S/PV.8881 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2021/877, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by Mexico and the United States of America. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2021/828, which contains the text report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2600 (2021). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting.

Let me start by thanking all of the Council members here today for supporting the important resolution 2600 (2021). As we all know, the past year has been especially turbulent in Haiti. By renewing the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), we have helped to ensure that the United Nations can continue its vital efforts to support democratic institutions and planning for elections, strengthen the rule of law and promote stability. We know that decisions about Haiti’s future and whether it will undertake the vital reforms that are so urgently needed are questions for the people of Haiti. BINUH’s role is both advisory and essential. This resolution also calls for an assessment by the Secretary- General in six months to ensure that the mandate remains fit for purpose. The United States looks forward to the conclusion of the assessment and the opportunity it presents to further strengthen BINUH’s mandate and effectiveness in helping to address the ongoing challenges facing Haiti. Let me be clear  — now is not the time for the Security Council to walk away from Haiti. We will not relent in our commitment to ensuring that Haiti receives the assistance and support that it needs. The United States welcomes the mandate renewal and reaffirms its commitment to supporting Haitian-led efforts to address Haiti’s long-standing challenges.

Mexico welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2600 (2021) and thanks the members of the Council for supporting and adopting it. After an extensive process of consultations with member States, the resolution is a clear signal of support to the people of Haiti and to the work that the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) has been doing on the ground. This renewal will give the mission certainty and allow member States to assess the conclusions of the Secretary-General with a view, at the appropriate time, to effectuating the changes necessary to make the BINUH mandate more effective. We thank the members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the Economic and Social Council Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti for their statements expressing support for the strengthening of BINUH. In the framework of the process of political dialogue that is to lead to a new constitution, presidential and legislative elections and the process of recovery following the passage of Hurricane Grace, our commitment to Haiti obliges us to reach agreements. In this regard, Mexico will continue working to respond to the needs of our sister nation and of our entire region.

Over the past few months, Haiti has been hit with a series of back-to-back disasters, both natural and man- made, including the assassination of its President, an earthquake and a hurricane, exacerbating its already dire political, economic, social and humanitarian crises and the tragic plight of the Haitian people, who have our deepest sympathies. It behoves the international community to give the country greater and more tailored assistance. Haiti’s Government and political leaders should put the interests of the country and their people first, halt all power struggles, shoulder their responsibilities in earnest and work together to bring the country out of chaos and put it on the path of orderly development. The Secretary-General’s latest report (S/2021/828) states that the huge aid efforts made by Haiti’s international partners have yet to deliver the expected results and that a novel approach is required to address the challenges that are holding Haiti back. The renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) provides us with an opportunity to discuss how to help Haiti more effectively. China was a responsible and constructive participant in the discussions and consultations throughout the process. Thanks to the joint efforts of such Council members as China, the Russian Federation and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, substantive improvements to the text were achieved in the end. In particular, resolution 2600 (2021) requests the Secretary-General to conduct an assessment of the BINUH mandate and make recommendations on whether and how the mandate should be adjusted to address the ongoing challenges faced by Haiti. This creates an important opportunity for the Council, on the basis of the Secretary-General’s assessment report, to update the mandate in the light of changing circumstances on the ground in order to better help the Haitian people. In the light of the foregoing, China voted in favour of the resolution. In conclusion, I would like to underscore that, ultimately, Haiti cannot achieve stability and development without self-reliance. We urge the Haitian Government and the political parties to always put the people front and centre, set aside their differences, shoulder their responsibilities and seek consensus and cooperation towards a better future for the country. China is ready to work with the rest of the Council to continue supporting BINUH in fulfilling its mandate and in playing a positive role in promoting stability and development in Haiti.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of Kenya. I should like to briefly applaud the ongoing conversation that is taking place in the Arria Formula meeting on Haiti to strengthen the linkages between Haiti, the Caribbean Community, Africa and other international partners. We look forward to receiving that information to inform our way forward, even as we voted on resolution 2600 (2021). I now resume my functions as President of the Council. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers.