IDB Opens New Dominican Republic Office with Highest Environmental Certification

• IDB President Mauricio Claver-Carone, Dominican Republic Vice President Raquel Peña and First Lady Raquel Arbaje inaugurate new IDB Representative Office.
• Building is first in Dominican Republic and first IDB building to receive LEED Platinum certification, which recognizes highest standards of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
  

SANTO DOMINGO - Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) President Mauricio Claver-Carone today inaugurated the Bank's new Representative Office in the Dominican Republic at an event attended by Vice President Raquel Peña; First Lady Raquel Arbaje; Dominican Republic Finance Minister José Manuel Vicente; IDB Alternate Executive Director for Mexico and the Dominican Republic Ernesto Selman; IDB Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer Jessica Bedoya; IDB Vice President for Countries Richard Martínez; IDB Country Representative Katharina Falkner-Olmedo, among others.

The building, classified as a historic site by the country's National Directorate of Monumental Heritage, has attained the LEED Platinum certification, which recognizes the highest standards of energy efficiency and environmentally sustainable design.

"The new IDB premises in the Dominican Republic are a reflection of our commitment to the country and to the environment, and of our vision for sustainable development across the entire region," President Claver-Carone said. "With this new building, we have sought to create a space that clearly shows who we are, what we do, and why we do it."

The new Representative Office is the first building in the country and the first IDB office to receive the internationally recognized certification, based on its optimization of energy, the use of recycled materials, and smart water consumption, among other attributes that contribute to its environment-friendly performance.

The building measures environmental impact and indoor air quality. Its optimized construction and design include solar panels and ample inner courtyards to take full advantage of natural light and reduce electricity use. Other features include recycling points, facilities for people with different physical disabilities, and a vegetable garden.

The building's indoor spaces reflect the Dominican identity through art, including murals by local painters and photographs of projects developed by the IDB. Each room in the building is named after a different Dominican province.

About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public- and private-sector clients throughout the region.