The Dominican Republic joined the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization on Thursday as the group's 52nd member state.

Ali Mchumo, chair of INBAR's Board of Trustees, raised the Dominican Republic's national flag alongside Jose Julio Gomez Beato, the country's ambassador to China, during a ceremony in Beijing.

INBAR is the first intergovernmental organization headquartered in China. It promotes the value, development and use of bamboo and rattan resources to support global sustainable development.

Cheng Hong, chief engineer at China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration, said the Dominican Republic's membership would benefit its own sustainable development and utilization of bamboo and rattan, while also creating new opportunities for bilateral cooperation with China in forestry and grassland sectors.

Last year, INBAR signed a memorandum of understanding with China's National Development and Reform Commission to strengthen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Cheng said the administration is committed to enhancing communication and collaboration with all member states under the Belt and Road and Global Development Initiative frameworks. He also underscored the importance of implementing the "Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic" initiative to promote green and low-carbon development.

Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, chair of INBAR's Council and Nepal's minister of forests and environment, welcomed the Dominican Republic on behalf of the council. He urged member states to work together to elevate the organization and contribute to a greener planet for future generations.

Aime Stanislas Etoka-Beka, education counselor at the Republic of the Congo's embassy in China, praised INBAR's efforts to raise awareness about sustainable development. "Bamboo represents the rational use of resources," he said.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo joined INBAR in 2023 and has been working with other members to promote bamboo and rattan as natural alternatives to plastic.

"We are learning from China's experience in ecological civilization and environmental protection," Etoka-Beka said. "There is much we can share and learn together."

Liu Zixuan contributed to this story.