Dominican Republic to assume CELAC presidency in challenging times

he Dominican Republic will take over the rotating presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) from Ecuador, on Wednesday, during the IV CELAC Summit in Quito.

At least 21 heads of state have confirmed their participation, although Argentina's Mauricio Macri has pulled out for unspecified medical reasons.

Under the leadership of President Danilo Medina, the Dominican Republic will face an agenda to reduce poverty and inequality across the 33-member group.

This theme leads the five pillars of the "Agenda 2020", tabled by Costa Rica and Ecuador, which held the presidency in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

The other pillars are education, technology, innovation, the environment and climate change; infrastructure and connectivity; and financing for development.

In an interview with Xinhua, Santiago Garcia, an international analyst from the Institute of Higher National Studies (IAEN), said CELAC is still building a coherent political and dialogue process in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Furthermore, he believes that a full consensus has still not been reached about Agenda 2020 "due to the region's great political, ideological, social and economic diversity. However, this does not prevent countries from establishing a vision which, if not fully shared by all members, does not exclude anyone."

"Certain differences should be maintained but common ground must be sought in priority areas," said Garcia about the main challenges facing the Dominican Republic.

According to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), around 165 million people live in poverty across the region, with 69 million living in extreme poverty.

Between 2002 and 2014, the poverty rate was reduced from around 19.3 percent to 12 percent.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

In terms of foreign relations, the Dominican Republic will also have to follow up on Ecuador's attempts to advance ties between CELAC and the likes of China, Russia, South Korea, India, Turkey and the EU, said Garcia.

"This theme will be important going forward as it makes more sense for CELAC countries to act together in terms of foreign relations," he added.

REGIONAL ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES

The bloc is also facing a stiff economic crisis due to the lowering in raw material prices and the deceleration of economies like Brazil and Venezuela.

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa told the press last week that CELAC should focus on common economic problems, instead of seeking to accommodate the arrival of right-wing governments to power.

"Economic problems bring political problems, causing mediocrity across Latin America. For me, the arrival of governments with a different political orientation is a major danger," added Correa.

However, certain analysts have criticized Correa's position, stating that it is necessary for CELAC to focus on what unites the region and that different governments can still find common interests in creating a fairer and more equal society. Endite