S/PV.9535 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Kenya and Saint Lucia to participate in this meeting. On behalf of the Council, I welcome His Excellency Mr. Jean Victor Généus, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Worship of Haiti, and His Excellency Mr. Roberto Álvarez Gil, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Ms. María Isabel Salvador, Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti; Ms. Ghada Fathi Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime; and Ms. Tirana Hassan, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch. 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/2024/62, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, and document S/2024/79, which contains the text of a letter dated 15 January 2024 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council. I now give the floor to Ms. Salvador.

Allow me to begin by congratulating France on its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of January. (spoke in English) Haiti remains plagued by the mounting scale of violence due to an unprecedent surge in kidnappings, rapes and other crimes committed by armed gangs, which increasingly affect the livelihoods of people and undermine humanitarian activities. I cannot overstress the severity of the situation in Haiti, where multiple protracted crises have reached a critical point. Last year, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) documented over 8,400 direct victims of gang violence, including people killed, injured or kidnapped, an increase of 122 per cent as compared to 2022. The capital accounted for 83 per cent of killings and injuries, and violence also spread to other areas, specifically to Artibonite. South of the capital, gangs conducted large-scale attacks to control key zones and continue to systematically employ sexual violence in their areas of control, putting women and girls as young as 12 at risk. Since my previous briefing (see S/PV.9449), at least 75 people were reported killed by civilian vigilante movements that have emerged as self- defence against gangs. Violence, displacement, and loss of livelihood have left thousands of children vulnerable to gang recruitment. BINUH has continued working towards enhancing the capacity of the Haitian National Police (HNP), with a special focus on intelligence-led performance and training. However, high attrition rates have continued, further diminishing the HNP’s ability to counter gang violence and maintain security. Although 795 new recruits will join the HNP once the Police Academy’s thirty-third class graduates in March, the staffing gap remains concerning given that around 1,600 police officers left the force in 2023, according to data compiled by BINUH. (spoke in French) Over the past few months, the Government and the international community have made commendable efforts to increase their support for the Haitian National Police. That includes a 13 per cent increase in the 2023—2024 State budget allocated to the HNP as well as the provision of personal protective equipment, armoured vehicles and weapons. Thanks to multilateral donors and technical advice from BINUH, means of transport, office equipment, investigation materials and capacity-building training were provided to more than 400 HNP personnel; and since October 2023, with the delivery of 20 patrol vehicles and 250 motorcycles purchased through the joint programme — the basket fund — managed by the United Nations Development Programme, the mobility of the HNP has been increased. In order to develop concrete actions, BINUH is closely engaged in consultations with the Haitian national authorities to better understand their expectations regarding the potential impact that the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission authorized by the Council could have. In addition, with the support of BINUH, national institutions, including the inter-ministerial working group on disarmament, dismantlement, reintegration and reduction of community violence, have engaged in discussions on potential synergies between the international assistance and ongoing efforts to reduce the violence. (spoke in English) I will continue encouraging all Haitian stakeholders to effectively prepare for the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti, while creating the necessary coordination mechanisms towards its success. It is of the utmost importance that the Mission adhere to the Human Rights Due-Diligence Policy and that it establish strong mechanisms to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse. The Mission must participate with experts in the liaison unit recently created by the humanitarian country team, aiming to ensure aligned actions, advocating humanitarian principles and the protection of civilians. I appeal once more to Member States to contribute generously to ensure the timely deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. While improvement of the security situation is essential to break the cycle of crises in Haiti, long-term stability can only be achieved through a nationally owned and inclusive political process. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group to help bridge different political stances. As indicated by the Group following its last visit to Haiti, government, political and civil society stakeholders continue to seek a definite agreement through political talks on a governance framework that could pave the road for credible elections. Although inter-Haitian dialogue and consultations continue, some divergences remain on governance arrangements, hampering progress on the political front. I echo the sentiments expressed by the Secretary- General in his 7 December 2023 statement calling on every political actor and stakeholder in and for Haiti to come together in good faith and in unity and determination, prioritizing and upholding the interests of the Haitian people above all. Regrettably, since my last briefing to the Council, new violent actors have been gaining prominence. The actual scope of these developments has yet to become clear. However, there are concerns of their potentially destabilizing role in further eroding Haitian institutions and dividing the Haitian population. I call on stakeholders from across the spectrum to engage peacefully and constructively in the political process. The sanctions regime is vital to curbing impunity and disrupting the financial resources and operational streams associated with criminal gangs. I place my trust in the continued efforts of the Panel of Experts on Haiti, through their mandate that was renewed by the Council, towards encompassing all individuals associated with belonging, supporting and backing gangs. I am encouraged by the Haitian authorities’ efforts to improve the justice system and fight corruption. Authorities have intensified the vetting of judges and public prosecutors. An urgent national programme to reduce the severe overcrowding in Haitian prisons has made it possible to expedite the processing of approximately 400 criminal cases to date. The Anti-Corruption Unit continues to push for accountability for high-ranking civil servants allegedly involved in corruption. Nevertheless, so much more needs to be done, and BINUH continues to be deeply engaged. Last July, the Council approved the renewal of our mandate with expanded capacities. However, the liquidity situation of the Organization is having a very serious impact on BINUH. In any event, with your support, we will continue to work hard within those limitations. The continuous support to the Haitian National Police, the rapid deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission, effective sanctions, and a sustained political process resulting  — as soon as it is possible  — in credible, participatory and inclusive elections constitute fundamental elements for the restoration of security and stability in Haiti, whereby, consequently, the rule of law, democratic institutions and sustainable development will become a reality for its people.

I thank Ms. Salvador for her briefing. I now give the floor to Ms. Waly.

I thank you, Madam President, for your invitation to present, on behalf of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), an update on the situation of illicit arms trafficking and financial flows in Haiti, pursuant to paragraph 9 of resolution 2692 (2023). The security situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate rapidly, with widespread gang violence in the streets, fuelled by the illicit flow of arms and ammunition into the country, as demonstrated by the recent wave of gang violence that has forced people from their homes and claimed the lives of others in Solino, Nazon, Carrefour Aéroport and elsewhere. As long as gangs continue to have access to highly sophisticated firearms, they will remain capable of subjecting the Haitian population to a reign of terror. (spoke in English) Council members may remember that in our first report (see S/2023/780), in October 2023, UNODC identified four major sea and land routes for the illicit flows of firearms and ammunition, coming in primarily from the United States of America. The second report (see S/2024/79), released yesterday, complements previous findings, mainly on the sources abroad and domestic distribution, but also on trafficking by air. UNODC has found that there are 11 recorded informal or clandestine airstrips in Haiti, spread out across the country. They represent a blind spot that is possibly being used by traffickers and smugglers. Members should bear in mind that smaller aircraft flying directly between the United States and Haiti are difficult to monitor. The report also looks at the dynamics of arms trafficking in Haiti. Our findings show that a relatively small number of Haitian gangs, such as the 5 Segond and 400 Mawozo groups, have become highly specialized in the procurement, storage and distribution of weapons and ammunition. They move firearms from points of entry to their strongholds, before distributing or selling them to other armed groups. In our next report, we will be analysing gang dynamics in Haiti in more detail. Regional dynamics are also key, as the deepening crisis in Haiti is not occurring in isolation. Across the Caribbean region, illicit firearms are a growing concern and are feeding gang-related activity and drug trafficking in a vicious cycle. In November 2023, at the third annual Meeting of States of the Caribbean Firearms Road Map, Caribbean States highlighted the need to curtail the flow of illicit arms in the region, reinforce regulatory frameworks, empower law enforcement and enhance data collection and reporting. Firearms flows into Haiti are directly affected by efforts and capacities in the region. The previous report under paragraph 9 of resolution 2692 (2023) detailed how illicit arms and munitions purchased in the United States were trafficked to specific seaports in the Dominican Republic and onwards to Haiti via land border crossings. This latest report shows that after the land border was closed in September 2023 and stronger measures were taken by the Dominican authorities, those routes have become more difficult to access, causing trafficking to be diverted to other unofficial crossing points in more remote regions. Lastly, the report touches upon efforts to curb corruption and illicit financial flows, which are major factors enabling violence and organized crime and plaguing Haiti’s own justice institutions. Haiti’s Anti-Corruption Unit and the Office of Financial and Economic Affairs are stepping up their efforts. In November 2023, the Anti-Corruption Unit submitted 11 corruption investigation reports to the Prosecutor’s Office, cutting across various public sectors and involving public institutions. Meanwhile, the Office of Financial and Economic Affairs investigated more than 375 cases and handed over 75 of them to prosecuting authorities in 2023, including five on corruption. Nevertheless, anti-corruption efforts continue to be impeded by insufficient capacity, lack of forensic equipment and limited expertise in conducting complex investigations. Haiti faces great uncertainty in the coming weeks and months. There are political timelines approaching and different actors moving on the ground, while gang violence continues to rise. We are also awaiting more clarity on the deployment of the multinational force mandated by the Council. Against that backdrop, it is more important than ever to take every measure possible to prevent illicit flows from further destabilizing the country. Allow me to refer to the recommendations contained in this report under paragraph 9 of resolution 2692 (2023) and, in that regard, to reiterate the importance of supporting Haitian capacities on the registration, control and regulation of firearms, and on collection and analysis of firearm seizures. I also want to underline the need to build Haitian border and customs control capacities, including along the Haiti-Dominican Republic border and maritime borders. Regionally, stronger intelligence-sharing and control mechanisms between United States law enforcement agencies and Caribbean Member States, along with better oversight of international flights involving small aircraft, can help reduce trafficking to Haiti. In order to curb illicit financial flows, Haiti needs better evaluation of corruption risks, better criminal justice procedures and guidelines, better technical and investigative capacities and better legal and regulatory frameworks. UNODC is working on the ground with the Haitian authorities to improve capacities and equipment for border management and maritime security. We are also assisting in fighting corruption, and an anti-money-laundering adviser will join our Haiti team next week. (spoke in French) The international community must stand with the Haitian people during these difficult times. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is committed to working in close cooperation with the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti to help restore security in the country, including through the efforts of the Haitian National Police to combat the illicit trafficking in firearms and improve border and port security, as well as the authorities’ efforts to fight corruption and money-laundering. We will also continue to provide quarterly reports in accordance with our mandate from the Council. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Special Representative of the Secretary- General Salvador and her team for their valuable help in preparing the reports. I also want to express my gratitude for the cooperation of the Member States and partners that have been assisting us. As the situation in Haiti evolves, it will be imperative to gain a better understanding of the illicit firearms trafficking in the country so that the Haitian authorities can secure their borders and support the Haitian National Police. Those are key steps that will pave the way for an inclusive and viable political process, which is the only way that Haiti can achieve long-term peace and security.

