S/PV.10066 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Barbados and Haiti to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. At this meeting, the Security Council will hear a briefing by Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations in her capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) concerning Haiti. I now give the floor to Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett. Mrs. Rodrigues-Birkett: It is an honour for me to address the members of the Security Council in accordance with sub-paragraph 19 (e) of resolution 2653 (2022), by which the Council decided that the Committee should report on its work on an annual basis. In my statement, I will provide a brief overview of the work of the Committee that has been undertaken since my most recent report to the Council, on 11 December 2024 (see S/PV.9808). During the reporting period, and since the appointment of the Bureau of the Committee on 29 May, the Committee held four informal consultations and one briefing to Member States. On 5 June, the Committee heard a presentation by the Coordinator of the Panel of Experts on the programme of work of the Panel, submitted pursuant to resolution 2752 (2024), and a presentation concerning its interim report (S/2025/356), submitted pursuant to paragraph 10 of resolution 2752 (2024). On 25 July, the Committee heard a presentation by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). On 15 September, the Committee heard a presentation by the Coordinator of the Panel of Experts concerning its final report (S/2025/597), submitted pursuant to paragraph 10 of resolution 2752 (2024), and discussed the findings and recommendations contained in the report. On 28 October, the Committee heard a briefing by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, on behalf of the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, pursuant to paragraph 5 of resolution 2664 (2022). On 12 November, the Committee held a briefing to all Member States during which the Coordinator of the Panel of Experts provided an overview of the main findings and recommendations contained in the Panel’s final report (S/2025/597). The Permanent Mission of Haiti to the United Nations and the delegations of other States in the region participated in the briefing. The Panel of Experts appointed pursuant to resolution 2752 (2024) provided its interim and final reports to the Committee on 3 March and 20 August, respectively. The reports were subsequently transmitted to the Security Council on 10 June and 25 September, respectively, and issued as documents of the Council (S/2025/356 and S/2025/597). In addition, the Panel submitted three confidential periodic updates to the Committee during its mandate. These reports provided very useful insights into the situation in Haiti and on several individuals who could be responsible for or complicit in, or having directly or indirectly engaged in actions that threaten the peace, security or stability of the country. The mandate of the Panel was extended until 16 November 2026 pursuant to resolution 2794 (2025), and experts were appointed by the Secretary-General on 17 November 2025. Resolution 2752 (2024), which renewed the sanctions regime on Haiti for a period of one year in October 2024, also directed the Committee to consider expeditiously the update of the list of individuals and entities designated pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022), taking into account the reports submitted by the Panel of Experts. In this regard, on 8 July, the Committee added two entities, and on 17 October, through its resolution 2794 (2025), the Security Council added two individuals to the list. There are currently nine individuals and two entities on the sanctions list of the Committee. The Security Council has continued to strengthen the United Nations sanctions regime for Haiti, in particular provisions on the arms embargo, through successive resolutions, including resolution 2794 (2025). The Committee will continue to work closely with the Panel of Experts, UNODC and relevant Member States towards the effective implementation of the sanctions measures, namely, the assets freeze, travel ban and territorial arms embargo. I believe that we are at a critical juncture in the development and implementation of the 2653 sanctions regime, which, together with other necessary measures, can help Haiti address the long-standing drivers of instability and violence, as part of its efforts to address the multifaceted crises in the country. In this regard, I remain confident that the Committee will be able to fully perform its role in a spirit of consensus and collegiality. Finally, I would like to thank Member States for their engagement with the Committee and for participating in meetings of the Committee this year. I encourage Member States to continue to strengthen their cooperation with the Panel of Experts and the Committee.

I thank Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett for her briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

The United States extends its appreciation to Guyana, which has diligently led the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) concerning Haiti while on the Council. We appreciate its efforts as Chair of the Committee to further peace and stability in Haiti. The United States also appreciates the Panel of Experts’ efforts to provide detailed reporting and analysis on Haiti’s security, political and humanitarian crisis, informing international efforts to address gang violence and support stability. We remain seized of the crisis in Haiti, especially the expansion of terrorist gang control. Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif’s growing violence must be stopped. We applaud the Council’s decisive action in the most recent Haiti sanctions renewal to designate Kempes Sanon and Dimitri Herard (see resolution 2794 (2025)). These individuals played a significant role in bolstering the criminal networks and gangs in Haiti. Nevertheless, the United States calls for sanctions against additional enablers of insecurity. We call on our colleagues on the Council to provide full and unqualified support for these designations as we move forward. Finally, the United States welcomes the Council’s urging of the Haitian authorities to report annually on the implementation of the sanctions regime to further promote accountability. The United States remains committed to working with Haiti, regional partners and the international community to facilitate peace, security and prosperity for Haiti’s future.

