S/PV.7530 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Ms. Sandra Honoré, Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite His Excellency Mr. Thomas Mayr-Harting, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2015/667, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. I now give the floor to Ms. Honoré.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to Spain in its capacity as President of the Security Council and to all members of the Council for convening today’s meeting to examine the Secretary-General’s report on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (S/2015/667), issued on 31 August. (spoke in French) I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the presence of the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Haiti. (spoke in Spanish) I would like to express my special gratitude to all the countries that have contributed troops and police elements to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and to all Member States that are collaborating in the peacebuilding process in Haiti. (spoke in English) On 9 August, Haiti took the all-important step of holding the first round of elections to renew the executive, legislative and local leadership of the country. On 27 September, after protracted deliberations by the electoral tribunals on 203 contested cases, the Provisional Electoral Council published the results, according to which 2 of the contenders for the 20 Senate seats and 8 for the 119 seats in the Chamber of Deputies won an outright victory. Twenty-five electoral districts will require re-runs of the first round for 6 Senate and 25 Chamber of Deputies seats because of electoral violence or irregularities affecting the vote. First- and second-ranked candidates will be competing for 12 Senate and 86 Chamber of Deputies seats in the second round run-offs on 25 October. I am encouraged by the ongoing preparations of the Haitians authorities, and I am confident that Haiti is now moving resolutely towards the renewal of its democratic institutions and the re-establishment of institutional balance crucial for the consolidation of democracy and stability. Notwithstanding the efforts of the Provisional Electoral Council, the Government and the Haitian National Police (HNP), severe acts of violence and some technical irregularities invalidated the 9 August voting in 13 per cent of the country’s voting centres. In that regard, I am encouraged by the actions taken by the Provisional Electoral Council aimed at addressing those shortcomings and at responding to recommendations from political parties, candidates and observer groups. These actions range from a swift response to the violence that occurred on 9 August and a revived interaction with political parties and candidates, which is important for the transparency and inclusiveness of the electoral process, to corrective measures aimed at improving technical aspects of the electoral operations. These include the timely publication of voter lists, a reassessment of voting centres, a review of the performance of the Provisional Electoral Council staff, addressing the issue of party poll-watchers, and a modification of the electoral calendar to simplify voting by deferring the local Government vote from the second to the third round on 27 December. To recapitulate, therefore, the 25 October polls will include the first- round presidential, the second-round legislative and the municipal vote, together with the re-runs for the first round legislative vote in the constituencies affected on 9 August. It is to be noted that, for the first time in the electoral history of Haiti, the Provisional Electoral Council has taken punitive action against instigators of electoral violence. On 19 August, 16 candidates from 10 different political parties were barred from further participation in the elections following their involvement in acts of electoral violence. Warnings were also issued to 17 political parties whose supporters were reported to have instigated criminal acts and voter intimidation. This has sent a clear signal to all contenders that the use of force and electoral violence will not be tolerated. I urge the judiciary to follow suit and take appropriate legal action, where needed, to send a firm message to all who contemplate the use of force to pursue their goals, irrespective of their political affiliations, that impunity is not an option. In the wake of the continued consolidation of MINUSTAH, these elections also serve as a test of the capacity of the Haitian National Police to maintain security during a challenging period. It is against that background that I note that the security environment has remained generally stable, more calm and less violent as compared with previous electoral cycles. Though fewer and short-lived, violent election-related protests remain an element to be carefully monitored as we approach the second round of the voting, in which the political stakes will be higher. I note that commitment expressed by the Haitian National Police to undertaking measures to improve police performance in the upcoming round with a view to contributing to a conducive electoral climate. To that end, the Haitian National Police, with the Provisional Electoral Council and supported by the United Nations, is working in an integrated manner to adjust logistics and security plans for the coming rounds and is conducting operations in violence-prone communes across the country ahead of the polls. In parallel, work continues towards the implementation of the HNP 2012-2016 development plan, which is now in its fourth and final year. To build on the achievement of the National Police and the current level of security and stability obtained in a number of departments, the United Nations is working towards reshaping its assistance to acknowledge progress and concentrate its action where criminality most affects the main security indicators, such as homicides and gang confrontations. I encourage Member States to provide experts in administrative, technical and operational support in the form of Government-provided personnel, as well as specialized teams in key fields of policing, with a view to creating longer-term post-MINUSTAH partnerships among the Haitian National Police, donors and other international partners. While the organization of the 9 August polls bears testimony to the increased capacity of the Provisional Electoral Council, the Government of Haiti and the Haitian National Police to assume greater responsibility in leading the country’s democratic process, the engagement of the United Nations system, including MINUSTAH and its uniformed components, continues to be required in support of operations, logistics and security. Equally, while acknowledging the Haitian Government’s substantial budgetary allocations in support of the process — including as the largest donor to the United Nations Development Programme-managed basket fundamental  — the financial contributions of Haiti’s international partners continue to be critical to the completion of the electoral cycle. (spoke in French) We believe, however, that this will be the last election in which electoral assistance at the level of that provided by the peacekeeping operation will be necessary. Future elections in Haiti should be managed by the Haitian authorities, with the targeted and limited logistical and technical assistance of United Nations agencies and international partners. (spoke in English) To allow for an orderly and sustainable transfer of these and other activities currently undertaken by MINUSTAH as part of a transition process to the Haitian authorities and other partners, and mindful of the tasks ahead of us to assist Haiti’s authorities in completing the electoral cycle, the Secretary-General has recommended the extension by one, possibly final year of the MINUSTAH mandate at the current troop and police levels. An integrated strategic assessment mission will be deployed after the completion of the electoral cycle and the installation of a new President and new authorities to formulate recommendations for the future presence of the United Nations in Haiti. In the meantime, MINUSTAH will concentrate on specific areas, including good offices, police development, the rule of law and human rights, while intensifying work with the United Nations country team to identify areas where the latter can strengthen its engagement and joint programming can be developed. A one-year extension will also afford the new Administration a period of continued support to allow for the consolidation of State authority and the time necessary to articulate how best the country’s institutions may be support by the United Nations in the future. That is of prime importance to the orderly and durable transition of the current peacekeeping presence. Haitian ownership of the future posture of United Nations assistance is vital so that the Government and society can build on the achievements of the past 11 years and further consolidate the stabilization gains for the well-being of the Haitian people. The early involvement of the new Administration in the transition planning and decision-making process with respect to the future United Nations presence will be as critical as unity in the efforts and the vision of the international community in support of a durable transition. (spoke in Spanish) In conclusion, allow me to emphasize that it is of the greatest important that the electoral cycle be completed in accordance with the Constitution, that the fiftieth legislature can take office on 11 January and that the new President take office on 7 February 2016. (spoke in French) I would like to commend the commitment of the Haitian political actors in these elections, in spite of the challenges that the process has faced. Carrying out an equitable, transparent and inclusive electoral process in a climate of peace is a prerequisite for Haiti to continue moving forward on the path towards stabilization, democratic governance, strengthening the rule of law and socioeconomic development. I urge all political actors to continue making their contribution so that these vital elections take place in a climate of calm and mutual trust, allowing the greatest possible voter participation. I call on all voters to exercise their right to vote in peace in order to contribute to the consolidation of Haiti as a more stable, democratic and prosperous country. (spoke in English) I call on all of Haiti’s international partners to continue to support the country’s electoral process, as well as its long-term stability and development, following the installation of a new Government. I thank all my colleagues in MINUSTAH and the United Nations country team for their dedication and commitment during this transformative period. Allow me also to pay tribute to our former Force Commander, Lieutenant General José Luiz Jaborandy, Jr., who passed on 30 August. On behalf of MINUSTAH and the wider United Nations system in Haiti, I thank members for their messages of condolence and for accompanying the United Nations and the family of the former Force Commander through this difficult moment.

I thank Ms. Honoré for her briefing. I shall now give the floor to the members of the Security Council.

Since this is the first time that I am taking the floor in the Chamber this month, I would like to thank the Russian Federation for its leadership and work during its presidency of the Council in September. Similarly, we congratulate Spain on its assumption of the Council presidency in October. The Spanish delegation can count on our full support in carrying out its important duties. We thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Haiti, Ms. Sandra Honoré, for her briefing. My delegation associates itself with the statement to be made by the Permanent Representative of Uruguay on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti. We begin by remembering the late Force Commander, Lieutenant General José Luiz Jaborandy, Jr., and we express our gratitude for the work he did. We welcome the new Force Commander, Lieutenant General Ajax Porto Pinheiro, who has my country’s full support. Haiti is at an important stage on its path to the consolidation of stability and democracy. A positive sign of this is the beginning of the electoral process on 9 August. With regard to the electoral process, we recognize the work done by Haitian institutions and authorities, in particular the Provisional Electoral Council, but we also believe it is necessary to underscore the role played by the Haitian National Police in maintaining security. We hope that the difficulties encountered in this area are resolved in the coming stages. At a time when the transition from emergency relief to development is being planned, we must not forget that there are still humanitarian challenges. We welcome the relocation of the majority of internally displaced persons, but we are concerned by the end of the funding for basic services and relocation subsidies for those who remain. We are also concerned about the food and health insecurity, and we hope that efforts to erradicate cholera will continue. The support of the international community must be strengthened, particularly contributions to financing the call for transition and the urgent humanitarian funding appeal launched by the launched by the Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti in August. The process of reconfiguring the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) must be subject to the needs of peace of the country and the region, and not to special interests. We must ensure long-term progress and support Haiti on the path to inclusive development and social peace. That is why we are pleased to see the proposal to conduct a strategic assessment of the United Nations presence in Haiti. This exercise should be undertaken without prejudging the outcome, be flexible enough to be able to base decisions on the conditions on the ground and, most importantly, be carried out in coordination with the new Haitian authorities. The MINUSTAH consolidation plan establishes four specific priority areas that must show the way forward. In this regard, the training of police capacities remains fundamental. We value building the capacity of the Haitian National Police to carry out its work, but we hope that efforts will be stepped up to achieve all the objectives set out in its development plan. Despite this, we cannot overlook the deterrent role that MINUSTAH continues to be play, nor the support that the police units and the military contingents offer to the Haitian National Police. That is why we welcome the recommendation of the Secretary-General to maintain the police and military personnel currently authorized for the next 12 months. Important progress has been achieved in Haiti through a joint effort of the population and the Haitian authorities, with the support of MINUSTAH, the United Nations system and international partners. This collective effort over all these years must help to strengthen institutions that are effective, inclusive and ready to be accountable, particularly those in areas relating to the rule of law. This should make it possible to achieve inclusive and sustainable development, as well as the full exercise of human rights and the strengthening of a democratic society. The international community should maintain its support in accordance with the principle of national ownership. I conclude by paying tribute to each and every one of the staff of MINUSTAH, who have worked for peace and development in Haiti, in particular the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Sandra Honoré.

I warmly thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General in Haiti, Ms. Sandra Honoré, for her briefing and her commitment. I associate myself with the statements to be delivered by the observer of the European Union and by the representative of Uruguay on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti. Everyone knows that there are major challenges in Haiti. This country, which we hold dear, has not been spared by the scourges of poverty, insecurity and natural disasters during its recent history. The structural difficulties it faces call for a sustained and long-term commitment by the international community. France fully plays its role through its general contributions to United Nations operations, funds and programmes, but also bilaterally, as demonstrated by the recent visit of the President of the Republic to Port-au-Prince, in May. As Council members know, during this important visit, President Hollande announced a pledge of €50 million for the education sector over the next five years. It would not be fair to depict only the dark and negative side of Haiti. It is also a country where many dynamic forms of progress are at work at various levels, which are as many reasons to hope, and which we should appreciate and wholeheartedly encourage. The first and foremost reason for hope is democratic progress. The organization of the long-awaited and desired elections is finally here. The first round of the legislative and senatorial elections were held and the results were published. While we naturally deplore the few cases of violence in which there was an unacceptable loss of life and some irregularities, those incidents were contained and duly noted. Most important, the security of the electoral process as a whole was ensured. The Provisional Electoral Council took up its responsibilities and announced, in particular, the organization of new voting in one quarter of the polling stations and the removal of the candidates involved in the unrest. France expresses the hope that the presidential elections, whose first round will be held in a few days, are conducted in a calm, serene and democratic atmosphere. These elections should continue to be free, transparent and inclusive. The continued rigorous work undertaken by the Provisional Electoral Council and the responsible commitment of all political actors will be decisive in this regard. Eleven years after its establishment and the approval of its first mandate, it is clear that the current configuration of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) is no longer truly adapted to the realities of the situation in Haiti. Much progress has indeed been made since 2004, first and foremost in the area of security. Haiti and its people can now rely on a national police force whose level of professionalism and growing capacity should enable it in the near future to independently ensure the maintenance of order throughout the territory. Several signals recorded in the most recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2015/667) are encouraging and worth noting: the country’s security situation has remained generally stable since the adoption of the previous mandate of the force, including during the holding of the first round of the legislative and senatorial elections; the Haitian National Police now operates effectively at the front line in almost all situations; and the level of violence in departments where the military component has withdrawn has not increased. Clearly, then, we need to do some deep thinking on the future of the United Nations presence and role in Haiti. We need to know how to collectively acknowledge the achievements obtained with the support of MINUSTAH in Haiti, while ensuring, naturally, that the gains are maintained. A consolidation process for that purpose was begun last year; it is important to bring it to completion. It is in fact our responsibility to develop the means deployed locally to best meet the needs of the country and its people. The credibility of the work of this Council depends on it, as does its effectiveness. France is convinced that it is now time to move from a logic of maintaining peace to a logic of peacebuilding in Haiti. Haiti’s long-term security and stabilization rests on the assumption of responsibility by the Haitian authorities and the sustainable development of the island. A United Nations presence is obviously highly necessary today. However, it must be recalibrated around the main objective of strengthening the capacity of Haitian institutions, particularly in the areas of security, rule of law, governance and respect for human rights. Children’s rights, dysfunction in the judicial and prison systems and the problems of access to economic and social rights in the context of reconstruction are still of concern. It is particularly crucial to address the significant gaps that remain in these areas, where, although the Haitian authorities are proactive, they are still not equal to the task. France therefore warmly welcomes the recommendation of the Secretary-General that a strategic review be conducted in Haiti. We hope that this leads to the presentation to the Council of concrete policy recommendations on the future of the presence and role of the United Nations in Haiti in order to complete the consolidation effort within MINUSTAH, in the interest, once again, of Haiti and its people. We should like this exercise to be carried out the day after the conclusion of the electoral cycle in progress, and sufficiently in advance of the end of the next and possibly the last mandate—which the Council will consider next week— provided that the security conditions remain unchanged, of course. The situation in Haiti challenges us all. The support of the international community and the United Nations commitment remain more necessary than ever. But our responsibility in this Council is to do what it takes for our efforts to be as appropriate and effective as possible. The challenges facing Haiti and the expectations of its population do not allow us the luxury of delaying before taking the necessary decisions.

Mr. President, I thank you for organizing today’s meeting. I also listened attentively to Special Representative Honoré’s briefing. Thanks to the strong support of the international community and the preparations made in all walks of life in Haiti, the first round of the legislative elections took place in August. The elections as a whole were peaceful and orderly, which was positively received by the international community. At present, the security situation in Haiti is stable. Its economy continues to grow. These are positive factors that are laying a foundation for the smooth conduct of elections in Haiti. Nevertheless, the situation in Haiti remains complex and fragile. Cases of cholera are on the rise. The task of providing humanitarian relief to displaced people who need to be resettled remains enormous. Peacebuilding has a long way to go. China hopes that the international community will focus its assistance in the following three areas. First, active efforts should be made to move forward with Haiti’s elections. The second round of the legislative elections, the presidential runoff and the local polls will take place on 25 October. Whether this round of elections will turn out to be successful will bear significantly on the political process in Haiti. China hopes that all the Haitian parties will refrain from violence, maintain their unity and work together to create a good atmosphere for the elections. We hope that the international community and the regional organizations concerned will continue to provide vigorous support and help for the elections in Haiti by providing monitoring and coordination on the basis of respect for Haiti’s ownership role. Secondly, efforts should be focused on helping Haiti in its development. Lack of development is the root cause of Haiti’s political and social problems. Only development can solve these problems and provide effective guarantees for the fundamental rights of the Haitian people. The Government of Haiti should take advantage of the current momentum in economic growth to scale up infrastructure construction, build its capacity in the fields of health, disease prevention and disaster reduction, safeguard food security and improve the humanitarian situation on the ground. The international community should deliver on its commitment of assistance to Haiti in support of the country’s efforts to achieve accelerated economic and social development and to establish the rule of law, helping Haiti achieve poverty reduction and independent development in the near future. Thirdly, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) should play its full role. Under the leadership of its head, Ms. Sandra Honoré, the Mission has played an important role in promoting elections in Haiti and in enhancing Haiti’s security and stability. China expresses its appreciation in this regard. We hope MINUSTAH will continue to communicate and coordinate with the Government of Haiti, step up its training of the Haitian National Police and improve the country’s own capacity for security, thus making a greater contribution to the achievement of lasting peace and stability at an early date.

We wish you and the Spanish delegation every success, Mr. President, in presiding over the Security Council this month. You can rely on our full cooperation. (spoke in English) We congratulate the Russian delegation on its successful presidency of the Security Council in the month of September. We are grateful to Ms. Sandra Honoré for her briefing on the situation in Haiti. We wish to relay our heartfelt condolences to the family of Lieutenant General José Luiz Jaborandy, Jr., former Force Commander of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). We extend our condolences to all United Nations military contingents and civilian personnel who benefited from his leadership. We echo the words of the Secretary- General in recognizing his leadership and dedication to peace in Haiti. The latest report of the Secretary-General on MINUSTAH (S/2015/667) and President Michel Joseph Martelly’s address to the General Assembly at its current session (see A/70/PV.22) instils in us a high degree of confidence in the prospects of consolidating democracy, the rule of law and development in Haiti. Such confidence has been reflected in recent political developments, particularly the success in the first round of parliamentary elections, held in August, and the climate of stability that the country currently enjoys. We recognize and appreciate the excellent work accomplished by the provisions of the Provisional Electoral Council and by the national and international observers, which, according to the Secretary-General’s report, progressively gained greater credibility by demonstrating throughout the electoral process their ability to comply with the electoral calendar despite tight deadlines. Notwithstanding the occurrence of some incidents, we are persuaded that the electoral outcome created a climate conducive to the holding of a second round, to take place on 25 October, and later to the municipal and presidential elections. We note with satisfaction the work of MINUSTAH and the Haitian National Police, including their joint exercises, the creation of a new rapid intervention force with a capacity to intervene throughout the country, and the elimination of buffer zones between communities formerly controlled by criminal gangs. This effective cooperation was crucial to the establishment of a security climate conducive to the holding of elections, while reducing the overall violence in the country. The mandate for the renewal of Justice Council members; the appointment key administrative staff, as well as to the administrative Department of Correction Services; and the completion of the project to assess the performance of Judges, as reflected in the Secretary-General’s report, are positive developments in the enforcement of the rule of law and in the improvement of human rights in the country. Concerning humanitarian development issues, we are closely following the bilateral efforts between Haiti and the Dominican Republic regarding the repatriation of Haitian refugees. We recognize the support of the international community in ensuring that both countries resume dialogue and take advantage of the current encouraging situation to improve the management of their common borders and strengthen cooperation in order to create new opportunities for their citizens. In that context, we commend the role of the Organization of American States for expeditiously deploying a fact- finding mission. We look forward to its outcomes and recommendations. Despite the efforts of the Haitian Government to improve the living conditions of its citizens, we regret the reduction of funds limiting the capacity of the United Nations system and its partners to respond adequately to development challenges facing the country, including the cholera epidemic outbreak in 2015 that claimed more than 175 lives. Recent United Nations awareness and advocacy initiatives have been encouraging, since concerted efforts and consistent funding may reduce the incidence of the epidemic. Similarly, we commend the technical assistance provided by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, as well as the joint work of MINUSTAH, the United Nations Development Programme and the Ministry of Health of Haiti in order to improve the conditions of the Haitian people. We fully acknowledge the important role MINUSTAH has been playing in Haiti since its deployment in 2004. In order to keep the positive momentum and gains achieved in recent years, we support the Secretary-General’s recommendation for the extension of the MINUSTAH mandate until 15 October 2016 at the current strength in military personnel and a review of the Mission’s mandate. Such an extension will, with the wider support of the international community, ensure a peaceful political transition through transparent, inclusive and credible elections, which are vital factors for the consolidation of democracy and peace in Haiti. In addition, the presence of MINUSTAH for yet another year would consolidate the successes achieved in key areas of governance, such as the ability of municipal authorities to implement administrative and financial procedures; recruit, train and certify key personnel; and develop and standardize tools and procedures for financial management and transparency. Finally, the extension of MINUSTAH’s mandate would ensure a climate of stability, encourage foreign direct investment and, after several decades of stagnation, allow the national economy to finally grow. We are eager to witness in January and February 2016 the empowerment of a new Parliament and a new President and the establishment of an enabling environment for the socioeconomic development of Haiti, which are decisive indicators of the performance and success of MINUSTAH after 11 years in the country.

At the outset, I thanks Ms. Sandra Honoré for her comprehensive briefing and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) staff, the troop- and police-contribution countries, and the United Nations country team and their partners. I thank them all for their efforts to support Haiti and its people. I would also like to offer our condolences to the Brazilian Government on the passing away of the late Lieutenant General José Luiz Jaborandy, Jr., former Force Commander of MINUSTAH. Thanks to the determination of its people and the commitment of its leaders, Haiti has been able to move towards democracy and to put an end to political uncertainty by holding legislative elections following a considerable delay. We trust that those legislative elections will conclude peacefully and that they will be free, transparent and inclusive. Above all, in those constituencies where a second round of elections will be held, there is a need to bolster trust in the electoral process in Haiti. We need investigations into cases of violence, and irregularities must be addressed. We urge Haiti to hold local, municipal and presidential elections in accordance with the timetable. In that regard, we welcome the role played by the Provisional Electoral Council, which has proven its capacity to manage a very complex electoral process. Moreover, we commend the Haitian Government for providing the necessary resources to the Provisional Electoral Council and to the Haitian National Police, and we call on the international community to provide Haiti with the aid necessary to conclude the entire electoral process. The security situation in Haiti is overall stable, but peace and stability require consolidation of the rule of law in that country. There is also the need to address clear shortcomings in the judicial system, particularly the inhumane conditions in the prison system, which is overburdened. We welcome efforts made to strengthen the police force and improve security in Haiti. We reiterate the importance of providing aid and training to enhance the presence of the Haitian police throughout the country. Special attention must be paid to the humanitarian situation in Haiti. Cholera continues to rage throughout the country even though the number of cases has declined. Moreover, Haiti is experiencing drought, which has decreased its food supply. There is, therefore, a need to bolster food aid to Haiti, as soon as possible, to prevent rising levels of malnutrition. Haiti, working together with the United Nations, has made historic progress that must be built upon. Once again, we call on all countries and organizations, which have strong relations with Haiti, to provide aid to the Haitian people throughout all stages of the political transition process. In that regard, we reiterate that the role played by the United Nations remains crucial in Haiti and we support the renewal of MINUSTAH’s mandate in order to preserve stability in that country. In addition, that mandate must respect the situation on the ground, especially the needs of the people in all areas. There is also a need to guarantee peace, security, stability and the success of future plans to build a modern State.

I would like to thank Special Representative Honoré for her briefing today and for her continued leadership. Our gratitude also goes to the troop- and police-contributing countries to Haiti, the Group of Friends and the dedicated women and men serving in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), who, like us, are committed to Haiti’s future. We, too, wish to offer our sincere condolences for the loss of the late Force Commander, Lieutenant General Jaborandy. Today, I would like to touch briefly on three main topics: Haiti’s elections, MINUSTAH’s contribution to Haiti’s present and future, and the importance of development. Haiti’s upcoming elections are naturally the centre of attention for many in the Chamber today and for good reason. They represent a milestone for how far Haiti has come in its political process since the earthquake. One round of voting has been held and the second round, which includes the first presidential ballot, is fast approaching. The process has not been without challenges and the international community remains concerned about the scattered acts of violence, poll interruptions and other misconduct. While not widespread, we ask Haitian authorities to investigate those incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice. By prioritizing transparent elections this year, the Haitian Government will give Haitians a renewed voice in their governance. In the coming months, we encourage all actors to participate fully in the electoral process and to pledge to a high standard of transparency. That is because strengthened confidence in Haiti’s political system could, naturally, help attract investment and jobs. As Haiti moves toward the completion of elections and the formation of a new Government, we also note the success of the continued drawdown of MINUSTAH and the ongoing development and professionalism of the Haitian National Police, who have continued taking on increasing responsibilities for nationwide security. We commend their admirable efforts to provide election security during the first round of elections and implement the security plan coordinated with MINUSTAH. The role of the Haitian National Police in providing security for the upcoming election rounds is key. Given the high number of candidates registered for the elections and the scale of the voting operation, we urge additional planning and coordination for the remaining rounds. In the longer term, we are also working with MINUSTAH through police and corrections advisers, who are working to build the Haitian National Police and Haiti’s law enforcement capacity through training, equipment, technical assistance and infrastructure improvement. As part of that process, we support MINUSTAH’s commitment to continue developing the Haitian National Police and assist the Haitian Government as it takes on greater responsibility for its own security and policing. As the Haitian National Police grows and as Haiti completes its ongoing elections, stability is crucial. For that reason, we support maintaining MINUSTAH’s current force size and configuration. The terms of the MINUSTAH mandate renewal must continue to be conditions-based. We strongly believe that any decisions on a further reduction of troop levels need to be taken after the elections, preferably after a new Government is seated and on the basis of a formal recommendation from the United Nations following a thorough strategic assessment that takes into account security. That leads me to an important point on development. Five years after the devastating 2010 earthquake, Haiti is making the transition from recovery to a period of long-term economic development. Significant challenges continue, however, to face the Haitian people, such as chronic poverty and high unemployment. The Government of Haiti, with support from the international community, needs to improve the economic environment in the country. That means investing in job creation, infrastructure and the provision of key services, among other initiatives that will ensure a better future for Haiti. A sign of the strength of our partnership with Haiti came earlier this week, when Secretary of State Kerry visited Haiti at the invitation of President Martelly. In a joint statement, both he and President Martelly emphasized the importance of fair and peaceful elections and encouraged all Haitians to go to the polls on 25 October. His visit underscored the commitment of the United States of America to the Haitian people. As Haiti’s neighbour and assistance partner, we have a deep and enduring interest in ensuring Haiti’s long- term security, democratic development and economic growth. Since the earthquake, the United States has provided over $4.2 billion in assistance. We remain firmly committed to the Haitian people and are working with the Haitian Government to ensure a more secure, stable and self-sufficient Haiti.