I thank Ms. Waly for her briefing. I now give the floor to Ms. Hassan.

I thank you, Madam President, for providing Human Rights Watch with the opportunity to brief the Security Council today on the serious humanitarian and human rights crisis in Haiti. (spoke in English) The Council took an important step to address the crisis in Haiti in October of last year by recognizing the Multinational Security Support Mission and highlighting the many dimensions of the crisis that need to be addressed in a holistic way (resolution 2699 (2023)). Unfortunately, the deployment of the force and other critical components of a rights-based response have stalled, and the situation for many Haitians has only worsened. Killings, kidnappings, sexual violence and other abuses have continued at a staggering rate, with criminal-group activities and fighting intensifying and spreading. In 2023 alone, more than 4,700 people were killed, double the figures reported in 2022, and almost 2,500 others were kidnapped. People whom we have interviewed in Haiti have told us repeatedly about how they have struggled to feed their families. Their children have constant stomach aches because they have no access to clean water, and parents are unable to access health care or send their children to school. More than 300,000 people are internally displaced, and many have been forced to flee after their homes were burnt down, sleeping in open-air shelters with little or no humanitarian assistance. Despite the efforts of leaders of the Caribbean Community, Haiti’s political deadlock persists. There is still no transitional Government to meaningfully address the continuing challenges of corruption and the complicity of senior political, economic and security actors who allow violent criminal groups to operate. And many Haitians lack access to basic rights and services, which fuels recruitment by those criminal groups. Some of the worst violence in recent months has been in Cité Soleil. A nurse whom we interviewed this month, whom I will call Sandrine to protect her identity, described how her three-year-old daughter was so traumatized from the incessant gunshots in their Cité Soleil neighbourhood in mid-November that she had diarrhoea and vomited for three days while their community was under attack. On the third day, gunmen tried to force their way into Sandrine’s home. Sandrine said that her small child was very aware of what was happening and asked her quietly, “Are they going to kill us?” Sandrine said that she told her, “We are not going to die today”. And her daughter said. “If they enter, I will hide under a sheet and not make a sound”. She then quietly asked her mother for a cloth so that she could cover her mouth and vomit in silence. Blocked by the barrier outside Sandrine’s home, the assailants eventually left, throwing a Molotov cocktail in the direction of the house. Two months later, Sandrine said that her daughter is still very traumatized and unable to sleep. She holds her mother and says, “They are hitting the barrier”, and she says to others, “They came to kill my mum”. Sandrine said that that was the worst moment of her life. She also stressed how urgently an international response is needed and told us, “We really need this, as long as they are serious and provide real support, including in places like Cité Soleil. We are suffocating. Haitians are suffocating”. It was voices like hers that the Security Council heard and heeded when it chose to authorize an international force. We have heard similar sentiments from many Haitians we have interviewed. They are well aware of the failures and abuses associated with previous international interventions in Haiti, including the widespread allegations of sexual abuse by peacekeepers and the unleashing of a cholera epidemic, which killed approximately10,000 people. But they also recognize that international support is needed now. If it is to avoid failures like those of the past, the Security Council should call on troop-contributing countries and donors to implement a human rights due-diligence policy that is at least as rigorous as the one that the United Nations applies in its peacekeeping missions. It should include vetting members of the force before they are deployed and reducing the risk that the force could enable abusive units within the Haitian National Police. Individuals or units credibly implicated in human rights abuses should be ineligible. The Council should reiterate its zero tolerance for any misconduct by members of the international force and support independent oversight with the involvement of Haitian civil society groups and communities affected in order to monitor and report on the force’s conduct and performance. The Council should also support investigations of any allegations of abuse, including sexual exploitation, and should ensure appropriate accountability. But the security component should be just one part of a multifaceted response aimed at effectively addressing the human rights and humanitarian crisis in Haiti. First, there remains an urgent need for well- coordinated humanitarian and development assistance. Secondly, the Haitian people deserve a transitional Government that can credibly work with international partners to restore security and the rule of law until free and fair elections can be organized. Thirdly, strong measures should be put in place to ensure justice and accountability for leaders of criminal groups and their backers. Lastly, targeted efforts are needed to curb the illicit flow of weapons and ammunition to criminal groups in Haiti. We also call on the Council to remind all countries to stop sending Haitians who are fleeing the severe violence back to Haiti. United Nations leaders have called for that too, and yet more than 216,600 people were returned to Haiti by other Governments last year, according to the International Organization for Migration. The United Nations has made mistakes in Haiti. This is an opportunity to get it right. This is an opportunity to support Haitian efforts towards a true democratic governance and respect for human rights and to end the deadly cycles of violence and abuse.

I thank Ms. Hassan for her briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Salvador for her briefing and for the work that she and all the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) team are doing in Haiti. They operate in incredibly difficult conditions, and we recognize those challenges as they work to foster a more secure Haiti. I thank Ms. Hassan for shedding light on the deeply concerning human rights situation in the country. I also thank Ms. Waly for her briefing and report on the regional dynamics of firearms trafficking into Haiti and how Haitian gangs and related criminal networks procure and distribute firearms between and within groups. I would like to welcome here today the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the Permanent Representative of Kenya and the Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Their continued engagement in these Security Council meetings demonstrates that Haiti must remain a priority not only for the region but for the international community. The Special Representative’s report and briefing paint a sobering picture of the reality in Port-au-Prince, where the security situation continues to deteriorate. As the Special Representative has reported, the murder rate nearly doubled in Haiti in 2023, and the number of kidnapping victims soared by more than 80 per cent over the previous year. Gangs continue to expand their influence at an alarming rate and are expanding their operations into areas that had long been considered safe. In addition to the alarming levels of violence, gangs continued to control access to critical infrastructure, including Port-au-Prince’s largest aquifer. They extorted Haitian businesses and individuals and continued to use sexual violence to consolidate their control over Haiti’s population. As all of that is happening, the Haitian National Police force continues to shrink, even as new officers are rapidly trained and developed. Haiti’s governance crisis presents an acute challenge that is directly linked to the dire security situation. The United States calls on all Haitian political actors to find consensus on a pathway to return to democracy. We continue to urge Prime Minister Henry and other political, economic, religious and civil society actors to urgently work together to find a peaceful path towards free and fair elections through dialogue and compromise. The global community, alongside Haitian political and civil society actors, must urgently help to put the country back on a path towards long-term stability. We remain committed to supporting the Haitian people’s desire for a democratic, peaceful future. In October 2023, the Council authorized the deployment of a Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti to provide support to the Haitian National Police to combat the violence that Haiti’s gangs have unleashed. Since then, we have worked closely with the Kenyan and Haitian Governments, and regional actors and organizations to prepare the Mission for deployment. We have made tremendous progress since the mandate was authorized, and we will continue the intense planning with our partners and coordinating our efforts with BINUH in the coming months. Essential to the Mission’s success is the need to develop mechanisms to prevent and address potential violations or abuses of human rights, including sexual exploitation and abuse. The United States is proudly supporting efforts by Kenyan and Haitian authorities to establish those necessary oversight mechanisms and will continue to provide support throughout their implementation. We echo the Special Representative’s call for Member States to provide financial support to the Multinational Security Support Mission, which is critical for the Haitian people and regional security. It is essential that the Mission be well equipped and have the resources necessary to make a real impact on the ground and help the Haitian National Police to restore security in Port-au-Prince. We urge Member States to provide in-kind support to the Mission. We also echo the Special Representative’s call for additional humanitarian and development support to Haiti. In response to the deteriorating situation, the Council has imposed sanctions on several of Haiti’s most notorious gang leaders, whose actions have directly undermined peace and security. Those unlawful activities are unacceptable and nefarious actors should be held accountable. More must be done. The situation in Haiti is dire. As a Council, we have taken important action by approving BINUH’s mandate renewal in July 2023, authorizing the Multinational Security Support Mission and establishing a strong sanctions regime. It is now time for the international community to rally its support for the implementation of these core elements necessary for peace and security in Haiti.

