Dominican Republic strengthens its public governance with new OECD integrity study
The Dominican Republic has taken a significant step toward consolidating its institutional transparency following the presentation of the Integrity Study, a comprehensive analysis conducted jointly by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the General Directorate of Ethics and Government Integrity (DIGEIG). This report not only evaluates the current state of public administration but also outlines a roadmap to optimize governance in the country.
During the official ceremony, led by President Luis Abinader, Elsa Pilichowski, Director of Public Governance at the OECD, highlighted that the country is adopting cutting-edge practices at an international level, consolidating an institutional foundation that will allow for the deepening of integrity strategies in the coming years.
True transformation occurs when integrity ceases to be merely an obligation and becomes a culture.
Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic
Towards results-based public management
The president emphasized that the country is in a crucial phase where recommendations must be translated into tangible reforms. The study addresses integrity from a systemic perspective, covering everything from institutional architecture and codes of conduct to citizen participation and control mechanisms.
Among the key recommendations issued by the OECD to strengthen the Dominican system, the following stand out:
- Improve protection protocols for whistleblowers.
- Integrate risk management at all administrative levels.
- Strengthen investigation and sanction processes.
- Foster active participation from civil society, the private sector, and academia in the oversight of public management.
The Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza, stressed that the responsibility for integrity is shared. According to the official, every public servant is a key actor in this process, and his ministry will be in charge of accompanying the DIGEIG in the execution of these guidelines to ensure that the recommendations do not remain on paper.
For her part, Dr. Milagros Ortiz Bosch, head of the DIGEIG, pointed out that this approach with the OECD is a strategic opportunity to modernize the State and rebuild citizen trust, a fundamental pillar for national development.
This study aligns directly with the objectives of the National Public Integrity Strategy (ENIP) 2026-2036, which seeks to institutionalize these improvements through clear indicators and defined responsibilities for each state entity.
