sabater (Valor Equity Partners), Tim Kingston (Goldman Sachs Latin America), Athan Stephanopoulos (Antenna Group), and Juan José Daboub (HUGE Business and Investment Council), who considered how global capital and smart integration can fuel innovation-led growth.
Prominent geopolitical themes were addressed by General Christopher Cavoli, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, who analyzed the influence of shifting alliances on economic and security priorities.
The Dialogue also spotlighted the power of storytelling as a cultural and economic asset in a session led by Santiago García Galván (Itaca Films), stating that crafted narratives not only shape national identity and project image, but also form a bridge that connects societies.
A special session focused on mapping future strategies to transition Latin America from a region of opportunity to a global economic powerhouse, featuring Manuel J. Balbontin (Vinchi Compass), Luis Felipe de Oliveira (Exactly Consulting & Services), and Juan Gonzalo Flores (IFC, World Bank Group).
Specialized councils addressed themes such as future capital, financial resilience, smarter tourism, artificial intelligence in leadership, food and resource security, with practical insights from government, business, and academic perspectives.
During the Dialogue, President Abinader witnessed the signing of a knowledge partnership agreement between the World Governments Summit and the Centre for Public Policy Analysis in Latin America (CAPP), represented by Víctor Haza and Mohammed Al Sharhan. This alliance is set to reinforce South-South cooperation, exchange expertise, and expand the global impact of joint ideas and innovative policies.
In parallel, the WGS partnered with Kearney Foresight to launch the report, “Nine Catalysts for National Transformation at the Level of Individuals and Systems“. This forward-looking document addresses the swelling pressures on governments—from climate disasters to cybersecurity threats—and lays out actionable strategies. The report divides its nine transformation catalysts into three pillars: community-led initiatives, multilateral action, and transformative measures, providing a clear roadmap supported by case studies and innovative policy recommendations.
As the Dialogue concluded, it was clear that cross-border, cross-sector partnerships, powered by innovation, strategic investment, and knowledge exchange, will be central to turning the potential of Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East into sustained, inclusive growth for future generations.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
