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Statement on the Resolution on the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti to the UN Economic and Social Council

Thank you Mr. President,

As Chair of the ECOSOC Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, it is my great honour and pleasure to introduce the annual resolution on the “Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti”. This resolution welcomes the Ad Hoc Advisory Group’s annual report on Haiti and the recommendations contained therein. It also decides to extend the mandate of the Group for another year. Beyond the cosponsors already named in draft L. 28, I am pleased to note that Argentina, the Bahamas, Belize, Benin, Brazil, Colombia, France, Haiti, Peru, Spain, El Salvador, Mexico and the United States have also cosponsored this resolution.

Mr. President,

 During our annual visits to Washington and to Haiti, our Group witnessed the important efforts undertaken by all Haitians in order to ensure their future development and well-being. The conclusion of the recent elections and the installation of a new government represent an accomplishment and a genuine opportunity for Haiti to make tangible progress on the path towards development. There is a window of opportunity that must be seized by the new government and the international community to ensure that the country can transition from a dynamic of humanitarian assistance to one of sustainable development. This window of opportunity exists but it remains fragile. Haiti continues to be confronted by a multitude of challenges which affect its socio-economic development. Haiti, with the ongoing support of the UN and its international partners must therefore act quickly and efficiently to address these difficulties.

As part of its recommendations, the Group notably encourages the Government of Haiti to assume the full leadership and ownership of its national development and to undertake urgent reforms in key sectors such as public administration and justice. The Group recommends that the international community continue to extend more stable and predictable funding to Haiti and ensure that its efforts are coordinated and well aligned with the priorities set by the Government of Haiti. Finally, the Group encourages the UN to improve its coordination and to act as one. The UN presence on the ground should be reviewed in order to determine the new country team composition that is necessary for the transition to a mission focused on long-term development needs. This may imply withdrawing some entities and missions, and bringing in new ones.

I would also like to note the following three elements.

First, the AHAG this year focused on the topic of sustainable economic development. This is a crucial element in order to ensure the future prosperity and stability of Haiti. The country clearly has immense economic potential but more must be done in order to ensure that this potential is truly unlocked and maximized. This is the only way for it to achieve the objectives of Agenda 2030.  

Second, although outside of the AHAG’s mandate, the transition of the UN peacekeeping presence from MINUSTAH to MINUJUSTH was often raised by interlocutors. It is clear that this transition must be done in a responsible and inclusive manner and the UN must fight the impression that with the end of MINUSTAH, it is the entire UN presence that is leaving Haiti.

Third, the question of the UN’s response to cholera was also raised many times. The cholera epidemic not only remains a barrier to Haiti’s future prosperity but it is also associated by many with the UN’s presence on the ground. An appropriate response and implementation of the Secretary General’s New Approach on Cholera is therefore vital.

In closing, Mr. President, allow me to also take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of the interlocutors we met during our visits to Washington and to Haiti. I want to express my Group’s profound appreciation for the support provided by Special Representative of the Secretary General Sandra Honoré and all of the UN team in Haiti. I must also mention the invaluable support and advice provided by the ECOSOC team here in New York without whom our Group could not accomplish its mandate.

Thank you.

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