I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), María Isabel Salvador, for the information that she has provided, particularly given the extremely adverse security conditions in which she must carry out her work. I would also like to thank the representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ms. Ghada Fathi Waly, and the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, Ms. Tirana Hassan, for their briefings today. I reiterate Ecuador’s support for the work of BINUH and, of course, the Head of the Office. Ecuador would like to highlight the work carried out by the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) concerning Haiti and urges it to continue its work, alongside the Panel of Experts, on analysis to enable the inclusion of individuals and entities on the sanctions list, in accordance with the provisions of the relevant resolutions. We congratulate Guyana, who will serve as Chair of the Committee this year and who can count on our support in that regard. It is essential to reach agreements aimed at restoring democratic institutions and to take steps towards establishing a road map that makes it possible to hold free and fair elections. To that end, the minimum security conditions and the commitment of the various political actors must be ensured. It is also essential to make progress on strengthening institutions in the judicial, penitentiary and police spheres in order to strengthen the operations of the Haitian National Police against criminal gangs. However, we express our concern at the alarming desertion rate among police personnel. It is essential for resource coordination and allocation to continue in order to ensure police professionalization and to achieve sustainable progress in the security of the country. My delegation deplores the deterioration in the security situation, especially the expansion of gang influence in areas of Port-au-Prince that were previously less affected and in other departments of Haiti. The alarming increase in homicides reported in 2023 is an example of how the strategies and tactics of armed gangs have evolved, which is why it is crucial to seek effective responses to the phenomenon. In that regard, Ecuador is concerned about the UNODC reports regarding the trafficking of weapons and ammunition — particularly the routes used for their transit — that end up in the hands of gangs and non-State actors, thus exacerbating the violence, not only in Haiti but also in the Latin American and Caribbean region. Mechanisms that allow for the exchange of information and regional and subregional cooperation on such issues must therefore be strengthened. Moreover, the increase in homicides and kidnappings linked to criminal gangs and the impact in terms of the displacement of people are worrisome elements that worsen the human rights situation of the civilian population and affect their livelihoods. Of particular concern are mass kidnappings and the systematic use of sexual violence by criminal gangs to consolidate control over the population. Deteriorating security has meant that almost half of the Haitian population is experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, resulting from a combination of various structural factors that require immediate attention from the authorities, especially owing to their impact on vulnerable populations, including children and young people. We reiterate our concern about the humanitarian situation in Haiti, which is becoming increasingly critical, aggravated by the urgent need for assistance for some 5.5 million people. The persistence of the cholera outbreak, with 73,000 confirmed cases, highlights the urgency of a coordinated international response to curb its spread and protect the health of the affected population. We stress the importance of increasing support and attention to both the humanitarian and development needs in Haiti. Ecuador encourages further advancing the investigations of sexual exploitation and abuse committed by former peacekeepers of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. We hope that it will result in achieving justice and reparations for the victims and that effective measures will be taken to prevent such acts in the future. Finally, we believe that Kenya will soon conclude its internal process with a view to beginning its initial deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti so as to enable the launch of the valuable tools adopted by the Security Council. There can be no question that the international community’s support to Haiti is vital, and in that regard I want to specifically recognize the Caribbean Community’s efforts and those of the three Latin American Chairs of the main bodies of the United Nations during the informal meeting on Haiti held in December.

I too would like to thank Special Representative Salvador, Executive Director Waly of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and Executive Director Hassan of Human Rights Watch for their briefings. And I welcome the participation of the representatives of Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Saint Lucia and Kenya in this meeting. Malta continues to be alarmed by the deteriorating security, political, human rights and humanitarian situations in Haiti, as all the briefers comprehensively highlighted. In October 2023 the Security Council adopted resolution 2699 (2023), establishing a mandate for the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti to assist the Haitian National Police in restoring security. We commend all the Member States that have pledged their support to the Mission, and we hope to see its rapid deployment in the coming weeks. It must act with the highest standards of conduct and discipline, based on clear human rights protocols, and with effective oversight, as required by the resolution. However, the Multinational Security Support Mission alone is not a solution to Haiti’s multidimensional crisis, and there must be greater progress on the political front. We call on all Haitian stakeholders to set aside their differences in order to build the necessary broad consensus around a lasting, inclusive and Haitian-owned political road map. That is fundamental to ensuring credible, participatory and inclusive elections once the appropriate security conditions are met. In that regard, we commend the active support of regional organizations, particularly the Caribbean Community. The Security Council was able to add new names to Haiti’s sanctions list in December in a further effort to achieve security in the country. We continue to support the Council in its efforts to frustrate the individuals and entities who are responsible for Haiti’s insecurity and profiting from it. Member States must also make sure that sanctions are fully implemented, particularly with regard to stopping illicit flows of arms. Gangs have further expanded their territorial control in Haiti, and gang-related violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, homicides and kidnappings have increased, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to abandon their homes. In 2023, nearly 5,000 people were reported killed, well over double the numbers witnessed in 2022. Cases of kidnapping have also nearly doubled, highlighting a distressing trend. As we heard today, the human rights abuses continue to intensify, with children bearing the brunt of the suffering. Reports show that children are being killed indiscriminately in their homes or on the streets and are victims of sexual abuse and kidnapping, in addition to being vulnerable to recruitment by gangs. Gangs continue to systematically use sexual violence as a weapon to consolidate their control over the population, with reports of women and girls being ambushed and collectively raped in broad daylight. The survivors are in urgent need of holistic and survivor-centred services, including medical care and psychosocial support. Haiti must swiftly strengthen its community violence-reduction and arms-control efforts. We welcome regional assistance in combating the illicit proliferation of the weapons and ammunition that fuel those abhorrent crimes. Strengthening the judiciary and corrections system will be particularly crucial for combating impunity and with a view to the impending arrival of the Multinational Security Support Mission, which is expected to lead to an increase in arrests and detentions of suspected gang members. The overcrowding in prisons should also be rapidly reduced. The Haitian Government, the United Nations and the international community must also support disarmament, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes that will contribute to reconciliation and preventive efforts to put an end to the cycle of violence in Haiti. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with assistance hindered by the persistent violence. Haiti’s food crisis is one of the worst in the world, with nearly 4.5 million people suffering from acute levels of food insecurity. Priority must also be given to ensuring access to clean water and sanitation in order to prevent the ongoing cholera outbreak from worsening. In conclusion, the year 2024 must be a turning point for Haiti. We call on the international community to scale up its support for humanitarian and development assistance, and we appeal to Haitian stakeholders to agree on a political road map for the restoration of the country’s democratic institutions.

