Dominican Republic to host 2026 Global Forum on Water Scarcity in Agriculture

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic has been selected to host the Global Forum on Water Scarcity in Agriculture in March 2026. This major international event will focus on strategies to tackle global food production challenges amid decreasing water availability. The announcement was made by the National Irrigation Technology Directorate (TNR) and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) during the 2025 World Water for Food Conference held in Lincoln, Nebraska.

FAO expert Ruhiza Jean Boroto emphasized the forum’s significance as a global platform to address water scarcity in agriculture and noted that this will be the first time it is hosted in the Americas. Claudio Caamaño Vélez, executive director of TNR, reaffirmed the Dominican government’s commitment to addressing water-related challenges, calling the crisis a historic threat comparable to pandemics and armed conflict. He also highlighted the creation of the TNR in 2021 as part of national efforts to improve water management.

Patricia Jiménez of FAO confirmed that the 2026 forum will gather around 2,000 participants from over 80 countries, including leaders from government, academia, and the private sector. Punta Cana was noted as the preferred host location, praised for its infrastructure and global connectivity.