Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Development

The Organizing Committee of the Workshop “STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF DOMINICAN AQUACULTURE 2010-2015″ has reported that its plans are well advanced. Institutions and public and private agencies linked to national and international production and marketing of fish, shrimp and other seafood in our country have been invited to participate in this important event.

The workshop will be held on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 March in the Conference Room of the Institute of Agricultural and Forestry Research (IDIAF), whose Executive Director, Dr. Rafael Perez Duvergé, has expressed the commitment of this institution to strengthen the development of aquaculture through efforts for training, research and evaluation and technology transfer.

The Organizing Committee is composed of a representative from each of the following institutions and agencies: IDIAF, CONAPROPE, ADOA, CODOPESCA, FAO-RD, University ISA and the TAIWAN Mission.

This unique event will bring together more than 45 professionals from government institutions, local and international universities, international cooperation agencies, consultants, importers and exporters, in hotel and restaurants, supermarkets, congressmen and producers, who will debate the way forward for the next five years, and update the 2007 Plan.

Kentucky State University (KSU) has confirmed the participation of Dr. James Tidwell, Director of the Department of Aquaculture and past president of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS).  He will give a lecture on global aquaculture and strategies for success.  Also Dr. Darryl Jory, a professional with the American Soybean Society (ASA-IM) will give a lecture.  ASA-IM has concluded support arrangements for 2010 with the Dominican Association of aquaculturists, Inc. (ADOA).  

Agriculture Minister Salvador Jimenez is scheduled to give the keynote address, and a paper will be presented by the Deputy Minister of Planning.

Dr. David Stillman, Executive Director of the Public-Private Alliance Foundation (PPAF), will also participate.  PPAF is linked to the United Nations.  Since 2007 PPAF has supported numerous events and activities of  ADOA and the aquaculture sub-sector in the Dominican Republic.  Through the efforts of PPAF, Mr. Aurelio Monreal will make a presentation on alternative energy use in aquaculture.

Discussion and debate will begin in mid-afternoon the first day and continue on the final day of the event, concluding with the presentation of the draft new strategies for 2010-2015.

PARTE DE PRENSA

La Comisión Organizadora del Taller “ESTRATEGIAS PARA EL DESARROLLO DE LA ACUICULTURA DOMINICANA 2010-2015”, informó, que los trabajos para la realización del mismo se encuentran muy avanzados. A este relevante evento han sido invitados a participar, instituciones y organismos públicos y privados nacionales e internacionales vinculados a la producción y comercialización de pescados, camarones y otros mariscos en nuestro país.

 El Taller se realizará los días miércoles 24 y jueves 25 de este mes de marzo, en el Salón de Conferencias del Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales (IDIAF), cuyo Director Ejecutivo, el Dr. Rafael Pérez Duvergé, ha expresado el compromiso de esa institución con el desarrollo acuícola, a través del esfuerzo que se realiza en la capacitación, las investigaciones y validaciones y la transferencia tecnológica para consolidar el mismo.

 La  Comisión Organizadora está compuesta por un representante de cada una de las siguientes instituciones y organismos: IDIAF, CONAPROPE, ADOA, CODOPESCA, FAO-RD, Universidad ISA y MISION TAIWAN.

 Este evento único, reúne a más de 45 profesionales de instituciones del gobierno, universidades locales e internacionales, organismos de cooperación internacional, consultores, importadores y exportadores, sector hotelero y restaurantes, supermercados, congresistas y productores, quienes debatirán sobre el camino a seguir durante los próximos cinco años, y la actualización del Plan 2007.

De la Universidad del Estado de Kentucky (KSU), ha confirmado su participación, el Dr. James Tidwell, Director del Departamento de Acuicultura y pasado Presidente de la Sociedad Mundial de Acuicultura (WAS), quien dictará una conferencia sobre la acuicultura mundial y estrategias para el éxito. También el Dr. Darryl Jory,  profesional de la Sociedad Americana de Soya (ASA-IM), como parte de los acuerdos de apoyo para este año, concertados con la Asociación Dominicana de Acuacultores, Inc. (ADOA). El Dr. Jory tendrá a su cargo una Conferencia Magistral.

