During a technical assistance mission held from May 20 to 22, 2025, ECLAC and the Dominican Republic’s National Statistics Office strengthened national capacities for integrating statistical and geospatial information, promoting data interoperability, and advancing the development of a national geospatial information policy. A key outcome was the signing of a cooperation agreement with the National Geographic Institute.

As part of the activities under the United Nations Development Account Project 14, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) conducted a technical assistance mission at the National Statistics Office (ONE) of the Dominican Republic from May 20 to 22, 2025. The initiative aimed to support national efforts to integrate statistical and geospatial information systems.

During the mission, a technical workshop was held for ONE staff, focused on strengthening institutional capacities for managing content on the national geo-statistical portal and operating statistical and geospatial data managers. The training contributed to enhancing the technical team's ability to access, analyze, and publish territory-linked statistical data.

Additionally, an extended workshop was held with the participation of representatives from the National Statistical System (SEN) and the National Geospatial Data Infrastructure (INDG). This activity aimed to develop a baseline of statistical and geospatial datasets available for publication on ONE’s geoportal. In the opening remarks, participants highlighted the strategic importance of inter-institutional collaboration to ensure the sustainability of the portal's contents.

The mission’s agenda also included a technical session with the José Joaquín Hungría Morell National Geographic Institute (IGN-JJHM) to advance the development of a national geospatial information policy. This policy will be aligned with the United Nations Global Statistical Geospatial Framework, particularly its nine strategic pathways. The meeting, held on May 20, focused on drafting the guiding principles of the policy, addressing key concepts such as data relevance, quality, institutional coordination, cooperation, transparency, interoperability, and sustainability.

A key milestone of the mission was the signing of a cooperation agreement between ONE and IGN-JJHM, establishing joint mechanisms for the definition, enhancement, systematization, protection, exchange, and dissemination of statistical and geospatial data, in accordance with the legal mandates of both institutions. The agreement aims to support evidence-based public policy development through integrated data systems.

The signing ceremony took place on Thursday, May 22, at ONE’s headquarters, and was attended by ONE’s Director, Miosotis Rivas, IGN-JJHM Director, Bolívar Troncoso, their respective technical teams, and representatives from ECLAC’s Statistics Division.

The cooperation areas outlined in the agreement are aligned with the five guiding principles of the United Nations Global Statistical Geospatial Framework. They encompass both the direct production of data (statistical and geospatial) and the oversight functions exercised over other public agencies, in line with each institution’s mandates, regulations, and institutional frameworks.