At the outset, we thank Guyana for its report on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) concerning Haiti. On behalf of Panama and Ambassador Alfaro de Alba, we would like to highlight the firm and constructive leadership of Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Burkett, whose dedication, strategic vision and commitment have been key to effectively guiding the work of this important subsidiary body. As has been reiterated on numerous occasions, the effectiveness of sanctions is directly linked to the implementation thereof. In the case of Haiti, it is only through rigorous implementation that it will be possible, once and for all, to stem the illicit flow of weapons, which continues to fuel violence and deepen the crisis in the country. Moreover, we cannot ignore the symbiotic relationship that has clearly been documented between certain elements of the economic and political elites and the gangs that are now holding the sisterly country of Haiti hostage. Panama believes that addressing that aspect is vital to ensuring that the sanctions regime has a real and lasting impact. Panama will continue working constructively with the 2653 Committee and in the Council to support and strengthen the implementation of the sanctions regime and contributing to efforts aimed at restoring security and stability in the sisterly Republic of Haiti.

China thanks Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) concerning Haiti, for the briefing. We welcome the presence of the representatives of Haiti and Barbados at today’s meeting. The Security Council sanctions mechanism is a key measure to curb gang violence and crimes in Haiti and improve its security situation. Over the past year, Guyana, as Chair of the Sanctions Committee, has conscientiously fulfilled the mandate and led the extensive efforts of the Committee and the Panel of Experts, which At present, gang violence in Haiti remains rampant, and the influx of illicit weapons has yet to be stemmed. China is ready to continue working closely with Council members and the parties concerned in promoting the effective implementation of the Security Council resolutions on Haiti-related sanctions. In particular, we call on the parties concerned to take concrete measures for better border control to prevent arms trafficking. The Committee and the Panel of Experts should strengthen monitoring in this regard. A holistic approach is imperative to tackle the multiple crises facing Haiti. It is incumbent on all parties in Haiti to strengthen unity, demonstrate a sense of responsibility and push for substantive progress in the political process without delay, thus paving the way for improving the chaotic situation there. China remains committed to working constructively with the international community to help to lift Haiti out of the crisis at an early date.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the African members of the Security Council plus one (A3+), namely Algeria, Guyana, Somalia and my own country, Sierra Leone. I welcome the participation of the representatives of Haiti and Barbados in this meeting. The A3+ thanks Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett in her capacity as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) concerning Haiti for the report on the Committee’s work in 2025 and takes note of the work accomplished by the 2653 sanctions Committee over the past year. We wish to recognize and commend the commitment and professionalism of the Chair and members of the Committee, the Panel of Experts and the secretariat team who have all been instrumental in advancing the 2653 Committee’s work. We also extend our appreciation to the Permanent Mission of Haiti, the Member States of the region, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for their continued engagement with the Committee. Even as we acknowledge the positive strides made over the past year, we are mindful of the fact that illicit arms and ammunition continue to flow into Haiti, driving instability and violence in the country. In this vein, the A3+ continues to underline the importance of strengthening compliance with the sanctions measures, particularly the arms embargo, and urges all Member States to ensure full adherence to the provisions of the sanctions regime. We also continue to urge all Member States to cooperate with the Panel of Experts. Through their detailed reports, the panel keeps the Committee informed about the situation in Haiti, including detailed findings on gang activities, armed trafficking routes and trends, illicit financial flows and ongoing challenges when enforcing the sanction regime. By sharing information and working closely with the Panel, Member States can support the Committee’s mandate to provide timely and accurate data and insight into the implementation of sanctions measures on the ground. The A3+ also calls for a united effort by Haitian stakeholders, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, the UNODC and other relevant bodies to continue raising awareness of the existence and relevance of the territorial arms embargo on Haiti. In addition, we urge Member States to enforce sanctions measures, as appropriate, against the backdrop of renewed momentum to stabilize democracy and strengthen security in Haiti, including the deployment of the fifth contingent of Kenyan troops to the Gang Suppression Force. The sanctions Committee continues to have an important role to play. By maintaining a focus on the effective implementation of sanctions measures and working in tandem with other relevant agencies, the Committee can help to ensure that progress towards long-term peace and security in Haiti is sustained and meaningful.

I now give the floor to the representative of Haiti.

