U.S. Congressman Adriano Espaillat Highlights the Initiatives in Which he is Currently Participating in the United States Congress for the Benefit of Dominicans

The Dominican-born Congressman participated in the VI Global Forum Latin America and the Caribbean 2024, which opened this past Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the Center for Economics and Development Policy at Columbia University’s The Kellogg Center.

NEW YORK. Adriano Espaillat, the Senator for the 31st District of New York since 2011, highlighted at the opening ceremony of the VI Global Forum Latin America and the Caribbean 2024, the initiatives in which he is currently working on in the U.S. Congress for the benefit of Dominicans. One of these initiatives is the Open Skies Agreement with the United States. Through this agreement, Dominican airlines would no longer have restrictions to fly to the U.S.

In remarks delivered at the Forum’s formal opening, the Congressman began his presentation by highlighting his decades-long friendship with former President Leonel Fernández, whose Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (Funglode) and its sister institution in the United States, the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), are organizing the Forum. The event will take place on Friday, October 4, at the Center for Development Economics and Policy at Columbia University’s The Kellogg Center.

Espaillat highlighted the contribution this kind of event brings forth, where experts reflect on solid analysis regarding the world situation, the reality of the region, and the opportunities that are present. At the same time, he stressed that Columbia University is located in the District he represents, a community that stands out in the country for being one of the most productive. It currently boasts the largest number of hospitals and beds in medical centers in the country.

Referring to the initiatives in which he participates for the benefit of Dominicans, he said that the Open Skies Agreement with the United States – which will allow Dominican airlines to fly to the U.S. – will have a great impact in reducing the price consumers have to pay for airline tickets

Currently, the signed agreement is in the Constitutional approval phase in order to enter into force. The agreement includes 17 articles and, among other rights, establishes that both the Dominican Republic and the United States may fly over each other’s territories without landing, make stops for non-commercial purposes and offer international air transportation between various points, which include the territory of each country.

Espaillat offered an example of its relevance by pointing out the high cost of airline tickets to travel to and from the Dominican Republic to the United States. Ticket prices average between US$600, US$800 and more dollars.

“Right now, a couple with two children would have to pay six, seven, or eight thousand dollars to travel,” said the congressman, which he described as an “abuse.” He indicated that this has a high impact on the Dominican diaspora.

During his remarks, he referred to the initiative that allowed the creation of the National Emergency and Security Attention System 911, in charge of coordinating emergency and security situations in the Dominican Republic.

He also mentioned another initiative that seeks to promote educational training so that the Dominican Republic may take advantage of the opportunities offered by technological advances, generating high-value products, such as semiconductors.

Another initiative that he highlighted is the one that has managed to improve the training provided to the members of the National Police.

He also expressed an interest in an initiative that would help Dominican teachers by introducing technology to the Dominican educational system.

The Forum

Organized by the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (Funglode) and its sister institution in the United States, the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), in coordination with the Center for Development Economics and Policy (CDEP), the forum has the support of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the Institute of Latin American Studies at Columbia University (ILAS) and the think-tank Global Americans (GA).

Fernández, who has served as president of the Dominican Republic for three terms, opened the Forum, which brings together specialists from the international community to analyze the reality of the region, and its opportunities and challenges.