I wish to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for her briefing and commend her astute leadership of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Nigeria commends the transitional Government in Haiti for the significant progress recorded in the country’s political process. The first round of legislative elections, held in August, attests to the commitment of the country’s leaders and, indeed, of the people of Haiti to democratic governance. It is understood that all political parties in the country have a pivotal role to play in ensuring the success of the electoral process. We urge the Government to align the decisions of the Provisional Electoral Council with those of the courts in order to minimize the risk of violence and foster the necessary consensus for elections to be held as scheduled. Successful elections will require robust international support. That is why we welcome the indispensable support of the international community in the collective effort of assisting Haiti to sustain democracy and good governance. The participation of international election observation missions would inspire the confidence of political parties, candidates and voters in their electoral process. We commend the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Office for Project Services, MINUSTAH and other international partners for the technical and logistical assistance they have provided in support of the elections in Haiti. The anti-fraud measures that are being put in place, including the electronic transmission of tally sheets from polling stations to operations centres, give some assurance that the elections will be credible. That is crucial to an outcome that reflects the will of Haiti’s voters. Beyond those significant developments in organizational matters, we welcome the ongoing initiatives aimed at securing a peaceful environment during the elections. The Haitian National Police has worked hard to create an atmosphere conducive to holding peaceful elections. We are hopeful that the integrated security deployment planned by the joint electoral cell, composed of both Haitian police and MINUSTAH uniformed components, can eliminate the possibility of electoral violence. We commend MINUSTAH for arranging special protection for female candidates during the elections, which should help to encourage the women of Haiti to participate in their country’s electoral process. In Haiti today, the National Police needs to grow, both in size and in capability. We note the efforts that have been made to strengthen its specialized units and increase the number of trainees admitted to the police training programme, with a view to reaching a target of 15,000 officers by 2016. The increase in violence and unrest during the reporting period underscores the importance of improving police capacity in the area of crowd control and other aspects of law enforcement. Efforts to enhance the competence, professionalism, accountability and discipline of the police will serve to build public confidence in that key national institution. Nigeria takes positive note of the Haitian Government’s ongoing efforts to cooperate with MINUSTAH and other partners and stakeholders in strengthening the country’s legal and judicial frameworks. Those represent noteworthy steps towards consolidating the rule of law in Haiti. The renewal of the mandates of seven members of the Superior Council of the Judiciary and key administrative nominations have greatly improved the capacity of the justice sector. Similarly, the consultations on a draft Penal Code involving a broad range of stakeholders, including some from civil society, and the revision of the Criminal Procedure Code, represent significant steps forward in legislative reform. We want to encourage the Government to work to expedite the process of renewing judges’ terms so as to enhance the judiciary’s efficiency. While such positive developments in Haiti are testament to MINUSTAH’s effectiveness, we would like to encourage the Mission to continue to use existing means and capabilities within its mandate to enhance stability there. There is considerable merit in the Secretary-General’s proposal in his report (S/2015/667) to undertake a strategic assessment of the situation in Haiti. As the situation evolves, so must the role of the United Nations.

I would first like to congratulate Spain and your delegation, Mr. President, as you take on the work of the presidency of the Council this month. You can be assured that New Zealand will do all it can to support you. I would also like to thank and commend the Russian delegation for the very calm and efficient way in which they managed the Council through a very difficult month. I would like to thank Ms. Sandra Honoré for her briefing and her commitment to the reconstruction of Haiti, as well as the staff of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and the troop-contributing countries for the important work they are doing. Today’s discussions on MINUSTAH come at a very important time in Haiti’s emergence from a long period of instability as the country seeks to consolidate its democracy and institutions. New Zealand welcomes the positive trends in Haiti’s stabilization, in particular the commencement of a long- overdue election process. In that regard, the holding of legislative elections on 9 August was a significant step towards a renewal of Haiti’s democratic institutions. As we have heard, the elections were not completely free of irregularities or violence, but the fact that they were judged to be inclusive and transparent is nonetheless a sign of genuine progress. We are also encouraged by the performance of the Haitian National Police, which has continued to develop, with MINUSTAH’s support. We commend Haiti’s electoral institutions for their efforts and urge them to implement the lessons learned from the August elections in preparation for the next, more challenging phase of the electoral process. We also urge all Haitian political actors to do everything possible to ensure that the elections take place in stable and peaceful conditions. It is vital that the Haitian authorities lead the management of the elections and appear at the forefront of efforts to maintain Haiti’s security and stability. It is also clear that MINUSTAH has a role to play during this period in supporting a secure and stable environment conducive to free and fair elections. But as we said in this Chamber in March (see S/PV.7147), MINUSTAH will not be in Haiti forever. The Mission should evolve as the situation on the ground allows and as the Haitian authorities and institutions become ready to assume full responsibility for Haiti’s security. For that reason, we too support the Secretary-General’s proposal to conduct a strategic assessment of the situation in Haiti after the current electoral cycle and in close consultation with the Haitian Government. While we do not want to prejudge the outcome of that assessment, should the positive trajectory in Haiti’s stabilization continue, New Zealand will certainly welcome a discussion on the footprint of the United Nations in Haiti, and in particular on the future of MINUSTAH. The capacity of the Haitian National Police to manage Haiti’s security challenges should be central to that discussion. In considering the future United Nations presence in Haiti, it will also be important to take into account some worrying aspects of the humanitarian situation in Haiti, including those relating to cholera and internally displaced persons. I would like to conclude by reiterating that Haiti is at a critical point on its path to restoring an inclusive and representative democracy. We hope that, in the coming months, it will complete a peaceful political transition and show proof of the progress it has made in taking full control of its future. We also hope that the Council will continue to exercise due patience and prudence, and be united in expressing its support to Haiti at this important time.

I would like to thank Ms. Sandra Honoré, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for her briefing today, and to join others in offering our condolences on the passing of General Jaborandy, who served the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) with distinction. We welcome the latest report of the Secretary-General (S/2015/667) and appreciate the valuable contribution that MINUSTAH has made to stability and progress in Haiti. My statement today will focus on three key points: the collective achievement in stabilizing Haiti, the expected drawdown of MINUSTAH forces by the end of 2016 and the need for early planning for a successor presence of the United Nations. As I said in our last discussion in March (see S/PV.7147), MINUSTAH has successfully delivered for the Council. I commend the efforts of all of its peacekeepers in collectively achieving the Mission’s objectives, so that we are now contemplating MINUSTAH’s final mandate. We should pause to reflect on what an achievement that has been for Haiti and for the United Nations. In January, the Council had an opportunity to see at first hand the contribution of MINUSTAH. It was also a chance to see the positive steps that Haiti is taking to ensure its own development and security. One such step was the recent holding of the first round of legislative elections and the scheduling of the presidential election. In the Secretary-General’s words, there are encouraging signs that the political leaders of Haiti have embarked on a positive path. We agree with that sentiment and encourage all levels of Government to continue taking steps along that path over the next six months. The failure to hold elections in 2014, together with the dissolution of Haiti’s Parliament, led to uncertainty among Haiti’s people. So we also welcome the formation of the Provisional Electoral Council, the publication of an electoral decree and the announcement of the electoral calendar. We are pleased that the Secretary-General’s most recent report on MINUSTAH makes a positive overall assessment of the security situation in Haiti and confirms that important progress has been achieved. For example, and as you have just told us now Sandra, the recent polls in August were notably calmer than the previous electoral cycle. As noted by the Secretary- General, this was testament to the increased capacity of Haiti’s institutions to take on greater responsibility in leading the country’s democratic processes. There has been no increase of insecurity or violence in the departments from which the military component withdrew. Similarly, the statistics on the performance of the Haitian National Police, which is demonstrating an increasing ability to operate without MINUSTAH’s support, are impressive. For example, demands for MINUSTAH crowd-control support to the 10 departmental units for crowd control have dramatically fallen from 146 incidents to 18 over the past two reporting periods. We do of course recognize, however, that there is more to be done in increasing police numbers and expertise. These enhanced capabilities can be seen as successes for both MINUSTAH and the Haitian National Police, but the real victory is for the people of Haiti. Their peace of mind and hope for a more stable and secure future grow with every step their national institutions take forward. But the final success of MINUSTAH will be to build on these achievements by planning a smooth transition to a successor United Nations presence. The Council has always been clear that the main role of MINUSTAH is to help Haiti take back responsibility for its security. And while MINUSTAH undoubtedly still has a stabilization role to play in Haiti during the electoral period, I think we can agree that it is right that the Mission continues to consolidate, increasingly focusing on bespoke areas where it can offer the greatest support to a stable Haiti. This is precisely why transition planning needs to start early to ensure that Haiti has the support it needs post-MINUSTAH. By starting the planning early, we can provide the United Nations and the new Haitian Government the time they need to prepare for a smooth transition. With an electoral process finally under way, Haiti now has the opportunity to put behind it the uncertainty of the past few years and start planning for a future where it has full responsibility for its own security.

We thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Sandra Honoré for introducing the latest report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (S/2015/667) and for her assessment of the situation in that country. Major progress has been achieved in Haiti of late in terms of strengthening stability. Long-awaited elections have taken place with reasonably good organization and in acceptable security conditions. We hope that the presidential elections will also go smoothly. The successful organization of the electoral campaign is evidence of the scrupulous work of the national authorities, including the law-enforcement bodies. The Haitian National Police showed its overall ability to keep the situation under control, although there were a few outbreaks of violence. Moreover, the local police was compelled to seek assistance from MINUSTAH only a few times. We are grateful to the United Nations Mission, which provided valuable assistance to Port-au- Prince and proved its worth, even in times of gradual drawdown. We also recognize the Chilean peacekeeper who died in the line of duty on 13 April. We offer our condolences to the family and loved ones of the former Force Commander, Lieutenant General Jaborandy, and express our support for the new Force Commander, Lieutenant General Pinheiro. The Haitian people have suffered a great deal in recent years. However, the leading political actors in the country, with the support of the international community and MINUSTAH, were eventually able to overcome their differences. The most pressing issues have been resolved, including the building of the national law-enforcement and judiciary systems, reducing the numbers of temporary internally displaced persons and holding free, fair and transparent elections. We trust that early next year the new President and legislative and local authorities will take office in Haiti. That should be a new milestone in the country’s development and help resolve the urgent tasks it faces. If Haiti is to successfully move forward and achieve full socioeconomic normalization, Port-au-Prince will continue to require the assistance of the United Nations Mission and the international community. However, the events of the past six months suggest that the main political stakeholders of the country are able to resolve their differences and set aside their own ambitions to ensure a successful future for all Haitians. The professional training of the Haitian National Police has been stepped up, as has the number of law-enforcement agents. We trust that in the course of the United Nations drawdown, the Mission will draw fully on its existing resources to fulfil its mandate to assist stabilization in Haiti. That work will be all the more effective the closer it is coordinated with the newly elected authorities. As progress is achieved, functions needs to be gradually transferred from the Mission to the national authorities. We remain troubled by the difficult humanitarian situation, including with respect to food security and the rising number of cases of cholera registered in the spring. In that regard, the United Nations specialized agencies, international organizations and Haiti’s donors have a key role to play. For our part, we are ready to consider in-depth the Secretary-General’s strategic assessment of the future of the United Nations presence in the country once it is prepared. We believe that if the process of restoring statehood is to be effective and successful, the country’s national Government needs to play the central role, and that further measures taken by the United Nations should be fully aligned with the priorities of the authorities and people of Haiti. Following the elections, the new Government will enjoy a sufficient margin of confidence on the part of the voters that will allow it to act as effectively as possible and be a reliable partner to the international community.