I would like to acknowledge the Slovenian presidency of the Security Council for the month of December and wish you, Madam President, every success in your duties. We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the other members of the Council whose terms of office expire this December. The Haitian Government pays special attention to the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) concerning Haiti and the Group of Experts in their coordination with the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Multinational Security Support Mission, which will soon be transformed into the Gang Suppression Force. It is hoped that their joint efforts, combined with those of the Republic of Haiti, will help to better understand the complex links between arms trafficking gangs and the financing of criminal activities, thereby enabling the dismantling of the networks that support these activities. We once again welcome the publication of the reports of the Panel of Experts on Haiti established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022). The reports are an important tool for informing the Council’s deliberations and improving the implementation of the sanctions regime. In this regard, we encourage the sharing of any relevant information that could enhance the effectiveness of this mechanism. During our previous statement on this same subject (see S/PV.10022), the Haitian delegation emphasized the importance of rigorous and consistent implementation of the sanctions regime. Today, without revisiting these fundamental points, I would like to share a few additional observations in the light of recent developments. The Republic of Haiti reaffirms its commitment to peace, stability and the fight against impunity and corruption. The sanctions regime established by the Security Council under resolution 2653 (2022) remains, in this regard, an essential lever among the tools put in place by the international community to respond to the armed violence and criminal economy that continue to threaten millions of lives in my country. However, I would like to focus on two elements that we consider crucial to the effectiveness of the sanctions regime, the first being effective compliance with the arms embargo. Among the measures provided for in the sanctions regime against Haiti, the arms embargo remains the most important, in view of the multidimensional crisis facing the country. Recent reports, notably those of the UNODC and the Group of Experts, continue to show that illicit arms trafficking to Haiti remains a worrisome reality. These analyses highlight the existence of well-organized transnational networks for the movement of arms from their port of departure to Haitian territory, as well as the persistent challenges associated with border surveillance. This observation leads us to reiterate that the effectiveness of the embargo cannot be measured solely by its legal framework, but above all by its practical implementation. Haiti attaches particular importance to the strict, consistent and transparent application of this measure. A credible embargo requires robust mechanisms for controlling borders, ports and international supply chains. We also emphasize the need for enhanced technical support to improve the country’s maritime, aerial and land surveillance capabilities, particularly at the most vulnerable transit points. In this context, we hope that the security support measures currently in place will contribute to better border control. We must reiterate, once again, that the weapons fuelling violence in Haiti are not produced on our territory. They enter the country through transnational criminal networks. The fight against this phenomenon therefore requires collective responsibility. It requires enhanced regional and intergovernmental cooperation, including the sharing of real-time training, the coordination of interdiction operations, the tracking of weapons and the concerted prosecution of the networks involved. There can be no lasting peace without development — we are obliged to repeat this from time to time — and there can be no development without peace. This reality requires Haiti and its partners to take a comprehensive and integrated approach to the current crisis. The response to insecurity cannot be exclusively coercive. It must be supported by sustained efforts to promote social and economic development, particularly in the most vulnerable areas, which have long been characterized by the absence of the State and have become recruitment centres for armed gangs. The implementation of credible programmes for the reintegration and empowerment of young people is a central element of any stabilization strategy in this regard. Establishing security and stability in Haiti will necessarily require taking these social and economic factors into account. The sanctions regime must also be part of a broader strategy to strengthen national capacities for institution-building and economic recovery. It should not be seen as an end in itself, but as a tool in the service of a broader objective — the sustainable restoration of State authority and the dignity of the Haitian people. Restoring peace and stability in Haiti requires, above all, resolving the serious security crisis facing my country. This means cutting off the supply of arms and ammunition to the gangs and their allies. The Haitian authorities cannot achieve this alone. They need active, sustained and responsible cooperation from all Members of the United Nations. Finally, allow me to thank the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as a whole, but also certain countries specifically, such as Guyana, for their unreserved support for the efforts of the Republic of Haiti and the international community to restore security in Haiti. It goes without saying that my delegation supports the statement to be made shortly by the honourable Ambassador of Barbados on behalf of CARICOM.

I now give the floor to the representative of Barbados.

I have the honour to deliver today’s statement on behalf of the 14 member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). We thank Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, in her capacity as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) concerning Haiti, for the comprehensive report on the Committee’s work this year, and we commend the members of the Committee and of the Panel of Experts for their hard and dedicated work. CARICOM remains deeply concerned about the security crisis in Haiti. This year has been marked by a territorial expansion of armed gangs, which are controlling large swaths of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and moving into rural areas. In addition, what remains alarming is the illicit trafficking of arms and ammunition, which continues unabated. This brings to bear the findings of the latest report of the Panel of Experts (S/2025/597), which highlights consistent failures to enforce the arms embargo imposed under the sanctions regime. In the light of these findings, CARICOM reaffirms its strong support for the full and resolute implementation of the sanctions regime established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022). We also appreciate the renewal of the sanctions regime pursuant to resolution 2794 (2025), which preserves critical measures, including the arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze, and extends the mandate of the Panel of Experts for another 13 months. In this regard we urge all Member States to uphold their obligations under this regime, including the diligent enforcement of the arms embargo, enhanced border control mechanisms and freezing of assets linked to individuals and entities identified by the Committee. We expect all parties concerned to take the necessary steps to implement the arms embargo to prevent the illicit flow of firearms into Haiti. We also call attention to the Panel of Experts’ recommendation and the Committee’s continuing mandate to update and expand the 2653 sanctions list, particularly to include those who undermine Haiti’s peace, stability and governance. We welcome the ongoing measures being taken to stand up the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) and invite all Member States to support the GSF, including by contributing to the trust fund. In closing, we reaffirm our commitment to the work of the 2653 Committee. We stand ready to intensify cooperation with other Member States, regional partners, international organizations and Haitian stakeholders to ensure that the policies reflected in the report translate into concrete action. The restoration of peace, security, human rights and the rule of law in Haiti remains an urgent international priority.