I too thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General María Isabel Salvador, Executive Director Ghada Waly and Ms. Tirana Hassan for sharing their important insights on the situation in Haiti. We also warmly welcome the participation in today’s meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, as well as the Permanent Representatives of Saint Lucia, speaking on behalf the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and of Kenya. The Republic of Korea is deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation in Haiti. With all the long years of United Nations engagement in Haiti, the situation has not improved but has rather slid backwards into disorder. As a country that sent a joint support group as part of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti and a disaster relief team in response to natural disasters and outbreaks of infectious diseases, the Republic of Korea expresses its deep sympathy with the people of Haiti, who have suffered so long from their multidimensional crisis. The gangs, equipped with illicit arms, are employing criminal violence, including killings and kidnappings, as tactics to expand their control of territories and populations in and beyond Port-au- Prince. We are appalled by the rampant sexual violence being committed in broad daylight and the kidnapping of civilians, including recently of six nuns. The intensification of the vigilante groups’ activities has further complicated the problem. The rapidly declining numbers of the Haitian National Police and its fragile capacity limit anti-gang operations and exacerbate the persistent problem of impunity. The Republic of Korea joins its colleagues on the Security Council in supporting the efforts to ensure the successful operation of the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti, which will provide critical support for the Haitian National Police. We commend Kenya for its commitment to leading the Mission. We also welcome the fact that the predeployment training was highlighted during the joint preplanning conference held in Kenya on the Mission. The lessons that have been drawn from the past United Nations peacekeeping operations in Haiti have made it essential to establish a predeployment training and accountability mechanism to prevent and combat the possibility of human rights violations, sexual violence and the spread of infectious disease. We hope to see the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti deploy as soon as possible, in order to make the best use of the timeline authorized by resolution 2699 (2023). We also call for establishing and enhancing a mutually beneficial relationship between the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and the Multinational Security Support Mission. The Republic of Korea also underscores the importance of the effective implementation of the Council’s sanctions to deter gang activities. The Council has successfully renewed the sanctions regime for another year and has newly designated four gang leaders on the sanctions list. It is now time to accelerate the implementation and monitoring of the sanctions, with a particular focus on the arms embargo to stem the flow of illicit arms and ammunition to gangs. In that regard, it is also necessary to establish a robust regulatory framework for firearms. Turning to the political process, we fully support the efforts made by BINUH and CARICOM in facilitating a meaningful and inclusive political dialogue among key stakeholders. However, we regret that the talks are progressing more slowly than envisioned and the state of political stalemate has still not been resolved. We urge all stakeholders in Haiti to accelerate the process to reach a consensus on the formation of the transitional Government. My delegation expresses our full support for the Haitian-led political dialogue and the holding of free, fair and just elections at the earliest possible juncture. Public order and safety are the prerequisites for holding such elections. Last but not least, we clearly understand that the ongoing crisis Haiti faces is multidimensional. Establishing sustainable stability in the security context goes in tandem with solving other socioeconomic issues such as extreme poverty, corruption and other human rights abuses. For that reason, the international community’s humanitarian and development assistance is urgently needed for Haiti. The Republic of Korea has strived to contribute to stabilization and reconstruction in Haiti in various forms, including projects centred on women’s economic empowerment, the improvement of children’s access to education and the enhancement of public safety and border control. We will continue to provide humanitarian and development assistance to Haiti, and we call for others to join the effort in that endeavour moving forward. I would like to conclude my remarks by reiterating the guiding importance of the Security Council’s firm determination and unity in addressing the crisis and plight of the Haitian people.

I deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council, namely, Algeria, Mozambique and Sierra Leone, as well as my own country, Guyana (A3+1). I thank Ms. María Isabel Salvador, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti; Ms. Ghada Fathi Waly, Executive Director, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); and Ms. Tirana Hassan, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, for their important briefings. We also wish to recognize the presence of His Excellency Mr. Jean Victor Généus, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Worship of Haiti; His Excellency Mr. Roberto Álvarez Gil, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic; Her Excellency Ms. Menissa Rambally, Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia, representing the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); and His Excellency Mr. Martin Kimani, Permanent Representative of Kenya, at today’s meeting. The A3+1 acknowledges and highly appreciates the work of the Secretary-General and the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) in seeking solutions to the multidimensional crisis in Haiti. The activities done in collaboration with the United Nations country team are critical to achieving progress towards a lasting solution and to providing life-saving support to the people of Haiti. We are particularly grateful for the reporting that has been provided by BINUH and UNODC, as many of us are unable to receive first-hand information about the situation on the ground. In turning to the dire humanitarian situation, we encourage all United Nations Member States and partners to urgently scale up support for the Haiti humanitarian response plan, which remains substantially underfunded, having received only 33 per cent of its target. Support for the plan is critical to address the acute levels of food insecurity that the Haitian population is facing and will also improve their limited access to essential services. Given the increasing urgency of the security situation, as highlighted in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2024/62), we welcome the Council’s authorization of the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti to support the efforts of the Haitian National Police. We look forward to the deployment of the Mission in Haiti within the earliest possible time frame to help establish security conditions conducive to moving towards free and fair elections. We anticipate that the deployment of the Mission and its joint work with the Haitian National Police will aid in addressing one of the primary causes of the humanitarian situation in Haiti, that is, gang-related violence. We are hopeful that all domestic hurdles will soon be surmounted and that efforts to bring relief to the Haitian people can soon begin. We commend Kenya’s offer to lead the Mission, as well as those countries that have committed to participating. We urge Member States, other partners and donors and regional organizations to contribute generously to the relevant trust fund and to provide the support needed for the successful execution of the Mission’s mandate, including personnel, equipment and the necessary logistical resources, all in keeping with the mechanisms outlined in resolution 2699 (2023). The escalation of the brutal gang violence gripping Haiti is largely fuelled by the sophisticated and high-calibre firearms and ammunition that are being trafficked into the country. We share UNODC’s assessment that halting the transfer of illicit weapons and establishing a robust regulatory framework for weapons are critical to restoring stability in Haiti and ensuring that Haitian authorities regain control over the security situation. We urge Member States to take the necessary actions to aid that objective. We must continue to support measures to combat the trafficking and proliferation of illegal arms and illicit financial flows that enable criminal activity in Haiti. In that regard, we welcome the recent expansion of the sanctions regime and remain ready to consider further appropriate measures. We underscore that sustained stability and development will not be achieved in Haiti without a Haitian-led and -owned political solution. A comprehensive political solution, with the meaningful involvement of women and young people, is crucial to ending the multidimensional Haitian crisis and to setting the country on the path to recovery and growth. We therefore highlight the important work that the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group has undertaken to that end. We recognize that strengthening Haiti’s institutions for justice, restoring the rule of law and strengthening the police and justice systems will be essential for sustainable peace in Haiti. We encourage all stakeholders in Haiti to work expeditiously in the pursuit of national consensus that will clear a path for a political transition and the holding of free, fair and credible elections to restore the country’s democratic institutions when conditions are favourable. The Haitian people can wait no longer. We would like to express our solidarity with the resilient and ingenious people of Haiti. We are hopeful that the actions taken thus far by the Council and the broader United Nations system, combined with the efforts of regional and national stakeholders, will bring about tangible progress and help to restore stability and security  — conditions indispensable for the country’s prosperity.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary- General Salvador and Executive Director Waly for their briefings just made. I also welcome the presence of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Haiti and the Dominican Republic and the representatives of Kenya and Saint Lucia. I also listened very attentively to the statement by the representative of civil society. In the past year, the Security Council and international and regional partners have paid close attention to the situation in Haiti, continuously speaking out and taking multiple actions in terms of political mediation, combating gangs and improving security. However, the reality in Haiti still falls short of the expectations of the international community. The political, security and humanitarian crises in Haiti continue to worsen and are eroding the foundation of the State and the society. What is the way out of the Haitian crisis and how can we turn the situation around? How can the international community be more effective in helping Haiti? These questions deserve our deepest reflection. In that regard, I would like to make three points. First, we must continue to advance the political process if we are to address the crux of the chaos in Haiti. The international community and the countries of the region have repeatedly called for an end to the political stalemate. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) have worked tirelessly to that end. However, without a legitimate, effective and accountable Government, it will be difficult for any external element to fundamentally reverse the predicament. Without all factions in Haiti working together, no amount of external campaigning will help. We have noticed that with the facilitation of CARICOM, BINUH and others, the parties in Haiti have recently reached consensus on several key aspects of the transition plan and are willing to continue the discussion. We hope that the Haitian authorities and the various parties and factions will put the interests of the Haitian people first, heed the calls of the international community, adopt a truly responsible and long-term approach, maintain the momentum, help build favourable conditions for advancing the political process, with a view to reaching a quick conclusion of the transitional arrangement and moving towards the goal of holding free, fair, transparent and credible elections. Secondly, we must make every effort to curb the arrogance of the gangs and gradually resolve the main causes of the chaos in Haiti. The atrocities committed by the gangs are horrendous, and the security situation in the capital and elsewhere is deteriorating. If not controlled, the gangs will intensify their activities, and the people will live in fear. China supports the international community in taking multiple measures to support the efforts of the Haitian National Police to maintain law and order. We hope that the Security Council’s sanctions regime will play its due role and that more vigorous measures will be taken with regard to reviewing and updating the sanctions list and implementing the arms embargo so as to constitute a real deterrent to the gangs. We urge the United States to effectively strengthen the control of firearms and ammunition, enhance information-sharing and operational coordination with countries of the region so as to cut off the channels through which Haitian gangs obtain weapons and ammunition at the source. We hope that the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti will be deployed as soon as possible and that it will formulate a practical plan of action that is supported by the Haitian people in order to help Haiti strengthen its security capacity and stabilize the situation on the ground. Thirdly, we must step up efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and minimize the consequences of the chaos in Haiti. The greatest victims of the crisis in Haiti are the Haitian people. Haiti’s economy is in decline, cholera is raging, the food security crisis continues, the people’s living conditions are unsustainable, and the situation of refugees and migrants is worrisome. Vulnerable groups, such as women and children, are disproportionately affected. As a result, the people have lost hope for the future. China supports the United Nations and regional partners in increasing humanitarian and development support for Haiti. We also support various agencies and departments to strengthen coordination and enhance synergy. While responding to the urgent humanitarian crisis, we must also take a long-term view, effectively improve the environment for the survival and development of the Haitian people and provide basic conditions and guarantees for achieving sustainable development. The key to solving Haiti’s problems ultimately lies in the hands of the Haitian people. China is ready to keep working with the international community to support the Haitian people in finding a comprehensive solution that is Haitian-led and-owned so as to ensure that the Haitian people and the international community can be ever more hopeful about Haiti’s future.

