Santo Domingo. The Dominican Republic has been officially removed from the FAO Hunger Map, having reduced the prevalence of undernourishment to less than 2.5% between 2023 and 2025, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
President Luis Abinader highlighted this achievement during the country’s World Food Day commemoration, where FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu commended the Dominican Republic’s advancements in combating hunger. He noted the government’s commitment to enhancing food security policies as a key factor in this progress.
Qu described the nation’s removal from the Hunger Map as an extraordinary accomplishment, attributing it to the collaborative efforts of the government, food producers, civil society, and both public and private sectors. He stressed that the Dominican experience illustrates that hunger can be alleviated through robust political dedication, consistent public policies, and inter-institutional cooperation. He encouraged other nations dealing with food security issues to use the Dominican Republic as a potential model.
During the ceremony, President Abinader awarded Director-General Qu the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella under Decree No. 753-26, recognizing his global contributions to improving food systems and addressing hunger. Additionally, FAO representative in the Dominican Republic, Rodrigo Castañeda, received the Heraldic Order of Christopher Columbus in the grade of Grand Officer, under Decree No. 731-26, for his role in promoting food security and fostering international cooperation.
Qu Dongyu emphasized the need for increased investment in innovation, agricultural science, and technology, as well as stronger international collaboration to enhance food production and accessibility.
The World Food Day event underscored the Dominican Republic’s ongoing commitment to food security, aiming to boost agricultural output and maintain the achievements that led to its removal from the FAO Hunger Map.
