PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic — President Luis Abinader has urged Latin American and Caribbean nations to elevate water and sanitation infrastructure to the top of their development agendas, emphasizing that sanitation can no longer be considered a secondary policy issue given its far-reaching impact on public health, economic growth, environmental protection, and climate resilience.
Speaking during Latinosan 2026 in Punta Cana, Abinader said access to clean water and modern sanitation services is fundamental to reducing social inequality, safeguarding natural resources, strengthening tourism-driven economies, and improving the quality of life for millions of people across the region. He stressed that sustainable development goals cannot be achieved without universal access to reliable water and sanitation systems.
The president highlighted several major initiatives underway in the Dominican Republic, including the Verón-Punta Cana Water and Sewerage Project, a key infrastructure development expected to benefit more than one million residents and visitors. The project is part of the government’s Universal Sanitation Program for Coastal and Tourist Cities, an initiative aimed at protecting water resources, supporting sustainable tourism, and guiding orderly urban growth in one of the country’s fastest-growing economic corridors.
Abinader also pointed to what he described as a historic transformation of the Dominican Republic’s water sector, driven by record levels of investment, institutional modernization, and long-term strategic planning. During the conference, Wellington Arnaud, executive director of the National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewerage (INAPA), noted that the government is overseeing one of the region’s most ambitious water and sanitation investment programs, including projects developed in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) valued at nearly US$1 billion.
According to officials, these investments will expand access to safe drinking water, increase wastewater treatment capacity, and help protect more than 200 kilometers of coastline while benefiting over one million people. Participants at Latinosan 2026 also highlighted the Dominican Republic’s growing role as a regional leader in water management and sustainable infrastructure, citing the country’s efforts as a model for improving public health, environmental sustainability, and long-term economic development through strategic investmen