I wish to thank Special Representative Salvador, Executive Director Waly and Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, Ms. Hassan, for their briefings. I also wish to join other Council members in welcoming the participation of the Foreign Ministers of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, as well as the Permanent Representatives of Kenya and St. Lucia, to today’s discussion. We are discussing yet another tragic and sobering report of what seems to be a bottomless pit of human suffering. I wish to reiterate our grave concern about the continuing deterioration of the security situation in Haiti, marked by indiscriminate armed gang violence against civilians and attacks against police units and infrastructure. The most recent alarming gang violence has spread to the heretofore less-affected area of Solino. The violence continues to contribute to and exacerbate extreme insecurity in the country. Illicit arms trafficking also adds to that alarming trend. Human rights violations perpetrated by gangs persist at shocking levels, and the lack of accountability remains a major concern. We are appalled by the continued systematic use of sexual violence, notably against women and girls, to consolidate control over the population. Sexual violence remains severely underreported due to the threat of retaliation by perpetrators. Moreover, the recruitment and exploitation of children by gangs, including due to a lack of educational opportunities in the country, is extremely worrisome. If that persists, Haiti is at risk of losing generations of its youth. Stabilizing the security conditions is the first, but crucial step towards addressing Haiti’s multidimensional crisis. We take note of the continued preparations for the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti and encourage all actors involved to enable it to carry out its mandate promptly. In that regard, further reinforcement of the capacity of the Haitian National Police by the Government, with the assistance of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, must continue. Similarly, as foreseen in resolution 2476 (2019), the criminal justice and correctional systems must be strengthened and improved in order to accompany the work of the Support Mission and the Haitian National Police. We call on the authorities to continue its efforts in that regard. We also encourage them to take into account and implement the recommendations of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The humanitarian situation in the country remains dire, and humanitarian access remains constrained. With the persistent insecurity, disrupted access to the agricultural markets, as well as the impact of droughts and other climate change-induced natural disasters, the country’s food crisis is worrisome, as it adds another danger to the population. Acute food insecurity today affects more than forty per cent of Haitians. We echo the call of the Secretary-General for the international community to urgently increase its support for the humanitarian response in Haiti. Slovenia remains committed to addressing the needs of the population and has been contributing humanitarian aid to that end. Finally, allow me to point out that no sustained progress is possible without political prospects. We encourage all stakeholders to continue and strengthen the inter-Haitian dialogue. We also call on all parties to engage openly and constructively, with a view to reaching consensus on credible, participatory and fair elections. Slovenia appreciates and encourages the continuation of the active regional support by the Caribbean Community and the Organization of American States in that regard.

I thank Ms. María Salvador, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and Ms. Tirana Hassan, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, for their briefings. I also welcome the presence of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Haiti and the Dominican Republic and the Permanent Representatives of Saint Lucia and Kenya at this meeting. As the speakers have pointed out, insecurity continues to spread in Haiti. The population is faced with impossible choices in order to survive and is exposed to danger simply by leaving their homes. According to the most recent report of the Secretary- General (S/2024/62), human rights abuses continue to intensify. Sexual and gender-based violence is widespread and disproportionately affects women and girls. The availability of and access to essential services are declining, and vulnerabilities, in particular among children, are exacerbated daily. They are also the first to be affected by acute food insecurity, which affects almost one in two people in the country. To promote lasting peace, it is essential to make progress in all areas  — security, development, humanitarian assistance and politics. In that respect, I would like to stress three points. First, to meet the challenges and put an end to gang violence, the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti must be deployed as soon as possible, in accordance with the highest standards of international law and in particular those relating to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. As a Council, we must redouble our efforts to facilitate the rapid deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti. At the same time, capacity-building for the Haitian National Police and full implementation of the sanctions regime must continue. With regard to the role of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), Switzerland welcomes its rapprochement with Government institutions, in particular in the field of community violence reduction and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. Secondly, political dialogue must be pursued to enable elections to be held once security has been restored. The re-establishment of participatory democratic institutions will contribute to the search for inclusive solutions, and progress in the fight against impunity and corruption is encouraging. The support of the Caribbean Community Eminent Persons Group should help to facilitate intra-Haitian dialogue. We welcome the discussions around the formation of a national unity Government, a new provisional electoral council and a constitutional reform process. Thirdly, the international community must remain committed to the country in a spirit of solidarity. The humanitarian response plan remains largely underfunded, while needs will continue to increase in 2024. With that in mind, we must guarantee safe, rapid and unhindered access to communities and increase coordination and cooperation among international response actors, including in particular the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti. Switzerland will continue its long-term involvement in Port-au-Prince and the south of the country. Our action will focus on two areas: on the one hand, climate change, disaster risk reduction and water, sanitation and hygiene; on the other, protection, with a focus on preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence. That approach, established in cooperation with our Haitian partners, will be aimed at both responding to contemporary challenges and strengthening preparedness for future risks. BINUH must use all the resources at its disposal, including human resources, to fulfil its mandate. In addition, the fight against the proliferation of illegal arms and munitions must remain a priority. To that end, we must ensure the safety of the Panel of Experts of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022), concerning Haiti, so that it can continue its work. We must maintain our focus on this crisis, which has gone on for too long. Our responsibility, our credibility and, as we underscored at the start of our statement, the future of the Haitian people, are at stake.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Salvador, Ms. Waly and Ms. Hassan for their powerful briefings today. The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and their local partners continue to do vital work in Haiti in the toughest of circumstances. I also welcome the presence of the Foreign Ministers of Haiti and the Dominican Republic and the representatives of Kenya and Saint Lucia at our meeting. As we have heard from the briefers, the people of Haiti continue to suffer terribly. Killing, kidnapping and severe restriction of movement continue. There were disturbing accounts of the widespread use of sexual violence — including collective rape — against women and girls by gangs to instil fear in the population. Gangs forcibly recruit children and use access to food and water as a form of control. We call on all political actors to put aside their differences for the common interest of the Haitian people and agree on a road map that commits all parties to working towards a return to sound long-term governance. That is the only way to ensure stability and safety for Haitians for the long term. The United Kingdom welcomes support from the international community for those talks, particularly efforts from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Eminent Persons Group. The United Kingdom looks forward to the rapid deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti. We thank Kenya for its leadership in stepping up to that task. We also welcome the engagement of Member States from CARICOM and beyond in the multinational effort to help the people of Haiti. We recently welcomed Council action in December which agreed new sanctions targeting those responsible for armed criminal violence in Haiti. We stand ready to work with all Council members to expand that list as a matter of urgency.

We welcome the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, who are participating in today’s meeting, as well as the Permanent Representatives of Saint Lucia and Kenya. We thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. María Isabel Salvador, and the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ms. Ghada Fathi Waly, for their informative briefings. We are also grateful to the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch for her assessments. Time and again, we have heard about the catastrophic security situation in Haiti. It has become a sad mantra in this Chamber. However, the statistics show that the situation in the country is not just terrible, but is getting worse by the month. Specifically, the most recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2024/62) indicates that the number of gang-related homicides doubled in 2023 compared with 2022, with 4,800 victims. Other crimes and human rights abuses, including kidnappings, sexual violence and the recruitment of minors, have grown exponentially too. Gangs are expanding their zones of control beyond their traditional neighbourhoods in the capital and are occupying more and more territory across the country. They have hundreds of thousands of small arms, which continue to flow freely into Haiti. UNODC and the Panel of Experts of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022), concerning Haiti, have issued several reports on the sources and routes of smuggling. It is extremely disappointing that the region’s largest arms manufacturer is either unable or unwilling to do anything about Haiti’s being flooded with its weapons. Haitians have limited ability to combat crime. Over the past three years, the Haitian National Police lost 3,300 officers, and the remaining units are often ill- equipped and ill-prepared to combat gangs by force. In that context, we have high hopes for the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti. Unfortunately, more than three months since the Council quickly adopted resolution 2699 (2023), it still has not received the information it requested on the key parameters of the operation, including the rules governing the use of force. We are convinced that the intervention, which was agreed under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, must take place within a clearly defined framework and be fully accountable to the Council. We look forward to swift progress in the preparations for the deployment of the Mission under the leadership of Kenya, whose efforts we continue to support. The critical situation with regard to the rule of law in Haiti is provoking an avalanche of socioeconomic, humanitarian and human rights issues. However, the main crisis is the political crisis, and unless it is resolved, any decisions we take can be only temporary. National Government institutions are practically unviable, and for a long time the country has not had a single legitimately elected Government body. The preparations for the launch of the electoral process are progressing extremely slowly, and the agreement on a national consensus, which was signed with fanfare more than a year ago, has not been implemented, the reason being that no broad, genuine political consensus has been reached about the country’s future. Against that backdrop, the promises that 2024 would be the year that Haiti’s Government institutions would be restored appear unrealistic so far. We call on all parties to put aside the narrow selfish interests that are preventing them from finding common ground and to reach agreement as soon as possible on the conduct of elections and on governing the country during its transitional period. There is still no clarity on the investigation into the assassination of Jovenel Moïse, Haiti’s former President. We have seen some progress in the national judicial process. We hope that the perpetrators of that crime, which was committed with the participation of foreign nationals, will be found and brought to justice under Haitian law. The external interference in that process, as in domestic Haitian politics generally, is unacceptable. Haiti’s independence and hard-won sovereignty have been virtually strangled, first by a former colonial Power and later by a State that sees itself as the hegemon of the entire western hemisphere and is now trying to shift the consequences of such actions onto the international community. Criminal reparations that benefited the colonizers, countless interventions and political engineering manoeuvres have resulted in nothing but suffering for the Haitian people and the country’s descent into a quagmire of violence and lawlessness. We hope our Haitian friends will have the courage and determination to close that dark chapter in their history as soon as possible.

