What You Need to Know
- Minister Uma Kumaran made her first visit to the Caribbean since becoming Minister for the Overseas Territories, Caribbean and Global Technology
- discussions in the Dominican Republic focused on economic growth, regional security, clean energy and stability in Haiti
- the programme included meetings with government ministers, business leaders, international partners and organisations supporting women and girls
The visit is the Minister’s first official visit to the Caribbean since taking up her role as Minister for the Overseas Territories, Caribbean and Global Technology.
The Minister arrived in the Dominican Republic from the Turks and Caicos Islands. There, she met local leaders and discussed regional security, migration and climate resilience. Discussions also covered the impact of instability in Haiti on Caribbean nations and UK Overseas Territories.
The visit strengthens the UK’s partnership with the Dominican Republic. Discussions cover shared priorities including infrastructure, investment, climate resilience, women and girls, and stability in Haiti.
During the first days of the visit, Minister Kumaran met senior Dominican government ministers, including Foreign Minister Víctor Bisonó. Discussions focused on economic co-operation, regional security and opportunities to strengthen the UK-Dominican Republic partnership.
In the following days, Minister will also meet representatives from the United Nations, security partners and regional organisations. Discussions will focus on security and stability in Haiti, where gang violence continues to drive humanitarian needs and migration pressures across the region, including in UK Overseas Territories.
The UK is working with partners to address these challenges. This includes support for human rights in Haiti, efforts to tackle organised crime and trafficking, and international initiatives to help create the conditions for long-term stability and credible elections.
The UK recently announced £5.6 million (US$7.5 million) over 2 years to support human rights compliance by the Gang Suppression Force. The programme will be delivered through the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Minister Uma Kumaran said:
The UK and the Dominican Republic are close partners, working together to support stability in Haiti, strengthen regional security, and unlock opportunities for growth and investment.
I am delighted to be making my first visit to the Caribbean as Minister for the region.
From supporting clean energy projects and creating opportunities for women and girls, to strengthening regional security and backing international efforts in Haiti, this visit is about turning our shared priorities into practical co-operation that delivers results.
Alongside political and security discussions, the programme highlights the UK’s role as a partner for economic growth and infrastructure development.
The Minister will meet government and business leaders to discuss opportunities in clean energy, infrastructure financing and project delivery. This includes engagement with UK company Mott MacDonald and Dominican energy partners involved in major infrastructure and energy projects.
This work has already helped expand partnerships and create opportunities for future hydropower rehabilitation projects. These projects can support growth and jobs in both the Dominican Republic and the UK.
The Dominican Republic continues to face challenges on the rights of women and girls. Around 32% of women aged 20 to 24 entered marriage or a union before the age of 18. Around 2-thirds of women have experienced violence during their lifetime.
The visit will also highlight the UK’s commitment to supporting women and girls. Minister Kumaran will visit UK-supported programmes that help girls and young women access new opportunities and tackle harmful practices such as child marriage and early unions.
She will meet women and girls benefiting from UK-backed initiatives, including the Girls First Fund, to which the UK has contributed more than £2 million.
The programme will also include discussions on climate resilience and environmental sustainability. It will highlight UK-Dominican Republic co-operation on supporting sustainable development and strengthening community resilience.
The visit will conclude with discussions on Haiti and regional security. These will include meetings with United Nations officials, counter-narcotics partners and organisations working to tackle organised crime, illicit trafficking and instability across the wider Caribbean region.