DR and Haitian Authorities Coordinate Actions to Reduce Poverty

DR and Haitian Authorities Coordinate Actions to Reduce Poverty
Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo 22/02/13

The governments of the Dominican Republic and Haiti have been discussing ways to make the best use of European Union funds allocated for protecting the environment in the border area between the two countries, and for generating wealth that would help reduce poverty.

Experts from the Dominican Republic and Haiti began holding a series of work meetings aimed at searching for sustainable solutions, in particular for the border area between the two countries, which are focused on reforestation, watershed management and the creation of a border zone ecological corridor.

The Dominican Minister of the Environment, Bautista Rojas Gómez, received Haiti’s National Administrator of European Funds, Jean Edner Nelson, the Haitian Minister of Industry and Commerce, Wilson Laleu, and advisor to the President of Haiti on environmental affairs, Gesner Champagne, in his ministerial office.

The authorities of both countries favor the creation of a bilateral fund that supports environmental recovery in the border zone, and creates conditions for developing micro, small and medium enterprises that will serve as a counterpart to the €7.2 million euros in donated EU funds.

Haitian authorities stressed the success of the Quisqueya Verde Reforestation Program, and the Endemic and Native Seed Bank of the Dominican Republic.  They requested local technical support for initiatives announced by President Martelly, who declared 2013 the Year of Reforestation.

In response, Rojas Gómez expressed a willingness to help Haitian professionals in their plans to recover forest vegetation, and stressed the importance of including environmental issues on the agenda being developed by the Binational Mixed Commission.

The Haitian Minister of Industry and Commerce indicated that developing his country’s economy is impossible given the current environmental conditions in Haiti. “Working to overcome environmental problems is an essential component of fighting poverty; therefore, we must work to generate awareness and support educational programs,” stated Laleu.

Experts from the Dominican Republic and Haiti began holding a series of work meetings aimed at searching for sustainable solutions, in particular for the border area between the two countries, which are focused on reforestation, watershed management and the creation of a border zone ecological corridor.

Also in attendance were Antonio Vargas Hernández, General Director of Multilateral Cooperation and National Administrator of European Development Funds for the Dominican Republic; Dr. Onofre Rojas, Executive Director of the Greater Santo Domingo Commonwealth; and Patricia Abreu and Manuel Serrano, Vice Ministers of International Cooperation and Forest Resources, respectively.