As part of the 1st edition of the "First Forum for the Sustainable Development of the Southern Border Zone" held at the Catholic Technological University of Barahona (UCATEBA), representatives of governmental and social organizations from Haiti and the Dominican Republic discussed key issues for the development of the border populations of the two Nations.

The event, organized by the "Fundación Frontera Sur" within the framework of the binational cooperation program for coexistence, funded by the European Union, focused on the environment, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, trade, planning territory and governance.

Researcher Yvonne Arias, Executive Director of the Jaragua Group, said that the cross-border biosphere reserve "La Selle-Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo", shared between the two countries "has extraordinary natural and cultural resources which, if managed well, could greatly contribute to the sustainable development of their reciprocal communities."

Bridget Wooding, Director of the Center for Migration Observation and Social Development in the Caribbean (OBMICA), presented the results of the “Study on the border situation and conflict resolution”.

Download the study (PDF 64 pages in Spanish) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/Estudio-Situacion-de-la-Frontera-OBMICA-FFS-2023.pdf

For his part, the Haitian economist and political scientist Joseph Harold Pierre stressed the importance of binational trade for the economy of both countries. He explained that the informal market is very important to the Haitian economy and that since the two countries grow similar products, they could benefit from exploring international markets together.

HL/ HaitiLibre