Se ha programado un discurso principal que realizaría el Ministro de Agricultura Salvador Jiménez, así como una ponencia la cual estaría a cargo del Viceministro de Planificación.

En adición, participará en el Taller, el Dr. David Stillman, Presidente de la Fundación para la Alianza Pública-Privada (PPAF), enlazada a la ONU, quien desde el año 2007 ha apoyado en numerosos eventos y actividades a la ADOA y a todo el sub-sector acuicultura en la República Dominicana. Por gestiones de la PPAF el profesional Aurelio Monreal hará una presentación sobre la utilización de energía alternativa en la acuicultura.

Las discusiones y debates se iniciarán a media tarde del primer día y continuarán en el día final del evento, concluyendo con la presentación del borrador de las nuevas estrategias 2010-2015.

The work of PPAF in renewable energy, in the Dominican Republic and elsewhere,  has become even more critical because of the earthquake in Haiti.  The Dominican involvement in relief and reconstruction and the Haitian and international concern to “build back better” have put renewable energy into the forefront.  PPAF has established an Advisory Group on Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development to guide its strategy and program, with a major focus on the island of Hispaniola.     

Members of the Advisory Group have a breadth of knowledge and experience, in government, business, academia, finance and non-profit management.  The broad work of PPAF aims toward achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, especially those aimed toward poverty reduction, environmental sustainability and building global partnerships.

Members of the Group may work together on areas of common interest, and also provide guidance individually. 

The first two topics the Group will address are:

(1)  Renewable Energy in the Dominican Response to the Haiti Earthquake Crisis;  

(2)  Renewable Energy in Haitian Post-Earthquake Reconstruction and Development

Members of the group are: 

Philippe Barjon, MS EE, Product Manager Energy Solutions at OpenLink Financial; Energy Director of BioTek Solutions, Inc.

Antonio Bento, PhD, Associate Professor, Applied Economics & Management, Cornell University

Marty Borruso, BS Forensic Chemistry; Chief Executive Officer, Fuel Bio Holdings, LLC

Gerónimo A. Chotin, BS Finance, Manager of Operations and Finance, Dominican Renewables, Inc.

Johanna Mendelson Forman, JD, PhD, Senior Associate, Center for Strategic & International Studies and Executive Director, Jatropha Foundation

Virgilio Malagon, PhD, Adviser to the President, National Energy Commission of the Dominican.Republic

Pablo Reyes, MA, International Policy; Director, Centro de Estudios Estratégicos Latinoamericanos

Robin van Puyenbroeck,  Master of Law/ Lic. Jur.; LLM International Law; Treasurer, UN Association of New York; Member, Carnegie New Leaders Program; international banker

Jean-Marie Wolff, MBA, MA Real Estate; President, SImACT Mining Holding, Inc.; CFO, SImACT, Inc. (Société Immobilière d’Agriculture, de Commerce, et de Tourisme)

Ex-Officio members of the Advisory Group are:

V. Judith Bowman, MBA, PPAF Senior Fellow.  Consultant in finance

Nazia Habib-Mintz, PPAF Fellow, Renewable Energy Program.  Doctoral candidate, Cambridge University. Consultant in renewable energy

Herb Oringel, MBA, PPAF Board Member.  Chair, Energy Advisory Panel, Town of Somers, NY

Amar Shibli, MBA (2011) - Dartmouth, PPAF Associate.

PPAF has posted materials on its website (see Events Section) relating to the Bioenergy Sectoral Meetings held at the National Energy Commission of the Dominican Republic from 2 to 4 December 2009.   This includes the Spanish language report approved by the CNE as well as links to the invitation, photos and videos filmed in the D.R. with Dominican TV Revista 110 and by PPAF.

PPAF ha publicado material en su sitio web (Sección Eventos), relativa a las reuniones sectoriales de Bioenergía, celebrada en la Comisión Nacional de Energía de la República Dominicana 2 a 4 diciembre de 2009. Esto incluye el informe en español, aprobado por el CNE, así como enlaces a la invitación, fotos y vídeos.

The meetings brought out the views of representatives from the public sector, the financial community and companies with pilot field experience, and academics and the private sector — over 55 people in total.  