As this is the first time I am taking the floor in a public meeting of the Security Council this month, I congratulate Spain on assuming the presidency of the Council for October. You can rely on our full support, Sir, in contributing to the successful discharge of your important responsibilities. I also congratulate the Russian Federation on its outstanding presidency of the Security Council in September. Like previous speakers, we extend our condolences to the people and Government of Brazil on the passing of Lieutenant General Jaborandy, the late Force Commander of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). We thank you, Sir, for convening this debate to address the situation in the Republic of Haiti. We also welcome the introduction of the report of the Secretary- General (S/2015/677) by his Special Representative and the Head of MINUSTAH, Ms. Sandra Honoré, to whom we reiterate our congratulations on her active role in supporting the authorities of the Haitian Government on their path to peace, stability, democracy and development. Venezuela is committed through deep historical, political and cultural links to the independent, political sovereignty and strengthened democratic institutionality in Haiti. We therefore appreciate the successful holding of the first round of parliamentary elections on 9 August. The Haitian people and authorities demonstrated their democratic commitment and political maturity once again, as well as their ability to take control of their own destiny. At this key moment for peace and political stability in that brotherly Caribbean country, combating poverty and social injustice requires everyone to contribute. We are pleased to recognize the outstanding work of President Michel Martelly over the past five years towards achieving these goals. We also acknowledge the efforts of the United Nations, through MINUSTAH, which continues to play a critical role in ensuring political stability in Haiti. We also commend the countries contributing troops and police to MINUSTAH. This year is vitally important to the strengthening of Haitian institutions. The United Nations system and the international community as a whole should continue to support the work of the Haitian Government and the electoral authorities of Haiti through appropriate technical and logistical support and the provision of adequate financial resources, in order to encourage the successful completion of the upcoming elections. We believe that a positive indicator of political stability will be the peaceful unfolding of the elections that will begin the political transition to a new Government in 2016. It is therefore essential that all political factors in Haiti work together to promote greater voter participation of Haitians in the election of their authorities, strengthening the trust of the citizens in the institutions of the country, and so that the new authorities feel that they are fully supported by their people and the international community. Concerning the future of MINUSTAH, we welcome the recommendations in the report of the Secretary-General with regard to carrying out a strategic assessment of the situation in Haiti, after the establishment of a new Government. Such a review must take into account the level of political stability and security throughout the country. We must avoid making hasty decisions that could set back the progress that has been achieved in the political, economic and social fields. For that reason, any decision on the future of MINUSTAH should be taken in coordination with the Government and in line with the security and stability conditions on the ground, taking into account the response capacity of the of the Haitians in managing their internal and security affairs. That is why we consider it a priority to reinforce the capacities and increase the number of officers of the Haitian National Police, in accordance with the 2012-2016 development plan. We should appraise the proposal made by President Martelly in his address to the General Assembly (see A/70/PV.22), in which he reiterated what had been said last March in his letter to the Secretary-General (S/2015/191, annex) on the need to resume, in a gradual and organized manner, the MINUSTAH reconfiguration plan, in line with a consensual timetable agreed upon with the new Government, starting in 2016. That should be done without jeopardizing the progress already made, or the country’s internal and external security. Despite the progress that has been made, there are still major challenges to be overcome in addressing the root and structural causes of poverty and exclusion that the Haitian people have suffered from for decades. We are troubled by the deterioration of the humanitarian situation and by the reduction in financing for assistance programmes, which have limited the ability of the United Nations system and the Haitian Government to adequately address the problems affecting the social and economic development of that country. We believe the efforts to support the actions of the health authorities in Haiti should be redoubled, in order to set up mechanisms for controling cholera. That epidemic has taken the lives of hundreds of Haitians in recent years. The creation of the High-level Committee for the eradication of the epidemic and the campaign for its prevention and elimination should be reinforced with the support of the international community. Our country is committed to maintaining and strengthening its cooperation with Haiti. In the last decade, together with the countries of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America, we have created various initiatives, projects and funds for projects considered priorities by the Haitian Government. Those have had a positive impact in that nation. We have actively contributed in the fields of ​social development, humanitarian assistance, construction, rehabilitation, maintenance of infrastructure, and education, through the PetroCaribe Energy Cooperation Agreement. Our country will continue to support this sister nation in the Caribbean, joining with regional efforts and with those of the United Nations, with a view to contributing to overcoming the enormous challenges of consolidate peace, stability and democracy on the basis of respect for Haiti’s sovereignty and political independence.

I would like to thank Spain for having organized this debate on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). I take this opportunity to congratulate you, Mr. President, as well as your entire team, on acceding to the presidency of the Security Council, and I assure you of the support of Chad. I would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Sandra Honoré and Head of MINUSTAH, for her briefing. The report of the Secretary-General (S/2015/667) under consideration, covering the period of 4 March to 31 August, mentions concrete progress marked by the preparation of presidential, municipal and local elections, the first round of which is scheduled for 25 October. That progress, it must be noted, is the result of intensive work of consultations and restoration of trust between President Michel Martelly and the opposition political parties, which has made it possible to reach a consensus on the continuation of the electoral process. Chad welcomes the improvement of the political climate and of the security situation in Haiti, after a very long period of political tensions and institutional paralysis. We hope that the violence that we saw during the last part of the campaign, the first legislative round held in August, does not recur in the coming elections. We also welcome the solid cooperation between the Haitian Government and its international partners, including MINUSTAH. The latter’s support in police training and in the health field is decisive in preparation of what will come after the United Nations departure. In that regard, we note with satisfaction that 11,900 police officers, including 1,022 women, have been trained within the framework of reaching the target of 15,000 officers by the end of 2016. Despite the significant progress achieved, thanks to the joint efforts of the Haitian authorities and the United Nations, a great number of challenges remain in the judicial, health and humanitarian fields. The judicial apparatus is encountering major difficulties owing to inadequate funding and lack of sufficient infrastructure. That has consequently led to excessive delays in trying those who have been detained and an increase in the prison population, already estimated to number 10,624 prisoners. The health situation remains deeply disturbing, owing to the significant increase in cases of cholera, 175 of which have been fatal. The international community urgently needs to do more to assist the Haitian authorities to develop and implement appropriate strategies to improve public health, help the sick and eradicate that epidemic. From a humanitarian standpoint, the fate of the 60,801 internally displaced Haitians, in 45 different camps, deserves the sustained attention from humanitarian agencies and the entire international community. The consolidation of the stabilization process also means relocating and reintegrating those vulnerable groups, living in extremely difficult conditions. With respect to the reconfiguration of MINUSTAH, Chad is in favour of the Mission’s two-stage drawdown plan in two stages, proposed by the Secretary-General in accordance with resolution 2180 (2014). However, the gradual drawdown of the Mission should take into account the evolution of the situation on the ground. Chad also supports the renewal of MINUSTAH’s mandate for a period of one year. Chad thanks all the troop- and police-contributing countries for their commitment alongside the Haitian people. We pay tribute to all the military, police and civilian personnel who paid the ultimate price in the course of their duties in Haiti.

I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Ms. Sandra Honoré, for her briefing. Undoubtedly, on 9 August the first round of legislative elections in Haiti marked an important step. Even if elections took place within a tense climate, the very fact that they have taken place without any major incident shows Haiti’s serious commitment to democracy and the rule of law. We are convinced that Haiti is on the right track. However, much remains to be done, and the results that have been achieved are not irreversible. The situation requires our ongoing attention. The proposed electoral calendar must be respected and implemented. It is important for the political parties to continue to behave responsibly, constructively and pragmatically. Successful elections will be decisive to Haiti’s stability, future and sustainable socioeconomic and political development. Efforts to establish and strengthen the rule of law in Haiti should continue. We look forward to seeing the Government and courts take serious steps to end impunity for all those responsible for human rights abuses and violations, including police officers and prison guards. It is urgent to advance such measures as the drafting of a new penal code, the approval procedure for judges and police officers, and the expansion of legal aid services. The human rights situation is of ongoing concern. We strongly urge the Haitian authorities to establish a strategic plan for 2015-2018 to strengthen institutional capacity in the protection of human rights. To ensure an effective democratic process, it is essential that all stakeholders of Haitian society fully take part. Economic growth remains a crucial factor for the country’s stability and development. While the country has experienced a considerable decrease in the number of internally displaced persons, other negative factors — such as the increased number of returning nationals, drought and cholera — have increased the country’s humanitarian needs and slowed its development, thereby endangering stability and security. In that context, international support remains crucial. Haiti still requires robust assistance in various areas of public life, and we are pleased that the European Union is the most important partner in that respect. From the security standpoint, we see a decrease in violence and increased responsibility on the part of the Haitian National Police in maintaining public order. That important achievement proved evident during the legislative elections. We hope that, with the support of the United Nations, the objective of training at least 15,000 police officers by 2016 can be achieved. However, crime remains a major challenge. A strengthened Haitian National Police with greater accountability is necessary to deal with persistent crime. We welcome the recent adoption of the national crime prevention strategy for the period 2015-2017. Internal discipline of the police must be addressed in a serious and responsible manner. Swift and effective action on the part of the Haitian Government will not be enough without genuine support from the international community. We recognize the role of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in stabilizing security and strengthening rule of law in Haiti. The very presence of MINUSTAH in the upcoming elections in October and December will be a calming factor. Taking into account the current situation and the challenges facing Haiti in the near future, we support the extension of the MINUSTAH mandate in its current composition. However, we share the recommendation of the Secretary-General that, after the inauguration of the new President, a strategic assessment be carried out to adapt the Mission to its new situation and the new needs of the country. To conclude, we welcome the positive achievements, but we also recognize their fragility. The women and men of Haiti still need our political and financial support.

I would like to begin by congratulating you, Mr. President, and your team on assuming the presidency for this month and to reaffirm Malaysia’s full support. I also wish to congratulate the Russian Federation on its stewardship of the Council during the past month. I join other Council members in thanking Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ms. Sandra Honoré for her briefing on the latest developments in Haiti. I also thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2015/667). Since the Council’s last discussion on this issue (see S/PV.7408), Haiti has seen a number of significant developments, most notably the holding of the first round of legislative elections on 9 August. We are encouraged to note that the election period was marred by only isolated instances of violence. We hope that the subsequent rounds scheduled for later this month will be equally, if not more peaceful. In organizing and preparing for the elections, we note that the Provisional Electoral Council discharged its role and its responsibilities in a professional and even- handed manner and accommodated many demands from various quarters and from potential candidates. In our view, such efforts are crucial towards cementing the Provisional Electoral Council’s credibility and could positively contribute towards deepening trust in Haiti’s democratic institutions. We are confident that with the necessary support of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), the United Nations and other international partners, the Provisional Electoral Council will be able to successfully conduct the subsequent rounds and the municipal and presidential polls scheduled for later this month. We also commend President Martelly and the transitional authorities in Haiti, including the Haitian National Police (HNP), for taking the steps necessary to ensure a safe and secure environment for the conduct of the elections. We note the extensive preparations for the elections carried out by the security actors, including the holding of simulation exercises with MINUSTAH. The fact that State functions such as security and law enforcement are increasingly Haitian-led bodes well for the future. In terms of checks and balances on the Haitian National Police, Malaysia notes that the Inspectorate General has been empowered to exercise oversight functions over the HNP and that it has exercised that role well. We urge the Haitian authorities to stay the course and continue working towards the holding of inclusive, transparent elections, and we hope that the Government will continue to allocate the required resources as and when needed. We are also pleased to note that during the reporting period, Haiti submitted periodic reports to the human rights treaty bodies for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. We also note the emphasis placed on containing the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country and the awareness- raising programmes on gender-based violence, underage pregnancy and sexual and reproductive health. With regard to the humanitarian situation, which remains dire, we are of the view that the Government should also consider stepping up its readiness and responsiveness in responding to possible emergencies, particularly in relation to cholera, drought and the upcoming hurricane season. We are encouraged by the ongoing efforts on administrative and legislative reform and urge the Government to step up efforts to cement the rule of law in the country. In that regard, we note the positive steps taken to address prolonged pre-trial detention and prison overcrowding, including concerning women detainees. On the development front, while we take note of the various plans and the implementation of measures to stabilize the economy, serious challenges, including food insecurity, remain. Ultimately, the goal must be to improve competitiveness and attractiveness to investors, with a view to achieving sustainable economic growth. With regard to the consolidation of MINUSTAH, Malaysia notes the developments and progress under the four stabilization benchmarks. The gains made under police development and electoral capacity-building are indeed noteworthy, while further improvements could be made under rule of law and human rights and on key governance issues. To conclude, I take the opportunity to express Malaysia’s appreciation to MINUSTAH, its leadership and all its personnel for their sustained and exemplary contributions in support of the Government and people of Haiti. We take note of the Secretary-General’s recommendation to extend the mandate of MINUSTAH. In light of the unfortunate passing of Force Commander Lieutenant General José Luiz Jaborandy Jr., we hope that his successor will be appointed soon, given the heavy tasks that lie ahead. We look forward to working alongside other Council members, Special Representative of the Secretary-General Honoré, MINUSTAH and the wider United Nations family, as well as institutional donors and other partners and stakeholders, towards achieving the goals of stability, security and development for Haiti and her people.