I appreciate Special Representative of the Secretary-General Salvador’s insightful remarks and thank Director-General Waly and Ms. Hassan for their informative briefings. I also welcome Mr. Généus and Mr. Álvarez Gil, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, respectively, as well as the representative of Saint Lucia, speaking on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and the representative of Kenya. Today I would like to mention three points. First and foremost, we are deeply concerned about the worsening gang violence, widespread impunity and human rights violations in Haiti. The absence of justice and of the rule of law has been exacerbating the multifaceted difficulties there, including a deteriorating humanitarian situation. In that regard, Japan notes that some political actors and civil society groups have expressed optimism that the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission will be an opportunity to foster peace and security. We appreciate the efforts by Kenya and the other participating countries to plan an appropriate command and operational structure for the Mission and to conduct the training needed to ensure that its personnel will be able to work in a well-coordinated way with the Haitian National Police (HNP). For its part, Japan will contribute approximately $14 million in assistance to the Multinational Security Support Mission, a contribution that includes the provision of equipment to the HNP. Secondly, we again reiterate that the security improvements that the Mission will help the HNP achieve should be sustainable. Ultimately, Haitians will need to be able to manage and maintain them on their own. With that in mind, Japan has decided to provide equipment to the Educational Community Police and improve the Police Academy’s training facility. I hope that those contributions, along with the generous assistance of other contributors, will improve the capacity of the HNP and that of the correctional and justice systems. Also, the United Nations peacebuilding architecture as a whole — including the Peacebuilding Commission, through its bridging, convening and catalytic roles within and beyond the United Nations system — can help make Haiti’s security sustainable. Thirdly and lastly, as Ms. Salvador said, efforts to achieve political stability should proceed in parallel with the efforts to ensure sustainable security. While we welcome the political will and engagement of the Haitian Government and political stakeholders, it will be more encouraging to hear about further plans and frameworks aimed at establishing benchmarks, timelines and an institutional structure for free, fair, and inclusive elections. Japan commends the efforts that the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti and the United Nations country team have been making to enable all of Haiti’s stakeholders and institutions to join this endeavour. It is also encouraging to see the close cooperation between the relevant regional organizations, especially the Organization of American States and CARICOM. We welcome the recent efforts of the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group to achieve a broader political consensus. We call on Haitian stakeholders to continue the discussions and demonstrate further progress on the draft framework. Together with the international community, Japan remains committed to supporting Haiti and its people in their quest for long-term security and stability.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of France. I would like to thank Ms. María Isabel Salvador, Ms. Ghada Waly and Ms. Tirana Hassan for their briefings. I would also like to thank the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Haiti and the Dominican Republic and the representatives of Saint Lucia and Kenya for their presence here this morning. France remains concerned about the situation in Haiti. The Secretary-General’s latest report (S/2024/62) is damning and confirms the seriousness of the crisis, which requires a global response. First, on the security front, I would like to reiterate France’s support for the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission to the Haitian National Police, which should take place as soon as possible and in line with United Nations standards. To that end, France has contributed €3 million to the dedicated trust fund and €850,000 via the International Organization of la Francophonie to train Mission police officers in French and Creole, in addition to our direct support to the Haitian police. The establishment of a Security Council sanctions regime for Haiti should also help to curb the actions of those who are destabilizing the country, and France hopes that those sanctions will extend to all who are contributing to the deterioration of the security situation, particularly those who cooperate with gangs or are involved in illicit trafficking. On the political front, France supports the Government’s efforts to reach a political agreement that will enable the holding of free and open elections and the restoration of the country’s institutions. Only an inclusive political dialogue can provide a lasting response to the challenges facing Haiti. We welcome the role that the Caribbean Community and the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) are playing in facilitating that intra-Haitian political dialogue. The political response must take into account the need to protect human rights and combat impunity. Finally, on the humanitarian front, France is deeply concerned about the deteriorating living conditions of the Haitian population, which is why we provided €13.5 million in humanitarian aid in 2023, including €11 million in food aid. On all those fronts, I would like to pay tribute to the support that has been provided by all actors, including from civil society and the United Nations teams, and to the work of BINUH and the countries in the region, which are sparing no effort in spite of the extremely difficult conditions. France will continue to support them. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Worship of Haiti.

I would like to congratulate France on presiding over the Security Council for the month of January. I wish it every success, particularly considering the complexity of the issues to be dealt with during these difficult times in world affairs. I also extend my greetings to all the other members of the Council. I would like to take this opportunity to convey to all Council members our very best wishes and the hope that the Council’s deliberations and decisions throughout the year will respond to global challenges. I would particularly like to welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, His Excellency Mr. Roberto Álvarez Gil, whose presence here underscores his Government’s deep concern about the situation in Haiti. I also welcome the presence of the representatives Kenya, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the other Member States participating in this meeting. I welcome the presence of the representatives of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and Human Rights Watch. I commend the work carried out by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti and the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Ms. María Isabel Salvador, who provided us with an accurate overview of the situation in the country and important observations, with which we concur. We are currently at a decisive and hopeful crossroads for the future of the Haitian people. For almost two years, I have regularly come before the Council to paint an increasingly sad and gloomy picture of the security and humanitarian situation in my country. The Haitian people have had enough. I hope that this will truly be the last meeting of this kind before a multinational force is deployed to support the Haitian security forces. The Haitian people have suffered enough from the barbarity of armed gangs. The international community’s commitment to our cause for over more than two years is greatly appreciated. Nevertheless, the ceaseless search for a way out of the crisis and a return to normal life, peace and calm has still not reached the desired goal, despite the Council’s historic adoption of resolution 2699 (2023) on 2 October 2023. On behalf of the Government and the people of Haiti, I would like to take this opportunity once again to thank the Council and Kenya, which agreed to take the lead. My Government welcomes that country’s willingness to lead the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. My Government also welcomed the convening of the pre-planning conference, which was held in Nairobi, on 14 and 15 December 2023, between the delegations of Kenya, the United States, Jamaica and Haiti, and was aimed at strengthening communications and coordinating the Mission’s next steps. The Government of Haiti commends CARICOM’s commitment to the Mission’s planning and predeployment. Its members remain key partners, and their support is critical to ensuring the Mission’s success. It is not my intention today to relay yet again the catastrophic situation that we are experiencing in Haiti, particularly in the larger Port-au-Prince area and the department of Artibonite. I would just like for the Council to be aware of the fact that every day that goes by without the support that we so eagerly await is one day too many lived in the hell created by the gangs. Far too many Haitians have had to make the choice, often against their will, to move elsewhere, while leaving behind their loved ones and everything they have long fought for. If, like other suffering populations, we published updated daily statistics on the atrocities suffered by Haitians at the hands of armed criminals, Council members would understand that there is no difference between the barbarity we are experiencing and the heart-wrenching horrors and atrocity of wars and armed conflicts elsewhere in the world. One person’s suffering must be everyone’s suffering. The solidarity that has been shown for certain populations must be shown for all. Indeed, how is it possible that, in 2023 alone, more than 5,000 people were killed in the country, that is, more than 10 people a day? That means that, last year, one person was killed every two hours. We have estimated that 1,432 people have been injured, 2,951 kidnapped and 37 police officers murdered in gang-related violence. For a country in which data collection remains challenging, the actual numbers are in all probability much worse. The situation has led to the internal displacement of more than 200,000 people, who have fled their neighbourhoods and homes, which are often set ablaze by criminals. I am not talking here about a nationwide situation, but a situation that is concentrated within a few square kilometres surrounding the capital and in a handful of regions. The most recent report from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, of 28 November 2023, for example, provides information on the activities of criminal groups in the department of Artibonite. In September 2023, more 45 per cent of the population of lower Artibonite was in a situation of acute food insecurity. At the start of this year, 2024, armed gangs stepped up their activities. As they are perhaps concerned about the imminent arrival of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, they are fighting to increase their hold on new geographical areas. We will not begin to delve into the humanitarian, social and economic consequences of that situation. Like the Haitian population as a whole, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has sounded the alarm by calling for the immediate deployment of the Mission. I underscore the urgent need for measures to be taken in accordance with resolution 2700 (2023), which requires Member States to take all measures to curb, if not halt, the flow of arms and ammunition that continues to fill the arsenals of gangs and poison the daily lives of the Haitian people. In that context, the Government of Haiti welcomes the decision of the United States of America to strengthen its capacity to investigate and prosecute those involved in transnational crime against Haiti through the establishment of the Transnational Criminal Investigation Unit in Haiti. With regard to the political dialogue, to which His Excellency Prime Minister Ariel Henry attaches particular importance, political stakeholders have still not reached the minimum consensus-based agreement needed to form a Government of national unity. In that vein, I commend the work carried out thus far by the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group, and, on behalf of the Haitian Government and people, I will continue to ask for the support of the international community for the inter-Haitian dialogue. As the deployment of the Mission is imminent, the Haitian Government thanks the international community for the commitment to and solidarity with Haiti shown so far. It welcomes the significant progress made since the adoption of resolution 2699 (2023). Given the urgency of the situation, the Government of Haiti hopes that the Mission will be rapidly and effectively deployed. In that regard, it also hopes for the implementation of resolution 2700 (2023), renewing resolution 2653 (2022) and establishing the sanctions regime in Haiti, in particular the updating and publication of the list of persons targeted for sanctions in its annex, in order to give full effect to that Council document. In conclusion, Haiti will not collapse, because it is not alone. It is not alone, as it has been part of every struggle for freedom in the world. Haiti remains open to accepting every bit of support, as it has offered its solidarity to others when they were also in need of it. We are grateful for the hands of friendship that have been extended to us by those who are concerned about our domestic problems.