En las reuniones participaron los representantes del sector público, la comunidad financiera y las empresas con la experiencia sobre el terreno, y los académicos y el sector privado – más de 55 personas en total.

In addition to the National Energy Commission (CNE) as host and leader, the Public-Private Alliance Foundation and ResearchPAYS, Inc. benefited from collaboration and sponsorship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the RJS Group, S.A., and the United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP).  The December discussions expanded upon the recommendations reached at the introductory session held in Santo Domingo in early October, where Grupo Vicini, the Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Organization (IREO) and the Center for Export and Investment of the Dominican Republic (CEI-RD) were sponsors as well.

Además de la Comisión Nacional de Energía (CNE), como anfitrión y líder de la Public-Private Alliance Foundation y ResearchPAYS, Inc. beneficiado de la colaboración y el patrocinio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, el Grupo de RJS, SA, y la United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP). Los debates de diciembre ampliaron las recomendaciones formuladas en la sesión preliminar celebrada en Santo Domingo a principios de octubre, donde el Grupo Vicini, la Organización Intergubernamental de Energías Renovables (IREO) y el Centro de Exportación e Inversión de la República Dominicana (CEI-RD) fueron los patrocinadores también.

In January 2010 David Stillman, PPAF Executive Director, met with Maximo Nicolas, President of the Dominican Aquaculture Association (ADOA) and others to discuss achievements and plans for fish farming in the Dominican Republic.   Dr. James Tidwell, Chair of the Aquaculture Program at Kentucky State University, and past president of the World Aquaculture Society, participated in these meetings.  Rounding out the team were Bill Miller and Dan Mizroch, former Peace Corps Volunteers in the D.R., who have long maintained connections there.  Miller is President of the Kentucky State Division of the United Nations Association of the USA and host and producer of Global Connections TV.  Mizroch is an information technology consultant in New York.   

ADOA and its partners are planning a workshop in March called  “Estrategias para el Desarrollo de la Acuicultura Dominicana 2010-2015“, which will focus on achievements of the earlier strategic planning process and needs going forward.  The previous strategic plan is available under the publications section at http://www.idiaf.org.do .

Nicolas, Stillman and Tidwell participated in a meeting of the organizational committee for the March workshop.  There they met with representatives of the Dominican Institute for Agriculture and Forestry Research (IDIAF), where the workshop will be held, and with the Technical Mission of Taiwan and others.  The group met Ginny Heinsen de Freitas and other senior staff of the Center for Agriculture and Forestry Development, Inc. – Centro Para el Desarrollo Agropecuario y Forestal, Inc. (CEDAF). 

Maximo Nicolas, Romeo Massey

Alberto Rodriguez, Tim McFarren, Stillman, Tidwell, Nicolas

Miller and Mizroch joined the group for a meeting with Romeo Massey, Director of the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic, and his staff, to discuss the potential for Peace Corps volunteers in aquaculture.  The whole group, joined by ADOA member Richard LeClerc and Alicia Mizroch, visited three fish farms in Monte Plata province.

Nicolas, LeClerc, Tidwell, Miller, Stillman, Mizroch

LeClerc, Nicolas, A. Mizroch at a fish hatchery

A New York Times article published on January 29 highlights cooperation between the Dominican Republic and Haiti in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake.   While the article recounts historical resentments, today’s humanitarian interactions are positive.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Ambassador Leo Merores, Permanent Representative of Haiti to the United Nations, and Ambassador Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo, Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations, spoke at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, January 22, 2010.  The topic was: “Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations.” in relation to the Emergency Situation in Haiti.

El Secretario General Ban Ki-moon, Embajador Léo Mérorès, Representante Permanente de Haití ante las Naciones Unidas, y el Embajador Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo, Representante Permanente de la República Dominicana ante las Naciones Unidas, habló en la Asamblea General de Naciones Unidas en Viernes, 22 de enero 2010. El tema fue: “Fortalecimiento de la coordinación de la asistencia humanitaria de emergencia de las Naciones Unidas.” En relación con la situación de emergencia en Haití.

