Recognizing the formation of the Alliance for Development in Democracy and urging the United States to pursue deeper ties with its member countries.

Recognizing the formation of the Alliance for Development in Democracy and urging the United States to pursue deeper ties with its member countries. Whereas, on September 22, 2021, Presidents Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic, Laurentino Cortizo of the Republic of Panama, and Carlos Alvarado of the Republic of Costa Rica met in New York during the opening of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly to form the Alliance for Development in Democracy (referred to in this preamble as the ADD Whereas the member countries of the ADD have committed to work through the ADD to advance institutions that protect the rule of law and individual freedoms; Whereas the ADD promotes regional integration by strengthening cultural, commercial, and demographic ties in the context of free, peaceful, and democratic societies; Whereas the Department of Defense and the Department of State have repeatedly emphasized that the economic encroachment of the Government of the Peoples Republic of China into the Western Hemisphere is coercive and represents an acute threat to the national security of the United States and of allies of the United States in the Western Hemisphere; Whereas, during the years preceding the date of adoption of this resolution, United States trade has doubled with the Republic of Costa Rica and the Republic of Panama, and tripled with the Dominican Republic; Whereas, combined, the three founding members of the ADD represent the third-largest trading partner of the United States in the Western Hemisphere; Whereas, on December 10, 2021, the ADD formed a business council to promote the development of trade, investment, and commerce between the ADD and the United States; Whereas, on June 10, 2022, Canada, a critical ally and strategic partner of the United States, and the members of the ADD issued a joint statement committing to working together to address democratic challenges and to prevent the erosion of democracy in the Western Hemisphere; Whereas, on June 16, 2022, the Republic of Ecuador formally joined the ADD as the fourth member of the ADD; Whereas, on July 25, 2022, the United States and the founding members of the ADD signed a memorandum of understanding to advance the Consultative Dialogue on Supply Chains and Economic Growth between the United States and the ADD to strengthen supply chain resiliency; and Whereas the ADD has sought to comprehensively address the migratory flows that transit though territories within the jurisdiction of the member countries of the ADD: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate (1) congratulates the Dominican Republic, the Republic of Panama, and the Republic of Costa Rica for forming the Alliance for Development in Democracy (referred to in this resolution as the ADD (2) affirms that the ADD provides a counterweight to the growing influence of autocratic and anti-United States forces in the Western Hemisphere; (3) calls on the President to (A) pursue and prioritize engagement with the ADD regarding the full spectrum of the national security and economic interests of the United States in the Western Hemisphere; and (B) deepen regional integration on economic issues including increasing trade, expanding market access, and integrating investment markets throughout the Western Hemisphere, including by pursuing nearshoring, reshoring, and friendshoring initiatives; and (4) calls on the President to use the diplomatic capital of the United States, including the voice and vote of the United States in international organizations, to support member countries of the ADD in promoting policies that (A) enhance the regional integration specified in paragraph (3)(B) by strengthening democratic institutions and promoting economic prosperity; (B) strengthen the critical infrastructure of those countries, such as ports, airports, and other logistical assets to facilitate regional trade; (C) manage migrant flows across the Western Hemisphere and within the jurisdiction of those countries; (D) counter corruption, organized crime, and illegal drug trafficking across the Western Hemisphere and within the jurisdiction of those countries; and (E) strengthen the resiliency of supply chains critical to foreign investment and trade with those countries.

Summary: This resolution congratulates the Dominican Republic, Panama, Costa Rica, and Ecuador for being members of the Alliance for Development in Democracy. (The Dominican Republic, Panama, and Costa Rica created and later Ecuador joined the Alliance for Development in Democracy as an initiative to strengthen democracy and economic growth through common ties.) It also calls on the President to pursue greater engagement and to deepen regional integration with these countries.