EcoHarmony RD strengthens biodiversity conservation in the Dominican Republic

• Sustainability

The Dominican Republic has taken another step toward strengthening the protection of its natural heritage with the launch of EcoHarmony RD, a project designed to expand biodiversity conservation beyond traditional protected areas while promoting a sustainable development model based on more efficient natural resource management.

The initiative was formalized through the signing of an agreement between the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Its primary objective is to strengthen Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), an internationally recognized conservation approach that complements protected area systems and helps preserve ecosystems of high ecological value.

The project comes at a crucial time for the country as it seeks to advance its international commitments on biodiversity conservation, climate action and sustainable development, while protecting its terrestrial and marine ecosystems from increasing environmental pressures.

OECMs represent a relatively recent conservation strategy within international environmental policy. Unlike national parks or officially designated nature reserves, these areas were not necessarily established primarily for conservation purposes, but their governance and management deliver effective and long-term biodiversity conservation outcomes.

The concept was officially recognized under the Convention on Biological Diversity through Decision 14/8, adopted in 2018. In addition to protecting species and ecosystems, OECMs also acknowledge the importance of conserving ecosystem services and, where appropriate, the cultural, spiritual, social and economic values associated with these areas.

These conservation measures may include privately owned land, community-managed areas, sustainable agricultural landscapes, Indigenous territories, responsibly managed forests and marine areas where human activities remain compatible with biodiversity conservation.

One of the main objectives of EcoHarmony RD is to improve the country’s capacity to identify, recognize and manage these conservation areas while strengthening environmental governance and coordination among the institutions involved.

The project also includes the development of technical and institutional capacities, the mobilization of financial resources to ensure the long-term sustainability of conservation actions, and the exchange of knowledge and best practices among public institutions, international organizations, universities, local communities and the private sector.

Authorities believe this approach will significantly expand the portion of the national territory that effectively contributes to biodiversity conservation without the need to establish new protected areas under traditional conservation models.

One of the cornerstones of EcoHarmony RD is its contribution to the global 30×30 target, established under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted during the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The target calls for at least 30% of the world’s terrestrial, inland water and marine ecosystems to be effectively conserved and managed by 2030.

OECMs play a key role in achieving this objective because they recognize many landscapes that have historically provided significant environmental benefits despite not being part of the official protected area network.

During the signing ceremony, Environment Minister Paíno Henríquez and UNDP Resident Representative Ana María Díaz emphasized that biodiversity conservation is essential for strengthening the country’s climate resilience and supporting sustainable economic development.

Both officials highlighted that protecting ecosystems not only safeguards wildlife and plant species but also contributes to water security, soil conservation, carbon sequestration, coastal protection against extreme weather events and the well-being of communities that depend directly on natural resources.

They also agreed that the project’s success will depend on strong collaboration among public institutions, academia, environmental organizations, the private sector and local communities, promoting participatory and long-term environmental management.

The agreement was signed during the country’s First Ocean Forum, held at the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC). The event brought together representatives from government agencies, international organizations, research institutions, universities and civil society to discuss the challenges of protecting the Dominican Republic’s marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

Participants also discussed the need to integrate biodiversity conservation into national development policies by promoting economic activities that are compatible with environmental protection while strengthening climate change adaptation strategies.

The Dominican Republic is recognized as one of the Caribbean’s richest countries in terms of biodiversity, thanks to the diversity of its forests, mountains, wetlands, coral reefs, mangroves and coastal ecosystems. However, urban expansion, deforestation, pollution, invasive species and the impacts of climate change continue to pose significant challenges to the conservation of this natural heritage.

Through EcoHarmony RD, authorities aim to strengthen the protection of these ecosystems by adopting a broader and more inclusive conservation approach capable of recognizing the environmental value of territories that have not traditionally been included within the country’s protected area system.

The implementation of the project is expected to improve institutional coordination, encourage greater community participation in environmental management and create new opportunities to conserve biodiversity while supporting sustainable development. As a result, EcoHarmony RD is emerging as one of the Dominican Republic’s leading environmental initiatives, helping the country advance toward its international conservation commitments while protecting its natural resources for future generations.