Le Secretaire-General Ban Ki-moon, Ambassadeur Léo Mérorès, Représentant permanent d’Haïti auprès de l’Organisation des Nations Unies, et l’Ambassadeur Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo, Représentant permanent de la République dominicaine auprès de l’Organisation des Nations Unies, a parlé lors de l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies le vendredi 22 Janvier, 2010. Le thème était: «Renforcement de la coordination de l’aide humanitaire d’urgence de l’Organisation des Nations Unies.” Par rapport à la situation d’urgence en Haïti.

Full webcasts of the session are available in two forms:  with all speeches translated into English, and with all speeches in their original languages.

Lleno transmisiones de las sesiones están disponibles en dos formas: con todos los discursos traducidos al Inglés, y con todos los discursos en sus idiomas originales

Webémissions de la session sont disponibles sous deux formes: avec tous les discours traduit en anglais, et avec tous les discours dans leur langue originale

http://webcast.un.org/ramgen/ondemand/ga/64/2010/ga100122am.rm  [ENGLISH]

http://webcast.un.org/ramgen/ondemand/ga/64/2010/ga100122am-orig.rm  [ORIGINAL]

Mr. Ban Ki-Moon – English; Amb. Merores – francais; Amb. Cuello – espanol.

Approximate times:

07:08’ to 21:45’ –         UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon:    

37:44’ to 43:33’ –         Ambassador Leo Merores

01:59 to 02:07’ –         Ambassador Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo

The role of the Dominican Republic as a staging area for aid to Haiti is  expanding.  [See our posting just below.]

As reported on the website of the Presidencia, on January 18, 2010, in Santo Domingo, with the agreement and assistance of the President of the Republic of Haiti, Mr. René Preval, and at the initiative of the President of the Dominican Republic, Mr. Leonel Fernández Reyna, a meeting was held with representatives from the member countries of the CARICOM; OAS, Canada, Spain, United States, Brazil, the United Nations Stabilization Mission (MINUSTAH) in Haiti, the European Union and the World Bank, to examine the best manner to address this dramatic situation. 

The group has decided to hold a preparatory conference based on several existing sources, including  Millennium Development Goals,  the 2008-2010 National Strategy Document on growth and poverty reduction and the World Bank document best known as Haiti: Options and Opportunities for Growth.  The next step is convening of a working group in Canada on January 25. 

For more information, see: http://www.presidencia.gob.do/app/article.aspx?id=11892

PPAF has uploaded a video of Dr. Virgilio Malagon, adviser to the president of the National Energy Commission (CNE), interviewed by Dr. David Stillman, PPAF Executive Director.  On January 15, 2010, they discussed results of the two seminars held in October and December 2009, of which PPAF was a co-sponsor.  The CNE President has declared 2010 to be the “Year of Renewable Energy” and aims to put into service at least 50-75 megawatts from wind power, solar panel and some thermal generation of electricity.   The link for the video is Renewable Energy in the Dominican Republic.

The CNE is formulating a national energy program involving perspectives from government, economic, financial and religious sectors.   Three main points are resources for the CNE, pilot projects and public education.   Malagon and Stillman agreed that PPAF should continue and strengthen its involvement with CNE in these matters.

Renewable Energy – Dr. Virgilio Malagon, CNE Adviser

Dr. Virgilio Malagon, Adviser to the President of the National Energy Commission of the Dominican Republic (Comision Nacional de Energia), discusses (en espanol) the recent October and December conferences on renewable energy.  Dr. David Stillman, PPAF Executive Director, also provides comments (in English).  The interviewer is Enriquillo Rivas, host of Sabado Agropecuario, Revista 110 TV.   The interview took place on 5 December 2009.

 Bioenergy, RJS Group and Ethanol in the D.R.

Lic. Rafael Fernandez, Chairman/CEO, RJS Group Republica Dominicana, S.A., describes his company’s investment and pilot project for ethanol production.  The interviewer is Manuel Gonzalez Tejera, co-host, Sabado Agropecuario, Revista 110 TV.  The interview took place on 21 November 2009.

You can watch these and other videos on PPAF’s YouTube Channel, and subscribe to receive updates automatically.

To support the work of the Public-Private Alliance Foundation, go to the Donate page on the PPAF website.