I now give the floor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic.

Allow me to wish everyone a productive 2024, with the undeniable contribution of the Security Council to finding solutions to the pressing conflicts affecting our world. We recognize Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia, the new members of the Council, and wish them every success. I would particularly like to highlight the important role that Guyana is taking on in chairing the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) concerning Haiti. Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett can count on the full support of the Dominican Republic. We thank the Secretary-General for his most recent report on the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) of 15 January (S/2024/62). It sets out the relative but still insufficient progress of the Haitian National Police, which has intensified its efforts to combat criminal gangs and improved the coordination of its activities in a very complicated context. That progress is encouraging but inadequate, given the expectations that were set and have not been entirely met and the increase in the statistics on crime and violence. For the ninth time in less than four years, I find myself addressing the Council in order to reiterate the Dominican Government’s concern about the persistent and acute crisis afflicting Haiti. The violence and political instability in our neighbour are having a devastating impact on the civilian population and on democracy in Haiti and security in the region. Resolution 2699 (2023), adopted unanimously by the Council almost four months ago, authorizing the training and deployment of a Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, was a glimmer of hope against the critical backdrop in the country. Regrettably, particularly for those who are living with the daily terror inflicted by the gangs, the Mission has not yet been deployed. Meanwhile, Haiti stands on the edge of the abyss, with every day of inaction a fresh opportunity for criminal organizations to increase their power and expand their control. That unjustified delay is having serious consequences. We must recognize and express our gratitude for Kenya’s impressive willingness to lead the Multinational Security Support Mission, as well as that of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries that have confirmed their participation in the Mission. We would also like to reiterate our commitment to cooperating in finding a solution, to the best of our ability, as we have been doing since the beginning of the Haitian conflict. It is imperative for all relevant actors to act responsibly and decisively to provide the Mission with the necessary tools, including financial support, that it needs in order to perform the tasks entrusted to it. Nonetheless, we must be very clear about one thing. The Mission’s success will depend primarily on the active, proactive, effective, constructive and harmonious participation of the Government and the people of Haiti, particularly the Haitian elite. On another note, in addition to the worrisome delay in the Mission’s deployment, there is a persistently timid attitude when it comes to the urgent implementation of resolution 2653 (2022), which involves listing the individuals and organizations that are funding the criminal gangs that we know are playing a leading role in the prevailing instability in the country. We must not allow the perpetrators of such brutality to continue to have their way freely in an environment of impunity. The Sanctions Committee should act urgently and responsibly in that area. According to the Secretary-General’s report, some headway has been made in stabilizing Haiti, as the Government is now benefiting from a broader political base and the clear desire from some sectors of the opposition to collaborate in restoring democratic institutions. In that context, we want to acknowledge the work being done by BINUH and by CARICOM’s Group of Eminent Persons to expand the space for political dialogue between the crucial forces in Haiti. The Mission can also help to improve conditions so that those forces can reach agreements that are more long- lasting, responding to a fair aspiration of the Haitian people and the international community. In addition to the crisis in Haiti, there is another highly explosive ingredient  — the illicit trafficking of the weapons that are continually flowing into the country. We must redouble our efforts to curb that, as provided for in resolution 2692 (2023). The Dominican Republic has been cooperating in various ways by taking responsible steps to prevent the trafficking of weapons and ammunitions and all other types of illicit activity, notwithstanding the fact that our Haitian interlocutor  — which is vital to making any efforts in that area effective — is limited in its ability to act. Nonetheless, some ill-informed sectors have tried to flag us as a country of transit for such smuggling, an accusation that we firmly deny. It is illogical and leads us to think that far from wanting to find ways to support and enable a solution that enjoys the support of the international community, there are still sectors that seek to twist reality in order to delay long-awaited action. The Dominican Republic does not manufacture weapons. We have strict legislation on the use and possession of weapons that is strictly applied. Our murder rate is one of the lowest in the region. We have ports and airports that are frequently used for the transfer or return of trucks and cargo to Haiti  — an onerous burden on our port and shipping authorities that we deal with responsibly. In addition, we have between 8,000 and 10,000 troops along the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which is 391 kilometres long. That is a high cost for the Dominican budget. Since November 2021 we have supported the request made by the Government of Haiti to the Inter-American Committee on Ports to assist with Haiti’s port security. When appropriate, we have enabled access to fuel to ensure that some basic operations in our neighbour can continue to function. We have also received and addressed requests for security support for transporting diplomatic personnel from other countries and international organizations based in Haiti. On another point, far from the long-cherished results that Haitians aspire to, the situation has become conducive to the emergence of new political actors who paint themselves as messiahs while carrying out opportunistic and destabilizing acts that are as damaging as those of the gangs. Those sectors have gone so far as to call for insurrection and civil disobedience, further aggravating the political dimension of the Haitian crisis. We firmly reject those extremely harmful influences on Haitian democracy. The Dominican Republic will never tire of advocating for stability in Haiti. The breakdown of Haiti’s social fabric is seriously affecting its bilateral relations in all aspects, increasing the burden on my own country’s Government to ensure its national security. For that reason, we have been forced to adopt rigorous measures for preventive purposes. We will continue to work tirelessly to help Haiti to exit the dire situation it is facing, guided by our policy of good neighbourliness. Ensuring Haiti’s democratic development is a vital component for ensuring that the Dominican Republic can continue to make progress in a sustainable and ongoing manner. An important anniversary for Haitian democracy will take place in the coming days: 7 February, a day that marked the transition from dictatorship to the promise of democracy in Haiti. Hopefully the democratic legitimacy that was born on that date, to great acclaim, will return to Haiti sooner rather than later. It falls to the members of the Security Council to end the catastrophic situation in Haiti, which continues to jeopardize peace and security in the region. If the deployment of troops does not materialize as soon as possible, we will have to lament the continued failure to achieve the progress so longed for by the Haitian people. This crisis can wait no longer. Let us act now, and without hesitation.