I shall now make a statement in my national capacity. At the outset, I would like to express my thanks to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for her statement and for her excellent work on the ground in Haiti. I also thank the Secretary-General for his August report (S/2015/667). I would also like to add my voice to the condolences expressed by a number of colleagues on the sad passing of our Force Commander in Haiti; in that connection I send my heartfelt sympathy to the delegation of Brazil. I will, of course, align myself with the statement to be delivered later in this meeting by the observer of the European Union. It is obvious that Haiti faces a great challenge. For only the third time since 1989, a transition will take place following presidential elections, which we all trust will be entirely peaceful. Spain supports that process from a threefold perspective. First, with respect to the electoral process itself, we are participating in the mission of the Organization of American States with four observers, as well as with financial resources. Our second level of support concerns the political realm, through our active participation in the Group of Friends of Haiti, as well as through the Friends of the Economic and Social Council, and of course by promoting the important missions of the Club de Madrid, which have received financial support from the European Union, whose aim is to further dialogue. The third important arm of our support for Haiti is through Spain’s official development assistance. Spain has provided €255 million, or nearly $300 million, in total official development assistance to Haiti for reconstruction since the earthquake, and Haiti remains a priority country for Spanish cooperation, which has allocated €159 million, most of which has already been released, for the period 2015-2017. That means that Spain has maintained, and will maintain, its commitment to Haiti, which remains the leading recipient of Spain’s official development assistance in the world. With respect to the 9 August elections, they were indeed more peaceful than previous iterations, as the British representative has indicated, but it is no less true that there were incidents of violence in 13 per cent of the polling places. I would like to believe that, without the presence of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), there would have been more such incidents. For that reason, Spain believes that MINUSTAH’s continued presence in the country is, and will remain, absolutely fundamental for the establishment of the new Administration and for ensuring a peaceful transition. Spain therefore supports the renewal of MINUSTAH’s mandate for another year and, as the Secretary-General recommends, the retention of the number of authorized personnel that we deem essential to enable the Mission to fulfil its mandate. Spain also fully supports the deployment of the evaluation mission that the Secretary-General proposes in his report in order to assess the role and presence of the United Nations in Haiti once MINUSTAH has fulfilled its mission. Spain agrees on the importance of that evaluation being shared with the new Haitian Government in order to ensure the successful transition to a post-conciliation phase. For that reason, it makes sense for the evaluation mission to be deployed once the new Government has been constituted and after the new Government, with MINUSTAH’s support, has ushered in a period of stability, Spain has always maintained in its statements to the Council that decisions respecting MINUSTAH should be taken with flexibility. Stability will not be guaranteed with the last round of elections on 27 December. We need to give the country more time in order for Haiti’s political, economic and social stability to become fully established. Haiti is entering a crucial year. It is will be vital for the Security Council to closely follow the evolution in Haiti, and Spain will likely propose that the Council, in due time, hold consultations to closely examine the results of the evaluation mission that will travel to Haiti early next year to define the fundamental parameters of the final phase of MINUSTAH’s mandate. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor the representative of Haiti.

I would like at the outset to thank the Security Council for inviting the Government of Haiti to participate in this meeting and to share its response to the report of the Secretary-General (S/2015/667) of 31 August concerning the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Allow me also to express the gratitude of the Haitian Government to Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon for his leadership and for the commitment that he has constantly shown throughout the implementation of MINUSTAH’s mandate. The report he has just submitted to the Council bears ample witness to that. The report is all the more important, coming as it does at a crucial moment. Indeed, Haiti currently faces two major challenges. On the one hand, the country must successfully hold free, inclusive and transparent general elections that will ensure an uneventful political transition in 2016, allow for the consolidation of democracy and securely set the country on the path to modernization and lasting development. On the other hand, it must ensure that the gains achieved through MINUSTAH’s presence in the country over the past 11 years, in particular in the realm of security, are sustained, and it must effectively take the reins as the gradual drawdown and departure of the Mission approaches. The Haitian Government has reviewed the Secretary-General’s observations with the greatest possible interest and has given its close attention to his recommendations. The report paints a fair and balanced picture of the political situation in Haiti, as well as of recent developments concerning the electoral process currently underway, along with the establishment of the rule of law, security, the human rights situation, development activities and the humanitarian situation. The report rightly emphasizes the holding of the long- awaited elections, which are widely regarded as a test, not only for Haiti’s institutions but also for MINUSTAH. The holding of free, transparent, inclusive and secure elections is clearly essential in order to ensure the continuity of Parliament and to consolidate democracy, stability and the rule of law, which are all critical factors for the modernization of the country. With that firm conviction and based on their commitment to the Haitian people, the Head of State, His Excellency Michel Joseph Martelly, and the Government, with the precious help of the international community, in particular the United Nations, have worked tirelessly to create the conditions necessary for holding democratic elections, as the report makes clear. In that regard, the Government welcomes the Secretary-General’s assessment, namely, that the Electoral Council has shown its capacity not only “to manage a highly complex electoral process ... notwithstanding the logistical and financial challenges”, but to do so “inclusively and transparently” (S/2015/667, para. 2). Haitian institutions, as a whole, have fully played their role and have demonstrated their ability to take ownership of and steer the process. The positive role played by the Haitian National Police, among others, in maintaining the climate of security was also mentioned in the report. Haiti has made important progress in the renewal of its democratic institutions, with the holding of the first round of legislative elections, as stated in the report. However, the process is not over yet. If the realization of the first round marks a key step in the political transition process and in the strengthening of democracy, the fact remains that the election on 9 August was only the first step in an electoral cycle that will continue in the coming months. The presidential campaign was officially launched on 9 September. On 25 October, we will have the second round of legislative elections, concomitantly with the first round of the presidential elections, which will be followed by a second round in late December at the same time as the municipal and local elections. From the outset, everything has been done to bolster overall confidence in the integrity of the process. Attaching great respect to the independence and prerogatives of the Provisional Electoral Council, the Government remains convinced that the Provisional Electoral Council, aware of its responsibilities and the importance of what is at stake, will make every effort to meet the expectations of the population, adopting all necessary measures to address the shortcomings noted in the first round by national and international observers, so as to resolve the problems identified. The credibility of the elections is at stake, and their success is critical for the success of the political transition in 2016 and for stability. The Haitian Government takes this opportunity to reiterate its deep gratitude to all friendly countries, all cooperation partners of Haiti and United Nations organizations, in particular the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and MINUSTAH, for their involvement in the holding of the elections. We are grateful for the quality of their support to the Provisional Electoral Council, including additional commitments announced at the donors’ meeting in July, which included the participation of the Prime Minister of Haiti, His Excellency Mr. Evans Paul. We are confident that they will continue to stand by the Haitian people at this critical juncture by helping the Electoral Council to remedy the existing gaps in the financial, technical and logistical resources that are needed to prepare the next phase of the elections, which will be decisive in nature. Allow me to express the gratitude of the Haitian Government to ​the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, which has just announced on 18 September a contribution of $1 million to the UNDP trust fund for the holding of the elections of 25 October. The Secretary-General’s report mentions several other positive developments since the last visit to Haiti by the members of the Security Council in January. You, Mr. President, were there. These advances include, inter alia, the significant improvement in security, the promotion and defence of human rights, the establishment of the rule of law and the strengthening of institutions, which are the guarantors of, among others, the Superior Council of the Judiciary and the National Police, whose numbers continue to increase, with a target of 16,000 members by 2016, in accordance with the objectives established by the Organization’s development plan. While progress may seem slow, prison reform is also under way. The implementation of the new Penal Code should help to contribute to the overall progress. Alongside those various capacity-building initiatives, the Haitian Government welcomes MINUSTAH’s participation in a wide range of projects focused on the reduction and prevention of violence, the fight against poverty, meeting the needs of vulnerable groups and young people and communities at risk, the establishment of legal aid offices, and the labour-intensive activities focused on the development of infrastructure or on environmental protection, not to mention the support given to electoral awareness campaigns. Furthermore, the Government takes notes of what the report describes as a significant deterioration in the humanitarian situation, while condemning the reduction of the funding of such activities, which has had the effect of limiting the ability of the United Nations system and its partners to respond satisfactorily to all kinds of challenges. Two of those challenges are a source of major concern: the upsurge in cholera cases, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the tensions that have arisen in Haitian-Dominican relations, following the repatriation to Haiti of migrants and the descendants of Haitian migrants. The Government supports the call of the Secretary-General for revitalizing an action plan to eradicate cholera. With respect to the relations between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the Government fully supports a resumption of dialogue between the two parties, as the Secretary-General has suggested, in order to find a solution that guarantees that all migrants will enjoy respect for their human dignity and the protection of their human rights, while promoting the resumption of cooperation in all areas between the two countries. After overcoming a host of obstacles that have threatened to derail the electoral process, the Haitian Government welcomes the prospect of the upcoming installation of the fiftieth legislature and a peaceful and calm political transition in a climate of restored security. The primary objective of MINUSTAH, which is to foster sustainable stability, as outlined in the mandate established by resolution 1542 (2004) and confirmed by subsequent Security Council resolutions, is in the process of being achieved. A new order is emerging in Haiti. The country is calm, with stronger institutions. We are focusing on the fundamental issues: modernizing economic and social structures, reducing poverty, substantially reducing unemployment, promoting education and human rights, protecting the environment and increasing investment with a view to ensuring stronger and more sustained growth and sustainable development. In his address on 1 October to the General Assembly, the President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Michel Joseph Martelly, said the following (see A/70/PV.22): “The progress achieved in recent years in Haiti has been made possible thanks in part to the support of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. Those achievements represent a notable contribution to the country’s stability without which no prospect of economic modernization or sustainable development can be seriously considered. MINUSTAH is in the process of adapting to a new context, different from the one in which it was established. The Haitian Government is opting for a reconfiguration plan that takes into account the evolving situation on the ground. I reiterate our hope to see the progressive and ordered withdrawal of troops continue. The withdrawal and transfer of military, police and development responsibilities to Haitian institutions will be made in accordance with an agreed calendar. This will prevent any damaging vacuum in the internal and external security of the country.” At the time of the forthcoming political transition and the installation of a new Government in 2016, the Haitian Government is supporting a reconfiguration of the mandate, together with the transfer at an appropriate pace of the responsibilities of MINUSTAH to the national authorities. This transfer should take into account at each stage the progress made and also the existing vulnerabilities, so as to avoid any premature withdrawal that could create a vacuum in the security situation, as the Secretary General has constantly reminded us. The key is to ensure maximum flexibility in terms of the withdrawal and the implementation of the reconfiguration plan. The Haitian Government has specifically noted in the Secretary-General’s report the following passage: “I recommend that the Security Council extend the mandate of MINUSTAH for an additional and possibly final year, until 15 October 2016, with the current authorized uniformed strengths of 2,370 troops and 2,601 police officers. Following the completion of the electoral process and the installation of a new President, I propose to carry out a strategic assessment of the situation in Haiti, including the degree of stability throughout the country and the professionalism and strength of the national police, with a view to presenting the Council with recommendations on the future presence and role of the United Nations in Haiti ahead of the expiration of the Mission’s mandate in 2016. Without prejudice to the outcome of the strategic assessment, I anticipate that, if the recent positive trends continue, the nature of the United Nations presence in Haiti will evolve significantly, including its security posture” (S/2015/667, para. 65). The people and the Government of Haiti attach particular value to the prominent role the United Nations has played in Haiti in recent years, particularly within the framework of MINUSTAH. This is an opportunity for me to commend, in this regard, the quality and scope of the work done by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Sandra Honoré. In exceptionally difficult circumstances, Ms. Honoré has always shown composure, poise and intelligence where others would probably have yielded to the temptation of alarmism and trepidation. I appreciate Ms. Honoré’s steadfastness and her understanding of the complexities of my country. I would like to salute once again the efforts of the Secretary-General, whose report will certainly be a valuable contribution to the deliberations and decisions of the Council concerning the composition and future of MINUSTAH, I wish to reiterate the Haitian Government’s determination to continue to work closely with the Security Council and the Secretariat for the full realization of the MINUSTAH mandate, which is to assist the Haitian people and their Government in their quest for lasting stability based on the rule of law and democratic institutions.

I now give the floor to the representative of Guatemala.

