VIOTDR and OIM present a new guide to formulate regional planning and territorial development plans

This tool seeks to guide public policies towards a more equitable, resilient and inclusive regional development Santo Domingo. – The Vice Ministry of Territorial Planning and Regional Development of the Ministry of the Presidency (VIOTDR), in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), presented the updated Methodological Guide for the formulation of Regional Territorial Planning and Development Plans (PRODT). This tool seeks to guide public policies towards a more equitable, resilient and inclusive regional development, strengthening risk management in the face of disasters, adaptation to climate change and people-centered planning. The launch event was led by the Vice Minister of Territorial Planning and Regional Development of the Ministry of the Presidency, Domingo Matías, and was attended by representatives of national institutions, agencies of the United Nations System, civil society, and the academic sector.

“With this guide we take a firm step towards territorial planning and regional development that respond to local realities, contribute to reducing inequalities and guide public investment…we want it to be official, binding and flexible, so that local governments and the private sector have a clear route”. –said Vice Minister Domingo Matías during the presentation words.

The publication updates the version issued in 2020, incorporating the most recent legal frameworks and responding to the new challenges linked to climate change, environmental degradation, and human mobility. During the presentation, the vice minister announced that the first territorial plan with this Guide will be implemented in the Yuma region.

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For her part, Alba Goycoechea, Head of Mission of IOM in the Dominican Republic, highlighted: “The value of this instrument lies in the joint work between the VIOTDR and IOM, reflecting the commitment of both institutions to strengthen public policies and ensure that territorial planning is modern and sustainable, putting people at the center and contributing to a fairer, safer and more prepared country in the face of disasters and climate change.”

The Guide establishes a clear sequence of stages and methodological steps that range from institutional organization and territorial diagnosis, to the definition of development models, strategies, management mechanisms and monitoring and evaluation systems. The update was led by a Steering Committee chaired by the VIOTDR, with technical and financial support from the IOM Development Fund (IDF), within the framework of the project "Land Use Planning and Integrated Risk Management to Increase Resilience to Mobility due to Disasters, Environmental Degradation and Climate Change in the Dominican Republic". During the elaboration process, key actors from the public sector, civil society, academia, and international organizations were consulted, who provided valuable observations to consolidate a methodological resource that promotes a more inclusive and sustainable territorial planning. With this collaboration, IOM reaffirms its commitment to provide technical assistance to the Government of the Dominican Republic, reinforcing the capacities of the State and its allies to build a future of more equitable, sustainable, and resilient territorial development.

About the IOM Development Fund (IDF)

The IDF is a mechanism that allows Member States to access resources to strengthen their institutional capacities in migration management. It funds innovative and sustainable initiatives that promote inclusive public policies, the development of technical tools, and the creation of strategic alliances, for the benefit of more effective migration governance.