Sargassum Financing: A US$6.3M EIB/EU package will help Dominican MSMEs collect, transport, store and sustainably use sargassum, shifting the country from emergency cleanup to a business-ready value chain. Mining Oversight: Barrick’s Pueblo Viejo completed its 59th Participatory Environmental Monitoring exercise, continuing quarterly water, air and noise checks with communities and experts since 2012. Tourism Upgrades: Puerto Plata has started a major modernization of the historic Cable Car, replacing the system with a higher-capacity double-cable tramway and new safety, control and electrical systems. Diplomacy & Trade Links: The Dominican Republic honored outgoing French Ambassador Sonia Barbry with the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella, citing cooperation in the economy, transport and clean energy. Cruise Growth: Port Samaná’s new cruise terminal is set to begin operations Nov. 24, with MSC Opera as the first ship and plans for more calls through December. Maritime Strategy: The Dominican Shipping Agents Association is pushing for a long-term national maritime strategy to guide ports, logistics, talent and sustainability over the next 20–30 years. Regional Climate Planning: Experts say territorial planning and risk management must be integrated into climate adaptation, with local-level tools and early warning systems highlighted. Haiti Transit Pressure: Haiti reinforced its ban on third-country goods transiting through the Dominican Republic, while Dominican customs has been tightening traceability and supervision for transit shipments.