It is a pleasure for Guatemala to participate in this debate organized by the Spanish presidency. We wish Spain every success during its term throughout October. I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome the presence of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ambassador Sandra Honoré, and thank her for her detailed report (S/2015/667). She knows that she can count on the full support of Guatemala. I also wish to thank the representative of Haiti for his valuable statement. We are pleased to hear that Haiti is experiencing a period of general stability, which presents a window of opportunity for the country to move to a more sustainable path of economic growth and political development. A week ago we listened with great interest in the General Assembly to President Martelly (A/70/PV.22), who told us that progress in his country, as Ambassador Régis just emphasized, was made possible in large part thanks to the support of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). He also said that the electoral process — initiated on 9 August and due to continue until 25 October — was a good indicator for measuring the performance and success of the Mission over the past 11 years. It is an assessment that we share, because these elections are an opportunity for the Haitian authorities, including the Haitian National Police, to show their ability to manage this complex national electoral process without relying on MINUSTAH, and, similarly, because they will result in the third democratic transfer of power in Haiti. This historical experience also reminds us of the need to establish and make operational a permanent electoral council to keep a record of the many best practices evidenced during this election cycle, taking into account the frequency and regularity with which elections are held in Haiti, as required by its Constitution. It is also important if Haiti is to gradually reduce its dependence on international electoral assistance. Looking to the future, elected officials must be held to account in terms of the tangible results hoped for by the people who chose them as their leaders. . The progress and achievements made to date will make a difference in Haiti so long as they are significantly reflected in the standard of living of the entire population. Accordingly, we must continue to invest in socioeconomic programmes aimed at reducing inequalities and providing humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable populations. We view with great concern the recent humanitarian appeal launched by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in August highlighting the triple threat that the country is currently facing: mixed migration flows, a cholera epidemic and food insecurity and malnutrition. With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we have the opportunity to redouble our efforts to ensure that nobody is left behind and that all populations enjoy a better future. On the issue of safety, we believe that strengthening the Haitian National Police remains central to guaranteeing security and stability throughout the country. The key aspects of fulfilling this task are are increasing the number of troops in 2016, fully implementing the current plan for the Haitian National Police and developing the next five-year plan with a view to fostering the protection of human rights, accountability and the maintenance of beneficial cooperation with MINUSTAH. We look forward to the results of the strategic assessment to be carried out by the Secretary-General next year. This should only be done once the new Government has been installed, in order to allow for a period of stability and provide an opportunity for deciding how the United Nations should support the country’s institutions in the future. It is our expectation that the process will focus on consolidating achievements and will take into account the realities on the ground. In conclusion, Guatemala supports the recommendation of the Secretary-General on the extension of the MINUSTAH mandate for a further year. We assure the Permanent Representative of Haiti of the full support of Guatemala for his goals and for the increasing stability and development of his country.

I now give the floor to the representative of Brazil.

We thank the Spanish delegation for organizing this very important debate on the situation in the brotherly nation of Haiti. (spoke in French) I would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Sandra Honoré, for her briefing and reiterate the gratitude and respect of my Government for her leadership and her ongoing support for the strengthening of peace and democracy in Haiti. I thank Ambassador Denis Régis of Haiti for his statement. I take this opportunity to once again thank the members of the Council for the many messages of condolence following the recent death on 30 August of Lieutenant-General José Luis Jaborandy, Jr., the former Force Commander of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). At a recent meeting of troop-contributing countries, the President of Brazil, Ms. Dilma Rousseff, while acknowledging his passing, stressed his professional and personal qualities as well as his valuable contribution to stability in Haiti. Following an accelerated selection process, the new Force Commander, Lieutenant-General Ajax Porto Pinheiro, has already arrived in Port-au-Prince and will soon assume his duties. We welcome the holding of the first round of the legislative elections on 9 August in a relatively stable environment, while regretting the incidents that led to loss of life as well as the disruptions in certain polling stations. The handling of the electoral process by Haitian authorities helps to normalize the exercise of legislative power. Furthermore, we are convinced that for the third time in a row a democratically elected President will lead the country on the path towards sustainable development, stability and peace. Brazil in cooperation with the international community will continue to support the efforts of the Haitian Government to hold the local, legislative and presidential elections under way. On the basis of our own experience in Brazil, we believe that respect for the democratic process is a prerequisite for the development and the continuation of the progress observed in recent years in Haiti. Besides the financial contribution being made to the electoral process, Ambassador Celso Amorim, former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defence of Brazil, will lead the electoral observation mission of the Organization of American States in Haiti during the upcoming presidential elections. (spoke in English) Brazil supports the Secretary-General’s assessment regarding stability and security in Haiti, while recognizing that there are still reasons for concern with respect to security, including in the context of the ongoing electoral process. We also support the recommended extension of the mandate of MINUSTAH for an additional year, until 15 October 2016, with the maintenance of the current troop and police levels. The military and police components have a relevant role in the logistics and security operation. As stated in the Secretary-General’s latest report (S/2015/667), it is important to keep them as mobile and visible as possible. We concur with the Secretary-General’s proposal for a new strategic assessment of the situation in Haiti as a basis for his making recommendations on the future United Nations presence in the country. It is important to undertake the assessment after the formation of a new Government and for the reconfiguration process to be guided solely by the conditions on the ground and by the need to preserve the progress made in the past 11 years. Despite the enhanced performance of the Haitian National Police (HNP) in preventing crimes and controlling civil unrest, it is worth underlining that the force has yet to reach the target of 15,000 officers by the end of 2016. Furthermore, only 8 of the 70 goals of the 2012-2016 HNP Development Plan have been fully met. We encourage the HNP to continue to benefit from the MINUSTAH efforts to ensure a successful handover of responsibility for security in critical areas. Brazil also believes that MINUSTAH should keep its mandated tools to develop community violence reduction programmes and quick-impact projects as well as an adequate engineering capability. The experience of Haiti has clearly shown that such activities directly benefit the local population and assist in confidence-building in the peace process and the Mission throughout its life cycle. Any future presence of the Organization in Haiti should take this success story into account and ensure the continuity of such activities, so as to contribute to the sustainability of the reconstruction efforts. The humanitarian situation continues to raise concern. Although there is a downward trend in the number of internally displaced people, currently at 60,000, there was an increase in the number of new cholera cases — 20,000 cases and 175 deaths — and a worsening of the levels of food and nutrition insecurity in rural areas, mainly due to drought and the effects of the El Niño phenomenon. In this scenario, the international community’s relationship with Haiti should increasingly be guided by the establishment of partnerships capable of improving the living conditions of Haitians. The Brazilian Government is committed to maintaining its humanitarian cooperation efforts as well as the current special immigration policy for Haitians. We expanded our capacity to issue permanent visas in Port-au-Prince, with the support of the International Organization for Migration, to ensure an appropriate entry and a dignified welcome for those migrants in our country. Currently, close to 2,000 permanent visas are issued per month by the Embassy in Port-au-Prince. A similar measure has already resulted in a decreased flow of immigrants across the border in the state of Acre in northern Brazil and has been an effective tool against human traffickers. We believe that the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission could support the stabilization and development efforts in Haiti. There are important elements for Haiti’s development and stability that deserve more careful consideration. Among those elements, let me highlight two areas that we believe will continue to be at the core of our collective support for Haiti and that may play a constructive role during the transition, namely, improved access to justice and poverty reduction. Improved access to justice should empower the weakest and the poorest, especially through the effectiveness of social rights, and produce tangible dividends for the most vulnerable. We welcome the Haitian Government’s allocation of resources to guarantee the continuation of the important work of the Bureau d’assistance légale, which has been supported by the MINUSTAH community violence reduction programme. Brazil also welcomes the revised United Nations Integrated Strategic Framework for Haiti and its alignment with Haitian priorities. The challenge henceforth is to make the gains of recent years sustainable, while the country moves forward, increasing stability and making institutional, economic and social progress. (spoke in French) As Ambassador Régis has said, a new order is currently emerging in Haiti. Brazil continues its commitment towards our Haitian brothers and sisters in their efforts to build a future of democratic stability and sustainable development.

I now give the floor to the Head of delegation of the European Union.

It is an honour to take the floor on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its member States. I thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2015/667) and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for her briefing. I would also like to thank the Permanent Representative of Haiti for his statement. Turkey, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania, candidate countries, endorse this statement. Haiti is committed to a delicate process of democratic renewal, which is a precondition for the success of the huge development efforts made by the country in recent years, especially since the disastrous earthquake in 2010. The country is seeking to consolidate its as yet fragile gains in democracy. Grave social and economic inequalities persist. The efforts of all to ensure stability and security remain paramount. The EU remains a faithful partner of the Republic of Haiti and is determined to act in unison with the other partners to support the country in the current delicate phase. After the 2010 earthquake, the EU stepped up its efforts to support the reconstruction and consolidation of the country, particularly of its infrastructure, administration and economy. We welcome the continued decline in the number of internally displaced persons still living in camps, but grave humanitarian needs still persist. As a result, the EU has decided to maintain its humanitarian response programme again in Haiti this year, with €11.6 million committed to meeting the needs of persons still displaced, helping to keep the cholera epidemic under control and assisting in a sustainable manner the victims of food insecurity in the rural population. The European Union also supports the 2015-2016 transitional appeal recently launched by the Haitian authorities and the United Nations, which puts resilience at the heart of its strategy. The European Union and Government of Haiti signed a national indicative programme of assistance for the period from 2014 to 2020 amounting to €420 million, a testament to the European Union’s continued commitment to supporting the Government in its strategy for development and socioeconomic recovery. The European Union and the Government of Haiti will continue to cooperate in order to improve the country’s financial capacity to promote administrative reform, better budget management, a strengthened State and governance and support for the implementation of national policies in the areas of education, food security and infrastructure and urban development. Together, we are preparing a joint humanitarian development framework. The European Union remains open to conducting a dialogue with the relevant United Nations humanitarian agencies in order to discuss concrete opportunities for cooperation. Haiti cannot afford any major new political or security crises and must ensure that the progress it makes cannot be reversed. The European Union welcomes the start of the electoral process, which represents a fundamental step in the right direction, despite the violent incidents and irregularities that occurred during the first stage of the elections on 9 August. The process of restoring the country’s democratic institutions should continue in an atmosphere of peace, inclusiveness, transparency and equality, and it is essential to ensure that that is what will prevail during the next phase of the elections, in order to improve the whole process and avoid the violence and irregularities of the first. The European Union has made a substantial contribution to this process through a grant of €5 million to the election fund managed by the United Nations Development Programme. We have also deployed, as we did during the 2010 elections, an election observation mission of about 80 people. Together with the Club of Madrid, the European Union has also been conducting a programme of discussion and advice, aimed at a large number of institutional actors and representatives of civil society. The security situation remains delicate. The European Union believes it is essential to ensure a more stable and inclusive political climate. The role of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSТAH) remains absolutely crucial. The European Union believes that MINUSTAH’s presence and its active participation, in particular, in securing the upcoming elections in October and December is essential. It can make a very significant contribution to ensuring peace and stability throughout the electoral process and thus supporting a peaceful political transition. I would like to express the European Union’s appreciation for MINUSTAH’s important contribution to stabilizing security and consolidating democracy and the rule of law in Haiti. We remain committed to supporting the efforts of the Haitian authorities, the United Nations and the international community to ensure a better future for all the people of Haiti. Since this is the last time I will address the Security Council in my capacity as Head of the Delegation of the European Union, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Council through you, Mr. President, for the splendid cooperation it has shown to the European Union and its delegation here in New York over the past four years.

I have been informed that this is the last time that the observer of the European Union will take the floor in the Council, and I believe I am conveying the sentiments not only of the members of the Council but of all the members of the United Nations represented here today, which reflect our sadness at the departure of an Ambassador who has done his job admirably first as Ambassador of Austria and since then of the European Union. He has consistently displayed skill and ability. I know he has earned the full respect of every member of the United Nations. He is a man of much experience whom we will miss. On behalf of us all, I would like to wish him every happiness in his future professional and personal life. I now give the floor to the representative of Colombia.

Since this is the first time I have taken the floor of the Council under your presidency, Sir, I would like to congratulate you and your country and wish you a successful month. I would like to heartily thank Ms. Sandra Honoré, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for her detailed briefing and her ongoing commitment, to which we can testify first- hand. Colombia associates itself with the statement to be delivered by the Ambassador of Uruguay on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti. As others have before me, I would like to express our condolences to the Government and people of Brazil and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) on the death of General José Luiz Jaborandy, Jr., who worked so tirelessly and with such dedication at the helm of MINUSTAH. Achieving security, stability and better conditions for the Haitian people, as well as strengthening its democracy’s institutional capacities, must continue to be a priority of the international community’s commitment to Haiti. We were pleased with the results of the first round of legislative elections on 9 August, since despite some violent outbreaks, reflected in a somewhat low turnout — which we hope will improve in the second round — we can acknowledge the Government of Haiti’s commitment and effort in stabilizing its democratic institutions and holding the elections. The important work done by the Provisional Electoral Council and the Haitian National Police deserves special mention, and we are sure they will also perform well during the presidential election and the second round of legislative elections, which will take place very soon. We acknowledge the progress that Haiti has made in such areas as security, reducing violence, relocating people in the camps — where a lot of progress has been made — and economic growth, among others, but, as others have said, the challenges to development remain huge and the international community must continue its support. In addition to organizing bilateral cooperation programmes in the areas of agriculture and infrastructure, Colombia has assisted Haiti by contributing police to MINUSTAH. Our contribution includes institutional advice, operational support, prevention through checkpoints, training in police academies, investigations by the judiciary police and community outreach. We intend to continue training a group of female Haitian police officers in Colombia. I would also like to inform the Council that in accordance with the commitment made by President Juan Manuel Santos Calderón on 28 September, Colombia will expand its support to MINUSTAH, as Ms. Honoré said, with another 58 police officers accredited by the United Nations. In that regard, I would like to thank the Canadian Government for sending us instructors to provide accelerated training for those officers. There are still many challenges ahead, however, as the Secretary-General’s report (S/2015/667) indicates. Any decisions on MINUSTAH should be based exclusively on the conditions on the ground, and only after the strategic assessment mission that the Secretary-General will soon put together has made its recommendations. I reiterate that we must at all costs safeguard the gains achieved, and, in line with the report, we think that, before we take any action, the new Government should have a reasonable period to consolidate stability. In conclusion, I want to reiterate Colombia’s support for the invaluable work of MINUSTAH, which seeks to ensure the sustainable well-being of the Haitian people. That is why my country is in favour of a one-year extension of MINUSTAH’s mandate at the same military and police level — as you said, Mr. President — with the goal of strengthening the rule of law, good governance and the level of safety and welfare of the Haitian people.