I now give the floor to the representative of Saint Lucia.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the 14 States members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). We welcome the presence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Worship of Haiti and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic. We would like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Salvador, Executive Director Waly and Executive Director Hassan for their briefings and express our gratitude for their commitment to Haiti and its people. The Secretary-General’s report (S/2024/62) highlights that the toxic web of challenges assailing Haiti is one that necessitates sustained engagement. To that end, CARICOM’s intervention will focus on three interdependent pillars that demand substantial investment: security, institutions, and social and economic development. We are concerned about the reports of expanding gang influence further overwhelming a gradually shrinking Haitian National Police. In spite of that, we commend the Haitian National Police for undertaking anti-gang operations to combat the problem, and we recognize the efforts of United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti and the United Nations Development Programme to coordinate international support for the police. While CARICOM joined an overwhelming majority of States in welcoming the adoption of resolution 2699 (2023), which authorized the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti, we underscore that the delay in its deployment threatens to diminish opportunities for the restoration of security. We therefore urge Member States to support preparations towards the deployment of the Mission. In that context, we underscore the link between the security situation and the political situation, recognizing the catch-22 scenario within which Haiti is entangled. The lack of a strong political framework has operated as a breeding ground for increased gang activity, while insecurity in the country has undermined efforts towards political progress. Both the security and political situations must be tackled in tandem and with equal vigour. Strong institutions, including judicial and correctional systems, are a precondition for the effective and efficient functioning of any State. Sustained engagement with both the Government and civil society is therefore the only way to build institutions that would enable democracy to take root. During the most recent visit of the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group to Haiti, stakeholders were able to find consensus on several aspects of the proposed draft framework. However, to indicate a readiness to commence the final stage of negotiations, stakeholders must maintain their engagement, including through sustained informal discussions. The only durable solution is one that is conceptualized by and emanates from Haiti. Regarding development, CARICOM emphasizes the dire humanitarian and economic situations. More than 40 per cent of the population faces acute food insecurity, with children being especially vulnerable. Yet, as of December 2023, the humanitarian response plan was funded at a disappointing rate of 33 per cent. Peace cannot be attained among those who are hungry. We therefore appeal to donors  — traditional and non-traditional — to significantly scale up their funding to the humanitarian response plan, underscoring the need to ensure investment in agriculture and emergency livelihood assistance to reinforce the resilience of those most vulnerable. On that front, we also underscore the need for a long term-plan for economic restructuring that would give Haitians greater purchasing power, strengthen agriculture and food production, empower entrepreneurs and small businesses and allow Haiti to become less dependent on foreign aid. Central banks should therefore be supported in coordinating efforts to strengthen the gourde. In conclusion, Haiti has grappled with instability, destructive natural disasters and multiple foreign interventions in the centuries following its independence. Nevertheless, Haitians have not lost their hope for a peaceful and prosperous future. To that end, CARICOM will continue to use its good offices, including within the context of the Eminent Persons Group, to support a Haitian-led, -owned and -focused solution that makes the people’s ambitions for peace a reality.

I now give the floor to the representative of Kenya.

I welcome the remarks and leadership by His Excellency Mr. Jean Victor Généus, His Excellency Mr. Roberto Álvarez Gil and Her Excellency Ambassador Menissa Rambally, who spoke on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General María Isabel Salvador for her dedication and for sharing her assessments, and I also thank the other briefers for their insights and efforts on behalf of Haiti. Most importantly, I commend the efforts being made by the Government and the people of Haiti to tackle their own challenges. In relation to its political initiatives, we recognize with gratitude CARICOM’s Eminent Persons Group and its facilitation of negotiations among Haitian stakeholders. Kenya, as a member of the United Nations, urgently concerned with protecting international peace and security, thanks the Security Council for adopting resolution 2699 (2023), authorizing the deployment of a Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti. The members of the Council responded to the appeals for urgent intervention made by Haitians, CARICOM and the Secretary-General and by doing so, affirmed their support for Haiti’s profound desire for peace. The mandate of the Mission is to collaborate closely with the Haitian National Police in re-establishing security, especially in countering gangs. At a time when traditional peacekeeping faces notable and dangerous challenges, the Mission is guided by a critical insight, namely, that our utmost effort should be to deploy in alignment with initiatives led by the people and Government of the country that needs support. It is vital to reinforce and extend the State’s capabilities in a manner that strengthens the social contract and avoid missions that almost replace the role of the State. In that regard, the Multinational Security Support Mission represents an innovation by the Security Council and should be embraced as a focal point for Member States and United Nations funds, programmes and specialized agencies, as well as Haitian and international civil society and all actors of goodwill. Kenya has fulfilled its role and will continue to do so. We have responded to the urgent calls of the Haitian people, in alignment with the Constitutive Act of the African Union and its emphasis on strengthening ties with the continent’s diaspora. This response recognizes that, while Haiti may currently be facing urgent emergencies, its heroic history stands as a testament to a people whose fierce love for freedom paved the way for the independence and sovereignty of billions worldwide, including Kenyans. We are proud to have offered to lead the Mission and remain committed to its successful deployment and the implementation of the mandate. Kenya has made significant progress in the preparatory phase. We extend our gratitude to other Member States joining the Mission through their contributions of personnel, equipment and funds. Following the adoption of resolution 2699 (2023) in October, Kenya promptly began the constitutionally mandated administrative and legal processes to authorize the deployment of formed police units. On 13 October, our National Security Council and the Cabinet approved and ratified the deployment. Subsequently, on 16 November, a joint session of the National Assembly and the Senate approved the deployment of 1,000 National Police Service personnel. We are currently awaiting the ruling of the High Court, scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, 26 January, in response to a private citizen’s lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of deploying Kenyan police to Haiti. Without prejudice to the outcome of the Court case, the Government of Kenya has made significant progress in preparation for the deployment of the Mission, including the following. First, we undertook assessment missions to Haiti, while engaging with its leadership, other stakeholders and partners. In addition, we engaged with critical actors on the ground in Haiti. Those engagements have provided us with an understanding of the context and issues that will shape and impact the Mission. We have engaged with Haitian authorities, members of CARICOM and other partners on pertinent preparatory activities. We prepared the base documents that will guide the Mission’s operations, namely, the concept of operations, the status-of-forces agreement, the use-of-force agreement, the code of conduct and discipline, the training curriculum and the Mission’s structure. We are also involved in selecting, vetting and training personnel who will be part of Kenya’s contingent. Risk assessment and oversight mechanisms are currently being developed, in close consultation with relevant United Nations agencies, to ensure the Mission aligns with the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy. A pre-planning meeting, which included Haiti’s security leadership, was held in December to discuss the Mission’s parameters. We are now preparing for the planning conference with other police-contributing countries, to be held in mid-February. The Multinational Security Support Mission will require dedicated resources for sustained impact. In that context, we commend the Secretary-General for the progress made in the establishment of the trust fund to support the Mission. We appeal to all Member States to urgently commit to and support the Mission by addressing the substantial resource gap. That is especially the case with contributions of funds, equipment and logistical support. Securing the widest possible support base is essential for making the Mission truly multinational, as the Council requires it to be. Currently, we are engaging with partners to prepare for a round table pledging conference, which aims to mobilize the required resources for the Mission. We hope that this initiative will enable deployment without delay. United Nations funds, programmes and specialized agencies, along with other enabled actors, need to rally in support of Haiti. That is the second, and critical, part of the innovation required. While the Mission is an important intervention, the success for Haiti will emerge only from a multi-pronged and multi-sectoral surge of support. That support must be coordinated and aligned with the on-the-ground needs, as well as the capabilities and efforts of the Haitian Government and people. Security is certainly a pressing concern, but it is just one of many interrelated major challenges that need to be tackled through coordinated sequencing. The United Nations has the knowledge and experience. For instance, its development-aligned stabilization work in multiple countries and the lessons it has learned in peacekeeping deployments and humanitarian relief, carried out by multiple agencies, must needs to be leveraged for Haiti. The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti and the United Nations country team must have the personnel, the resources and the coordination to do their part. From supporting livelihoods, responding to victims of violence, and in particular victims of sexual and gender-based violence, to supporting and extending the Government’s urgent criminal justice reforms, we need dedicated efforts to come together now. In that regard, we are especially appreciative of the sustained attention that solutions for and with the people of Haiti is receiving from the Economic and Social Council Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti. We are pleased to observe the impact of the sanctions imposed by the Security Council to curb the proliferation of arms in Haiti. We urge the international community to continue supporting the implementation of the sanctions regime, particularly in ensuring that weapons do not fall into the hands of gangs or their sponsors and supporters. We also commend the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for its assistance to the Haitian authorities in this and other areas within its mandate. As I conclude, for the sake of clarity, allow me to briefly reiterate the actions that need to be undertaken urgently in a coordinated and clearly sequenced way for the Mission to succeed on behalf of Haiti: first, strong multinational support for the Mission, while ensuring adequate resources in terms of funds, equipment and logistics; second, the determination of Haiti’s leaders and political stakeholders to use the time before and after deployment to unite and advance a political process intended to deliver credible and inclusive elections in a reasonable period — in relation to that, critical continued regional ownership, as exemplified by the sustained and efforts of CARICOM, is critical  — third, a coordinated, multi-pronged effort among the Government, security operations and United Nations agencies to support livelihoods and strengthen inclusive economic growth in the most insecure neighbourhoods — in the medium term, there should be efforts to include Haiti’s specific needs in international financial reform; fourth, strong public diplomacy and communications to engage Haitian civil society, the business community and other critical stakeholders to build trust; fifth, stemming the flow of arms, curtailing drug smuggling and trade and cutting off financial support to criminal gangs and their sponsors in Haiti; sixth, supporting the State’s capabilities in the delivery of basic services to the most vulnerable Haitians as key to building trust and reinforcing the social contract; seventh, continued strengthening of the criminal justice system; and eighth, managing spoilers, both within and outside Haiti. It would be remiss of us to conclude without emphasizing the urgency of this matter and the imperative for action. Three months have passed since the adoption of resolution 2699 (2023). We urge Member States to treat this matter with the urgency it demands.