In the Dominican Republic, a new vision emerges for food and climate policy convergence

At the National Palace in Santo Domingo, senior officials, lawmakers, and development partners gathered in July 2025 for a milestone discussion on how to better align the Dominican Republic’s food systems with its climate goals.

The event concluded a months-long national dialogue process under the Hub’s Convergence Initiative, a global effort launched by the UN Deputy Secretary-General at COP28 to bring food systems transformation and climate action together. For the Dominican Republic, this alignment represents an essential step toward resilience and long-term sustainability.

A unified national effort

The process began earlier in the year with separate dialogues for the private and public sectors, drawing insights from agribusiness leaders, ministries, academia, and local institutions. It was supported throughout by the Hub’s Regional Focal Point for Latin America and the Caribbean, Juana Giraldo. The July session brought these perspectives together at the highest political level to consolidate findings and set the stage for coordinated action.

The dialogue opened with remarks from Mr. José Ignacio Paliza, Minister of the Presidency and President of the National Council for Food Security and Nutrition (CONASSAN), who highlighted the close connection between food systems and climate change. He stressed the need for proactive planning to build resilient systems that combine technology, production, and innovation with forward-looking resource management.

Mr. Manuel Robles, Executive Director of the Technical Secretariat for Food and Nutritional Sovereignty and Security (SETESSAN), emphasized the importance of interinstitutional coordination and cross-sector collaboration to ensure that the outcomes of these dialogues translate into concrete actions. He noted the Dominican Republic’s leadership in aligning food systems transformation with the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), calling the process both timely and inclusive.

Food and climate: one agenda

Speakers throughout the session acknowledged that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality affecting food production, livelihoods, and ecosystems. Mr. Limber Cruz, Minister of Agriculture and National Food Systems Convenor, outlined ongoing efforts to align sectoral policies with national climate strategies, including investment in climate-smart infrastructure, efficient water use, agricultural research, and the promotion of resilient, traceable products.

Mr. Max Puig, Executive Vice President of the National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism (CNCCMDL), noted the strategic timing of this process, as the country continues to revise its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This provides an opportunity to formally integrate food systems transformation into national climate commitments and ensure coherence across government policies.

Mr. Rodrigo Castañeda, FAO Representative in the Dominican Republic, commended the government for adopting and advancing the Convergence Initiative. He noted the country’s vulnerability to climate impacts and emphasized the importance of coherence between the Food Systems Roadmap and environmental objectives.

Building coherence across agendas

International partners commended the Dominican Republic for adopting and advancing the Convergence Initiative, emphasizing its importance for a nation with significant exposure to climate impacts. The approach seeks to strengthen coherence between the country’s Food Systems Roadmap, adaptation plans, and environmental priorities – combining social inclusion, sustainability, and economic opportunity.

Mr. Víktor Rodríguez, Director of the Office of Agricultural Trade Agreements, reaffirmed national commitment to a sustainable and equitable future, announcing the establishment of a National Convergence Group coordinated by the Ministry of the Presidency. This body will serve as a cross-sector platform for monitoring, coordination, and participation by government, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders.

Introducing the Convergence Action Blueprint

A key highlight of the dialogue was the presentation of the Convergence Action Blueprint (CAB) – a national framework designed to guide the integration of food systems transformation and climate action.

The CAB is structured around four pillars:

1. Vision and convergence objectives – aligning national goals with global commitments such as the SDGs and the Paris Agreement.
2. Key interventions – focused on governance, investment mobilization, capacity development, and inclusive stakeholder engagement.
3. Milestones – including the formation of the National Convergence Group, pilot projects, and private sector activation.
4. Monitoring and accountability – through indicators, feedback mechanisms, and reporting aligned with national and global frameworks.

The plan builds upon existing instruments such as the country’s Food Systems Roadmap, the National Plan for Food and Nutrition Security (SSAN), and the National Adaptation Plan, and will inform the upcoming revision of the NDCs.

The road ahead

Participants emphasized the need to integrate relevant legislation, including the Law on School Meals and the Water Use Law, into the CAB to ensure coherence between food security and resource management. Many also called for stronger territorial implementation, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions, and for the inclusion of youth and women in decision-making processes.

Next steps will focus on finalizing the CAB through institutional review and validation, followed by the launch of the National Convergence Group to oversee implementation.

The outcomes of the dialogue set the stage for practical action – translating national commitments into coordinated policies that protect people, food systems, and the environment.