I now give the floor to the representative of Uruguay.

Allow me, first of all, to convey my delegation’s satisfaction to see the Permanent Representative of Spain in the presidency of the Security Council. I would also like to extend my condolences to the United Nations and the Government of Brazil on the passing of Lieutenant General Jaborandy. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Guatemala, Peru, United States of America, Venezuela and my country, Uruguay. I commend you, Mr. President, for organizing this debate to discuss the recent report of the Secretary- General on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) (S/2015/667). The Group of Friends welcomes the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Haiti, Ms. Sandra Honoré, and thanks her for her comprehensive briefing and for all her hard work. Strengthening the rule of law and democratic institutions, establishing a political culture conducive to democratic stability and improving socioeconomic conditions are the key elements needed to achieve greater stability and prosperity in Haiti. In that regard, the Group of Friends welcomes the organization of the first round of legislative elections that took place on 9 August 2015 in a relatively peaceful environment. We acknowledge the steps taken by the Haitian institutions to take corrective measures to address the irregularities identified and to improve the upcoming rounds of elections. We also note the important role that the Government of Haiti, the Electoral Council and the political parties must play in ensuring that the upcoming round of elections are conducted in a free, fair, peaceful and democratic manner and in accordance with the electoral law. The Group of Friends calls on all Haitian stakeholders to engage constructively, exercise maximum restraint and work peacefully together in order to maintain confidence in the electoral process. It also welcomes the efforts carried out by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in that regard. The Group also welcomes Ms. Honoré’s efforts to promote an ongoing dialogue among all national stakeholders aimed at strengthening the ongoing political process and mitigating the risk to Haitian democratic institutions. We thank her also for her efforts to convince the diplomatic and international community to continue contributing in a coordinated manner so as to encourage political dialogue. The Group of Friends recalls the Security Council’s mission to Haiti in January 2015, which was conducted in accordance with the provisions of its terms of reference (S/2015/40) and whose primary objective was to reaffirm the continued support of the Council for the Government and people of Haiti, highlighting the importance of an inclusive and constructive climate for political stability, democratic governance and development, and urging all political parties to work cooperatively. The Group of Friends recognizes that the security situation in Haiti is generally stable and underscores the importance of condition-based security-related decisions about the future of MINUSTAH. We also note that incidents of sporadic violence occurred during the first round of elections, although no increase was noted in the levels of insecurity or violence in the departments from which the military component had withdrawn. The Group recognizes the increased capacity of the Haitian National Police, and believes that the presence of MINUSTAH remains important for ensuring security and stability in Haiti. In the light of Haiti’s current security challenges, including those related to the current elections, the Secretary-General should continue to closely monitor the situation on the ground. In accordance with his latest report, the Secretary- General should conduct a strategic assessment mission to Haiti, preferably within 90 days after the inauguration of the new President and ideally after the formation of a new Government, so as to be able to present recommendations to the Council on the future presence and role of the United Nations in Haiti. The Group of Friends reiterates the importance of the commitment on the part of the Government of the Haiti to strengthen the rule of law and to make further progress in strengthening the judiciary and security sectors. In that regard, the Group would like to welcome the ongoing strengthening, professionalization and reform of the Haitian National Police, and we reiterate that capacity-building in the form of police training should remain the most critical task for MINUSTAH. We also note the partial progress in the implementation of the five-year Haitian National Police Development Plan (2012-2016). The Group of Friends acknowledges the progress in the judicial sector. However, it is urgently necessary to reduce lengthy pretrial detentions and to eliminate inhumane conditions of detention. We have to achieve accountability and end impunity, including for past human rights violations. The Group of Friends also calls on the Ministry of Justice to continue its efforts to deal with the issue of prolonged pretrial detention. In that connection, the Group of Friends welcomes Operation “Coup de Poing”. Despite the willingness shown by the Haitian authorities to engage with international human rights mechanisms, the limited national capacity for human rights protection remains a concern, as well as the fact that the new Government no longer includes a Minister/ Delegate for Human Rights and Extreme Poverty. The Group of Friends notes the launching of the national policy of the Haitian Government on equality between women and men. The Group of Friends notes the continuing work done by the Government of Haiti, MINUSTAH and others to protect members of vulnerable groups, and calls for greater attention by all stakeholders to the prevention of and reduction in violent crimes, particularly against women and children, including rape and other crimes of sexual violence. The Group of Friends notes with concern the increasing number of reported rapes in the past two reporting periods. We also urge Haitian citizens to continue reporting such crimes so that the allegations can be investigated and those responsible can be held to account. In that sense, the Group also supports ongoing efforts to reduce violence by promoting the well-being of at-risk youth and vulnerable communities. The Group of Friends continues to support the attention accorded to gender issues and to child protection. The Group of Friends also expresses concerns about the continuing humanitarian challenges, including living conditions in the remaining camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs). The Group of Friends welcomes the significant progress made during 2015 regarding the resettlement of people displaced by the 2010 earthquake, but it should be underscored that the funding to provide basic services and relocation subsidies for the remaining IDPs is no longer available. The Group of Friends notes with concern that food insecurity as a result of the drought and the resulting decrease in the harvest during the period from March to June could impact the humanitarian situation and stability. The ongoing efforts to eliminate the cholera epidemic remind us of the importance of sustaining cooperation between the international community and the Government of Haiti so as to meet the needs of the Haitian people. In this regard, the Group recalls the United Nations two-year plan focused on short-term actions in support of the 10-year national plan for the elimination of cholera in Haiti. Likewise, the Group of Friends of Haiti acknowledges the efforts of the donor community and calls upon donors to fulfil without delay the pledges made. The Group of Friends welcomes the first meeting of the High-level Committee on Cholera since the change of Government that took place in January, co-chaired by Prime Minister Evans Paul and Special Representative of the Secretary-General Sandra Honoré, and notes that the increase in cholera cases reported at the end of 2014 and in the first four months of 2015 began showing signs of reversal in May. Unfortunately, the situation remains of concern in the departments of Ouest, Centre, Artibonite and Nord, which accounted for more than 80 per cent of the total number of cases between March and August. The Group of Friends of Haiti reiterates its commitment to the United Nations zero-tolerance policy of sexual exploitation and abuse, and in this regard expects all United Nations personnel to adhere to the highest standards of conduct. The Group urges all actors involved to assume their responsibilities in order to prevent such cases, investigate allegations and hold those responsible accountable. The Group notes with concern that the International Monetary Fund reports that the reduction of international cooperation could put growth in Haiti significantly at risk. The Group is also concerned about alarming and persistent food insecurity in the country and the limited capacity of the State to generate revenues, which greatly affects the public finances. The Group stresses that there can be no genuine stability or sustainable development in Haiti without strengthened democratic institutions and credible democratic processes. In that context, the Group emphasizes the importance of promoting the rule of law through the strengthening of Haitian institutions, and further reaffirms the responsibility of MINUSTAH for supporting the Haitian State by promoting improved governance structures, the extension of State authority and the promotion and protection of human rights, in accordance with its mandate. The Group of Friends reaffirms its solidarity with and commitment to the people and Government of Haiti in their pursuit of stability, reconstruction, recovery, socioeconomic development and democratic consolidation. The Group of Friends of Haiti acknowledges the important role of MINUSTAH in ensuring stability and security in Haiti, and expresses its support for and recognition to the women and men of MINUSTAH for their dedication and tireless efforts to support recovery and stability in Haiti.

I give the floor to the representative of Peru.

At the outset, let me thank you, Sir, for your leadership of the Security Council and for convening this debate. I also welcome the presence of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Haiti, Sandra Honoré, and thank her for introducing the report of the Secretary- General on the situation in Haiti (S/2015/677). Peru is committed to strengthening the security, stability, sustainable development and institutional strengthening of Haiti. My country has therefore participated in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) since 2004 and intends to continue contributing to the operation, which is the only United Nations peacekeeping mission deployed in the Americas. My delegation endorses the statement made by the representative of Uruguay on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti, especially as regards the recognition of the important work being done by MINUSTAH in support of the stabilization and security of Haiti and the strengthening of democratic institutions and the rule of law in that country. I shall make just a few additional comments in my national capacity. Peru welcomes the holding in August of the first round of legislative elections in Haiti, and hopes that it can adhere without problem to the electoral timetable for the presidential, legislative, municipal and local elections scheduled for the coming months. These elections represent a milestone in the process of democratic consolidation in Haiti. We therefore reiterate our call on all Haitian political forces to cooperate with the Government and the national electoral institutions in the convening of the elections, and to actively participate in them. Peru reiterates its firm conviction that decisions on the future of MINUSTAH should be made exclusively on the basis of the conditions on the ground. While the security situation in Haiti remains stable thanks to the crucial support of MINUSTAH, the situation is still fairly complex given the increase of protests, political fragmentation, hightened economic crisis, the lack of basic services and a rise in political tensions that are typical of any electoral year. While recognizing the important progress made in the recruitment practices, professionalization and training of the Haitian National Police, the Secretary- General’s report notes that the majority of the goals laid out in the 2012-2016 development plan have yet to be achieved, which is why that institution still lacks the necessary capacity to maintain public order and security of the population throughout the country. We therefore think that the operational and strategic cooperation of MINUSTAH in Haiti remains essential to helping the Haitian authorities in maintaining security and order, as part of the process of stabilization and democratic consolidation in that country. Peru therefore agrees with the Secretary-General on the importance of maintaining for an additional 12 months the authorized troop strength of the military component of MINUSTAH in order to give the Mission the operational capacity necessary to help ensure security in Haiti. We also welcome the Secretary- General’s intention to carry out a strategic assessment of the level of stability in Haiti in order to define the future configuration of the United Nations presence in that country. My delegation agrees that such an assessment should begin after the inauguration of the new democratically elected Government. My delegation has consistently subscribed to the principle of national ownership, in the understanding that peacebuilding must be an inherently national process in which peacekeeping operations support national authorities in implementing their priorities for stabilization and development. To that end, we believe that the new Government to be elected in Haiti must have the opportunity to decide for itself, in a sovereign manner, the nature of the support that it will require in the future, as well how its partnership with the United Nations and the international community is to evolve. Peru therefore believes that it is vital for the Council to take into consideration the position of Haiti when it decides on time frames for the transition in the MINUSTAH mandate, as well as on the nature of the future presence of the United Nations in that country. In conclusion, my delegation reiterates that the significant achievements that MINUSTAH has realized in stabilizing Haiti should not leave the impression that the United Nations work in that country is done. We must not repeat the mistakes of the past when the Organization decided to withdraw its presence from the ground prematurely. For that reason, my country wants MINUSTAH to be able to successfully conclude the mission that it has been carrying out so well free of pressure and artificial deadlines.

I give the floor to the representative of Canada.

