Dominican Republic has assumed the presidency of the Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) for the 2026-2027 period. This achievement was realized during the 16th session of the body, held from January 10 to 12 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Minister of Energy and Mines, Joel Santos, participated virtually to mark this milestone.
In recent years, Dominican Republic has tripled its installed capacity of renewable energy, reaching 25% of national energy demand. This progress responds to an updated regulatory framework, private investments and data‑driven planning, positioning the energy transition as a pillar of national security.
Caribbean Vision and Global South Focus
Minister Santos emphasized that Dominican Republic will assume this responsibility with an emphasis on a just and inclusive transition. The presidency will prioritize small island developing states (PEID), vulnerable to climate change, hurricanes and sargassum, a transboundary challenge with environmental and economic impacts.
Among the key initiatives, Dominican Republic will convene a High‑Level Global Forum on Energy Transition. This forum will aim to turn sargassum into energy opportunities through S2E (Sargassum to Energy) solutions, fostering political leadership and strategic alliances.
Priorities in Investment and Emerging Technologies
Regional Investment and Cooperation Forums
Dominican Republic will promote a Regional Investment Forum together with IRENA. It will facilitate dialogues among governments, banks, companies and partners to overcome regulatory and financial barriers, improving the viability of renewable projects.
- Mobilization of resources for PEID.
- Strengthening bankability in renewables.
- Integration of artificial intelligence in energy planning.
The country reaffirms its commitment to global targets: tripling renewable capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, aligned with the Paris Agreement.
Context of IRENA and Its Relevance
IRENA, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Abu Dhabi, brings together 169 member states and the European Union. It serves as a platform for technical advice, financing and knowledge on renewables, especially for developing nations. The Abu Dhabi session, under the theme “Empowering humanity: renewable energy for shared prosperity”, featured ministers and global experts. Betty Soto, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Energy Transition, represented Dominican Republic on site.
This role of Dominican Republic strengthens its regional leadership, turning challenges such as sargassum into sustainable development and placing the Caribbean on the global clean energy agenda.