I thank you, Mr. President, for giving me the floor. I would like to start by conveying my country’s appreciation to Special Representative of the Secretary-General Sandra Honoré for her statement this morning. We would also like to take this opportunity to offer the condolences of all Canadians to those who knew Lieutenant Jaborandy, Jr., the late Force Commander of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), who tragically passed away a few weeks ago. Canada aligns itself with the statement made by the Ambassador of Uruguay on behalf of the Friends of the Secretary-General for Haiti. (spoke in English) Haiti is at a very critical point in its democratic development. The current electoral process is an opportunity to advance long-term stability and democracy in the country, and it must be seized. We must start today by expressing sadness and offering condolences, on behalf of all Canadians, at the tragic loss of life during the recent election. Canada deplores the acts of violence that led to those situations, and we have encouraged the Haitian authorities to investigate those incidents without delay and to bring the perpetrators to justice. Canada strongly encourages all Haitian political actors to respect democratic principles and contribute to the success of the current electoral process. It is crucial that the Haitian authorities and all political actors work together for the completion of transparent, inclusive, credible and peaceful elections, in keeping with the established calendar. (spoke in French) Canada also reminds all Haitian citizens, and in particular women and young people, of the importance of voting. While we are pleased that many exercised their right to vote during the first round, we hope for greater participation on forthcoming election dates. We also encourage efforts under way to raise voter awareness. (spoke in English) The organization of the first round of legislative elections reflects the efforts of the Provisional Electoral Council, the Government of Haiti and the Haitian National Police, and we very much welcome the progress made. We thank all members of the international community who have also contributed, via both their expertise and their financial resources, to the organization of these elections. (spoke in French) We recognize and appreciate the efforts of MINUSTAH in providing logistical support and other electoral assistance, while stressing the importance of strengthening the capacity of Haitian institutions to take on their full role in the future. (spoke in English) Canada has a long-standing commitment to the people of Haiti and continues to play a leading international role in support of its development and prosperity. Since 2006, Canada has provided more than $1.6 billion in development and humanitarian assistance to the country. We are one of the largest contributors of humanitarian aid that has improved the health, education and economic opportunities for Haitians, especially in the area of maternal, newborn and children’s health. Our future engagements will be strongly anchored in mutual accountability and greater aid coordination to ensure concrete and sustainable results for the Haitian people. We have the responsibility to ensure that aid is delivered in a manner that is effective for those in need and accountable to Haiti, its partners and Canadians in our country. We will continue work with the Haitian Government, the Haitian people and the Haitian diaspora across Canada to achieve that progress, and we will continue to focus our efforts on ensuring that we achieve long-term sustainable development and stand ready to offer our support to the people of Haiti. Canada continues to support the important work of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. For 10 years, MINUSTAH has worked to improve security conditions and contribute to lasting stability in Haiti. Considerable progress has been made in this regard. (spoke in French) Canada supports the recommendation of the Secretary-General that the Mission be maintained at its current levels for a further year, and that a needs assessment mission be conducted once the new Haitian President has been inaugurated and a new Government is in place. (spoke in English) Canada maintains that any further reduction of the United Nations footprint in Haiti must reflect the situation on the ground and the capacity of the Haitian State to deliver security to its population. Indeed, the Haitian National Police (HNP) has demonstrated increasing capacity, and we commend the Government of Haiti, MINUSTAH and the HNP itself for this achievement. Canada is proud to be among the top police contributors to MINUSTAH, including with several specialized teams. We are proud of the contributions we have made to the strengthening and professionalization of Haiti’s police, in particular in the area of training and mentoring. We salute the fellow Member States we are working alongside and urge others to join in this essential work. (spoke in French) Canada welcomes the recent efforts of MINUSTAH and the Government of Haiti to address the problem of long-term preventive detention. We urge the Haitian Government to prioritize the development of the National Police and to prioritize the establishment of an independent and strengthened judicial sector, so that the Haitian people can enjoy the rule of law. (spoke in English) While MINUSTAH is not a permanent solution for security in Haiti, we must avoid mission drawdown scenarios that could jeopardize the results achieved to date, with increased risks to security and stability for all Haitian citizens. Indeed, we want to ensure that MINUSTAH is the last United Nations peacekeeping operation in Haiti, which means we cannot be too hasty in encouraging the departure of the Mission. (spoke in French) Haiti and Haitians deserve a stable, secure and prosperous future, and together we are contributing to making that a reality.

I give the floor to the representative of Mexico.

I thank the Spanish delegation for convening this debate and Ms. Sandra Honoré both for introducing the comprehensive report of the Secretary-General (S/2015/677) and for her leadership of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) at a highly critical moment for the future of the country. This debate is particularly relevant for Mexico because it is our first participation since Mexican military personnel were deployed to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. My delegation is pleased to note that the situation in Haiti has seen progress in security, the strengthening of the rule of law and the training of Haitian National Police (HNP), and above all that the long-postponed first round of legislative elections was able to take place in a relatively peaceful environment, making it one of the most important milestones for Haitians of recent years. We are pleased to have been able to support the conduct of the elections through financial contributions to the Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States, and the basket fund for elections in Haiti administered by the United Nations Programme for Development. We commend MINUSTAH personnel for having provided special protection to the candidates following the agreement between the Mission and the Ministry for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights. The August elections are testimony to the growing capacity of institutions in Haiti to assume greater responsibility in the democratic life of the country. We call on all political actors in Haiti to act in the same spirit to ensure that the next round of elections is free, fair, inclusive and transparent. Mexico hopes that institution-building, especially in terms of the HNP, will remain the cornerstone of efforts to reconfigure the United Nations presence in the country. We also consider it essential that, in addition to playing a security role, MINUSTAH and the United Nations agencies in Haiti continue to provide socioeconomic alternatives to bolster progress in other key areas in the daily lives of the Haitian people. The prevention of sexual violence and quick-impact projects focused on strengthening the rule of law and good governance are just some of the items with a significant multiplier factor. However, my delegation remains concerned about the humanitarian situation. Public health problems are hot spots at any stage of national reconstruction and rehabilitation, and it is important that the Haitian authorities and the international community ensure that those challenges do not become additional obstacles for lack of proper care. We welcome the decision to reactivate the High-level Committee on Cholera, since, according to Haiti’s national statistics, that disease remains a major challenge in several departments of the country. Mexico supports the recommendation of the Secretary-General to extend the MINUSTAH mandate for another year without any change in the number of troops. We share the nearly unanimous efforts of the Group of Friends of Haiti to ensure that MINUSTAH’s force reduction is progressive, not accelerated, and prudent rather than hasty. We strongly welcome the coherence, consistency and commitment shown over the past 10 years by Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Guatemala,\ during periodic assessments of the presence and future of MINUSTAH. Mexico believes that the reduction and eventual withdrawal of the Mission from Haiti must be anchored in a coordinated transition plan among MINUSTAH, the States Members of the United Nations — especially the troop- and police-contributing countries — and, above all, the Haitian Government. We also appreciate the recommendation of the Secretary-General that a strategic assessment on the future presence of the Organization be undertaken, based on the progress made over the past 11 years, the degree of stability in the country and the capacity of the Haitian National Police to assume its growing responsibility. In our opinion, that assessment should occur once the electoral process is complete and once the new President and Parliament have taken office. We are inspired by the progress made by the Haitian people. The update of the situation in the country that was given to Haiti’s partners by a number of Haitian ministers last week reflects broad progress in various areas. These periodic reports are important for maintaining relations between Haiti and its partners in the international community, in the public and private sectors, and for continuing to consolidate stability and democracy. As we assess the future relationship between Haiti and the United Nations, we believe that the Peacebuilding Commission could be, if the Haitian Government sees fit, the structure under which the relationship could be further enhanced. Haiti’s experience could contribute decisively to the development of other countries emerging from conflict. Whatever the path charted by Haiti and the international community for their future relationship, we are sure that this Council will continue taking appropriate decisions that enable the consolidation of progress. Mexico’s commitment to development and stability in Haiti, at the bilateral level, with the United Nations and through the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti of the Economic and Social Council is for the long term.

I now give the floor to the representative of Argentina.

I would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Sandra Honoré, for introducing the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and to acknowledge her work and the results that she has been achieving as she helps to strengthen dialogue and institutions in Haiti. I would also like to thank the Permanent Representative of Haiti, Ambassador Denis Régis, and his active delegation. Likewise, I would like to reiterate our condolences to the family of Lieutenant General Jaborandy. I would also like to welcome the new Force Commander, Lieutenant General, Ajax Porto Pinheiro, and Commissioner Serge Therriault. When the Council considered the situation in Haiti in March this year (see S/PV.7408), we were pleased because Haiti had taken decisive steps toward the holding of elections, thanks to the effort, the dialogue and the joint work carried out by political players and the Haitian people. Today, with the electoral process already underway and the first round of elections held on 9 August, what remains to be done is to encourage the Haitian authorities and people to continue along the path to democracy, organizing and carrying out the general presidential elections on 25 October in a peaceful and transparent manner, in accordance with the law. With respect to the report of the Secretary-General, we welcome the fact that the Provisional Electoral Council was able to manage the complex electoral process last August in an inclusive and transparent manner, with the support of the Haitian National Police and MINUSTAH. However, with a view to upcoming general elections, we would like to call attention to what the Secretary-General said with respect to the fact that despite relative calm during the campaign, there was an increase in incidents of insecurity during the last days, due to an upsurge in politically motivated killings. We note the actions by MINUSTAH’s personnel. MINUSTAH continued to work hard, although it had to prioritize specific areas in order to comply with its mandate owing to a reduction it personnel in accordance with resolution 2180 (2014). In line with what was recommended in the Secretary-General’s report, Argentina supports the renewal of MINUSTAH’s mandate for another year, with the current number of troops and civilian personnel, so as to complete the electoral process, which must end in December by holding the second round of presidential elections, if necessary, swearing in the new President in March 2016 and establishing a new Government. That will be the most appropriate time for the Secretary- General to assess the general security conditions on the ground, make recommendations and listen to the opinion of Haiti’s new Government with regard to the Mission’s activities and presence in the country, or to consider the option of reconfiguring its presence to reflect the circumstances. Taking a decision before the end of the electoral period or thinking about restructuring the Mission without waiting for the new Haitian authorities to be elected and assume their functions would be risky and dangerous. We believe that it is important to proceed with caution and take decisions on the basis of conditions on the ground to make it possible to successfully conclude the only peacekeeping operation currently deployed in the Americas. We understand that MINUSTAH cannot remain in Haiti for longer than is necessary. It must remain for as long as is required by the democratic Haitian Government. At the same time, we believe that it is important to learn lessons from the past and bear in mind the consequences of a hasty withdrawal, which in the past caused the Council to retrace the path it had already taken. When conditions on the ground allow, Argentina will be ready to assist the United Nations presence in Haiti to restructure itself in a way that is more geared toward strengthening institutions, always working alongside the Haitian people and Government so that democracy, human rights, security and peace will be established in the country once and for all.

I now give the floor to the Ambassador of Jamaica.

I address this Council on behalf of the 14 member States of the Caribbean Community, CARICOM. CARICOM welcomes and appreciates the comprehensive report of Ambassador Sandra Honoré, Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Haiti. We note with interest her comments on developments in Haiti, especially as they relate to the first round of parliamentary elections that were held in August. We also thank the Secretary- General for his report, S/2015/667, on the mandate of MINUSTAH during this reporting period. CARICOM is very much encouraged by the recent developments in Haiti during this transformative period, and particularly by the conduct of elections. This augurs well for the prospects for the second round of parliamentary, presidential and municipal elections later this year. In our view, the holding of elections that are free and fair and free from fear is not only the bedrock for any democracy but also a condition and precedent for the sustainable development of the peoples of all States. Accordingly, CARICOM applauds the efforts of the Provisional Electoral Council of Haiti, which is charged with the responsibility for the administration of elections in our sister member State. The work of the Provisional Electoral Council is not without its challenges, one of the main ones being the availability of adequate financial resources to do its work. CARICOM wishes to thank all those States that have made financial contributions to the fund administered by United Nations Development Programme to aid the electoral process in Haiti, including, I might add, the contribution earlier today from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago of $1 million. MINUSTAH, under the leadership of Ambassador Honoré, must be commended for its continued stewardship in Haiti, where it has assisted the Haitian authorities not only with matters relating to the conduct of elections but also the strengthening of the rule of law, the promotion of justice and the training of the Haitian National Police, the latter to ensure that that organization will be in a position to assume total control of policing activities in that State in the near future. Even as we continue to applaud the Haitian Government and MINUSTAH for their efforts to stabilize Haiti during this transformative period, we are mindful of the need for the mandate of MINUSTAH to be renewed with the requisite resources to enable it to engage in less peacekeeping and more developmental activities. In closing, we request that members of the Council act with prudence in this matter so that the services of MINUSTAH are not curtailed abruptly, and that there be a smooth transition period that would prevent any possible reversal of the hard-won gains that Haiti has made during this transformational period.

If there no other members wish to take the floor, I now give the floor to Special Representative, Sandra Honoré. Ms. Honoré: I wish to express thanks to all the members of the Security Council for their observations on the situation in Haiti and on the work of the the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) at this critical juncture of Haiti’s history, in keeping with the Secretary-General’s report (S/2015/667). I have noted the emphasis that they have placed on the need for continued forecasts on the key areas of the Mission’s mandate, including the rule of law and human rights, police development and the strengthening of State institutions and good offices, in addition to the work of the United Nations agencies, funds and programmes in the fields of humanitarian assistance and development. I have also taken careful note of their comments regarding the transition of the Mission and planning to that end with the Government of Haiti and the United Nations country team. My gratitude is also extended to the other States members of the Group of Friends, to Haiti and to the multilateral organizations that have also proffered comments during this debate. On behalf of the personnel of MINUSTAH — military, police, civilians, both international and Haitian — as well as United Nations Volunteers, I express our deep appreciation for the Council’s support for the work of the Mission as we contribute to the important electoral process in train, and in the interest of continued stabilization for the benefit of the people of Haiti.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers.