S/PV.9679 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Canada, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Saint Kitts and Nevis to participate in this meeting. On behalf of the Council, I welcome His Excellency Mr. Garry Conille, Prime Minister of Haiti. I also welcome 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 Ms. María Isabel Salvador, Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2024/508, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti. I now give the floor to Ms. Salvador. Ms. Salvador: Major changes have taken place in Haiti since I last briefed the Council (see S/PV.9613), and I am happy to report that Haiti is making headway towards restoring democratic institutions through enhanced security and credible elections. The installation of the Transitional Presidential Council in April and the designation of a Prime Minister and a new Government, sworn in last month, are clear indications of progress. Works have continued at the Port-au- Prince airport, where flights have resumed and the building of the base that will house the Multinational Security Support Mission has been completed. A first group of Kenyan police officers for the Multinational Security Support Mission arrived on 25 June. That first deployment is an important step in the implementation of resolution 2699 (2023) and brings renewed hope to the people of Haiti. (spoke in French) On 28 May, Mr. Garry Conille, whose presence here today we welcome, was chosen as Prime Minister by the Transitional Presidential Council. On 12 June, a new transitional Government was sworn in, comprising 14 ministers heading 18 ministries. With the installation of that Government, the two-headed executive branch is committed to leading Haiti towards the restoration of State institutions through the holding of credible, inclusive and participatory elections that will lead, according to the proposed timetable, to the installation of elected authorities by February 2026 at the latest. I welcome the efforts of the transitional authorities to increase the participation of women and other minorities in key Government positions. Indeed, 6 of the 18 ministries are headed by women, accounting for 33 per cent of all ministries. Fifty per cent of Haiti’s diplomatic missions are now headed by women. Inclusion and diversity are essential to promoting a political transition that paves the way for the restoration of State institutions and effectively responds to the needs and expectations of all Haitians. I also celebrate the commitment and dedication of the Prime Minister and his Government in their fight against corruption and for human rights and justice. The fight against corruption and for justice prevents impunity. As we prepare to commemorate the third anniversary of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on 7 July, the call to bring to justice those responsible for this heinous crime continues. In that spirit, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) has renewed and refocused its strategic commitment to supporting the political process. Systematically increasing the participation of women and young people in that process is a fundamental pillar of that strategy, which we are developing jointly with the Government. With that in mind, BINUH supported the organization of the civil society forum held last week, on 27 and 28 June, in Port-au-Prince. The forum, which was attended by a large number of women’s and youth organizations from various departments of the country, aimed to promote the inclusion and participation of women and young people in the ongoing transition. We expect that the forum will establish a platform for ongoing dialogue among civil society organizations, community leaders, women’s and youth groups and transitional governance structures in order to maximize the contribution of those actors during the transition period, with a particular focus on the significant roles of women, youth and all marginalized groups. BINUH will provide strategic and logistical support for that key platform. Supporting the promotion of human rights at all levels of Haitian society is the second pillar of our strategy. Corruption has a devastating effect on public institutions and on the State’s ability to respect, protect and realize human rights, particularly those of vulnerable and marginalized people and groups. To that end, BINUH’s Human Rights Section recently supported the training of 61 magistrates from Port- au-Prince and Croix-des-Bouquets on sexual violence investigation techniques. Recently, at the Salon du droit, the biggest legal event of the year in Haiti, I had the opportunity to convey a strong message about the need for all social, political, judicial and economic actors to commit to the fight to eradicate the terrible scourge of corruption. (spoke in English) On the security front, although progress has been achieved, alarming levels of violence remain a source of great concern. Indiscriminate gang violence has been consistently spreading beyond the capital to other regions of the country. The gangs’ recurrent attacks since 29 February have severely hampered national and international efforts to fast-track the recruitment process of new police officers, and attrition rates in the Haitian National Police continue to be high. The recent designation of a new Director General of the Haitian National Police brings new hope to the continuous fight against gang violence. Human rights violations and abuses have persisted at alarmingly high levels. Documented incidents include mass shootings and targeted killings, collective rapes, kidnappings, the burning and looting of homes and businesses and the intentional destruction of facilities operated by social service providers, including hospitals and schools. I remain deeply disturbed by the indiscriminate violence and grave abuses perpetrated by armed gangs against children. Equally worrisome is the prevalence of threats and attacks against human rights defenders, journalists and members of the judiciary, many of whom have been forced to limit or stop their work, or even to flee the country. In my discussions with Prime Minister Conille, I transmitted the commitment of the United Nations to continue supporting Haiti in line with national priorities, taking into account the new context marked by enhanced cooperation with the Organization of American States and the Caribbean Community. Within its mandate and that new momentum BINUH will continue to support the transitional authorities in key areas, which include elections, constitutional reform, police development, the enhancement of political dialogue and justice and community violence reduction — to name a few. BINUH is redirecting and redefining priorities in support of the new governance structure of the Haitian-led and -owned transition. As elections are at the core of the objectives set forth by the new transitional authorities, the possibility of strengthening BINUH’s electoral expertise could be considered. As the Multinational Security Support Mission continues deploying, the establishment of a coordination mechanism among national authorities, the Mission, the United Nations in Haiti and other partners will be critical to promote complementarities, exchange information and devise effective communication strategies. I would like to express my appreciation for Member States’ efforts in ensuring the implementation of resolution 2699 (2023) and to commend Kenya’s willingness to lead the Multinational Security Support Mission. I would also like to appeal to all members to ensure that the Multinational Security Support Mission receive the sustained financial support that it needs to succeed. Turning to the humanitarian situation, it continues to worsen. There are 578,000 internally displaced persons, a 60 per cent increase since March 2024. Rates of sexual violence and abuse remain troubling. Only 20 per cent of health facilities are operating normally. Despite being faced with access constraints over the past few months, as members know, the United Nations and its partners have continued to deliver across the country. Disappointingly, the 2024 humanitarian response plan is only 24.3 per cent funded. Resolution 2699 (2023) authorized a strengthened police component in BINUH, although the financial situation of the Organization and the hiring freeze prevented us from moving forward with scaling up the police and corrections area, and the security situation that unfolded since 29 February further exacerbated that situation. In the new momentum for Haiti, as we move forward, there is also an opportunity to reinvigorate BINUH and reposition its role in the current context. As the Multinational Security Support Mission deploys, strengthening the human rights area in BINUH to be able to provide the necessary support and monitoring to ensure compliance with the human rights due diligence policy is fundamental. Resolution 2699 (2023) mandates the Multinational Security Support Mission to establish a human rights oversight mechanism. BINUH, within its mandate on human rights, stands ready to provide support — when required — to define a robust human rights compliance framework. As Haiti enters a new momentum, BINUH would be ready to support a visit by the Council to Haiti if and when that is considered opportune. I renew my full engagement, as well as BINUH’s, to work with the Government and all actors towards stability, peace and a brighter future for Haitian men, women, youth and children.

I thank Ms. Salvador for her briefing. I would like to inform the members of the Council that, after the meeting commenced, we received a request from Kenya, pursuant to rule 37 of the provisional rules of procedure. To be frank, that runs counter to the rules and practice of Security Council meetings. But in the light of the role that Kenya plays in the situation in Haiti, the presidency intends to grant Kenya the opportunity to speak at today’s meeting. There being no objection, it is so decided. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

I would like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Salvador for her briefing and for the work she and the entire team of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) are doing in Haiti during these challenging times. Those efforts are critical to supporting Haiti’s path to a democratic transition. I would also like to welcome Prime Minister Conille and Foreign Minister Dupuy of Haiti. It is important to note the strong regional representation today. Therefore, I welcome the Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic and the representatives of Canada and Saint Kitts and Nevis, who are here to share the perspectives of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti and of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). I also appreciate the participation of the Kenyans given their role, as the President noted. The Transitional Presidential Council and Prime Minister Conille’s selection of a Cabinet of Ministers are important steps towards accountable, responsive and inclusive governance that can promote security and future elections. Haiti is in crisis; it has been for some time, and the situation remains dire. Nearly 5 million people are grappling with severe food insecurity. Food, water, medicine and other essentials are often in short supply. We must surge humanitarian assistance to those in dire need, to the family that barely has enough food to get by, to the elderly person who has run out of their essential medicine, to the young child who has been forced from their home and forced from their classroom. Across Haiti, gangs have carried out unthinkable atrocities — killings, mass rapes, kidnappings, forced recruitment, exploitation and trafficking of children. Members heard the report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. Coordinated attacks by gangs have pushed tens of thousands of residents from their homes. Haitians need our help; they need peace and security. That is why the United States welcomes the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti  — authorized by resolution 2699 (2023), which will work alongside the Haitian National Police to improve security conditions. And we commend Kenya for its leadership, without which the Multinational Security Support Mission would not be a reality. As the largest donor to the Mission, the United States intends to provide more than $309 million to support the Mission’s success, with investments in logistics, equipment and training. Our support for the people of Haiti is unwavering. And we call on all international partners to do more and give more, including by providing the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti with funding and in-kind contributions. The Haitian people deserve, at long last, to live in peace — to go to work, school or a house of worship without the threat of violence. The Multinational Security Support Mission must be different, and it has to succeed. This Mission must centre accountability and human rights compliance in its conduct and its operations in order to give the Haitian people confidence in what they are doing. Robust oversight remains essential to preventing and mitigating human rights concerns. We also know that the efforts of the Multinational Security Support Mission and BINUH are inextricably linked. If the Mission can succeed in supporting the Haitian National Police and improving Haiti’s security environment, BINUH’s efforts will have greater success in implementing its mandate in key areas like good governance, police training, corrections, community violence reduction, justice and human rights reporting. We echo the Special Representative’s call for close coordination between BINUH and the Multinational Security Support Mission. And we look forward to working with our co-penholder, Ecuador, and with all Council members to fully back the renewal of the BINUH mandate. That would send a sign of unified support and solidarity for the Haitian people. As we work to ensure a better, more secure future in Haiti, we must also promote accountability for past atrocities. The Council must consider sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for, or complicit in, actions that threaten the peace and security in Haiti. The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022), concerning Haiti, and its Panel of Experts have a critical role to play in that effort. Like many Council members, we are also concerned about the illicit flow of arms into Haiti, which fuels the capacity for increased violence, civilian casualties and human rights abuses. The United States is actively working to enforce the arms embargo. Most recently, on 24 June, the head of the 400 Mawozo gang, Mr. Joly Germine, was sentenced to 35 years in a United States federal prison for his role in a gun-running conspiracy. In November 2023, the Biden Administration signed a memorandum of understanding with the Haitian National Police for the use of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Electronic Tracing System, which can help identify potential gun traffickers. And in February, we signed a memorandum of cooperation with Haiti to formally establish a Haiti transnational criminal investigative unit, which will enhance cross-border investigative capabilities. Finally, the Biden Administration announced a new rule to reduce the number of firearms sold without background checks in the United States. We urge fellow Member States to join us and take steps to strengthen enforcement mechanisms. Addressing threats to peace and security in Haiti requires durable political solutions, ones that encourage wider participation and engagement, including from women and young people. It requires development as well, developing institutions for a Haiti that can deliver to the people of Haiti. For our part, the United States is committed to working with CARICOM and other international partners to support the Government’s work to improve the lives of all Haitians and prepare the country for elections. That is the future that the Haitian people demand; it is the future that the Haitian people deserve — one of democracy, security, hope, prosperity and freedom. Let us all do our part to make this a reality.

The presence of Prime Minister Gary Conille in the Chamber, whom I welcome and congratulate on his appointment, allows me to renew the message of recognition of Haiti’s historic contribution to the freedom of Latin America and the Caribbean and, in that context, to remind the international community that this is the time to reciprocate the legacy of the Haitian people’s struggle for freedom, justice and human dignity. I thank Ms. María Isabel Salvador, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), for her briefing and acknowledge the presence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic and the Permanent Representatives of Canada, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Kenya. As we heard today, Haiti is experiencing a new reality marked by momentous events and developments issuing from the transitional governance arrangements, including the appointments of the Transitional Presidential Council, the Prime Minister of Haiti and a new Cabinet of ministers, in which valuable women will fulfil key responsibilities, which is an encouraging sign. The establishment of a provisional electoral council is the next step for Haiti to hold free, transparent and fair elections in February 2026, a process that must move forward in an inclusive manner, with the full, equitable, secure and meaningful participation of women and other segments of the population. In order to restore democratic order and governance, the necessary guarantees of peace and security must be in place for the future electoral process. In that regard, the partial deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti is encouraging and should be supported in order to ensure its timely completion. The success of that Mission, requested by the Haitian authorities and authorized by the Council, requires the strengthening of the trust fund. We urge donors to continue to support the fund and, through it, the Haitian people. The fulfilment of the Multinational Security Support Mission mandate and the strengthening of the Haitian National Police require a broad approach and, consequently, coordination among all the actors involved. I therefore consider it crucial to establish a coordination mechanism as soon as possible between the Haitian authorities, the Multinational Security Support Mission and the United Nations. All stakeholders must work together to provide a comprehensive response to the multifaceted and multidimensional crisis in Haiti, which has paralysed national institutions, deteriorated food security to its worst levels since 2010 and exacerbated human rights violations. Human rights abuses must stop. The egregious practices employed by gangs on a systematic basis, including gender-based sexual violence and grave violations against children, including recruitment, exploitation and trafficking, cannot be tolerated. Peace and justice are mutually reinforcing. The rehabilitation of the judicial and prison systems must therefore begin as soon as possible so that those guilty of human rights violations and abuses and other crimes face the full force of the law. Moreover, in this transitional period, the sanctions regime, renewed through resolution 2700 (2023), also has a central role to play in preventing gang leaders and those who finance them from operating with impunity. It is also imperative that all States take the necessary measures to prevent the supply, sale or transfer of arms to unauthorized actors in Haiti. There is a need to consolidate mechanisms for the exchange of information and regional and subregional cooperation, especially on small arms and light weapons. Haiti is entering a historic process of transition in which Ecuador recognizes and supports the work of BINUH, whose mandate must be strengthened so that it is able to perform the vital role assigned to it by the Security Council. The unanimous message of the Council in that regard will be a contribution that will ultimately translate into benefits for the Haitian people. Finally, I must reiterate my delegation’s view that the case of Haiti continues to represent an existential test for the credibility of the Security Council and the United Nations and that it is necessary to maximize efforts to support that brotherly people on its own path to peace and sustainable development.

I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Ms. María Isabel Salvador, for her briefing, and I welcome the presence of the Prime Minister of Haiti. France welcomes the arrival in Port-au-Prince of the first contingent of Kenyan police officers. That is an initial step in the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. France thanks Kenya for that contribution, along with all the other States that have been mobilized. France contributed €3 million to the United Nations trust fund. We also allocated €850,000 to the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie for language training for the contingents that will be deployed. We are also working towards a broader European commitment. The Mission is essential to provide assistance to the Haitian National Police, which has been under immense strain over the past few months. Its role is essential to restoring security in Haiti and create the security conditions conducive to the holding of elections. In order to confront the multidimensional crisis affecting Haiti, we need to address the causes of instability, particularly in terms of governance. It is beyond urgent to restore the country’s democratic institutions, without which there can be no stability in Haiti. Consequently, it is essential for the new Prime Minister and his Government, whose appointment we welcome, to develop a road map for the organization of elections, in accordance with the Kingston agreement. The United Nations plays a crucial role in assisting the Haitian Government in that process. It is essential for the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) to continue its support for the police and justice system in order to enable the Haitian authorities to provide a comprehensive response to the challenge represented by gangs. In that regard, France will continue to support the work of BINUH and the Special Representative. France will ensure that BINUH has the necessary capacities to perform its duties. The Council must continue to support Haiti on the path to stability. It must do so by renewing BINUH’s mandate this month. It can also do so by adding to the list of sanctions individuals who support and finance gangs. That will curb the actions of those who are destabilizing the country and participating in illicit trafficking. We must continue to act collectively to guarantee security and the rule of law in the country. The Haitian population continues to suffer as a result of the crisis affecting Haiti. The prevailing human rights violations and impunity must be combated. That is particularly true of sexual violence, which is on the rise. The Council must exercise its responsibilities, including by imposing sanctions. Children have not been spared either. Haiti was added to the list of situations of concern in the Secretary-General’s annual report on children and armed conflict (S/2024/384). Violations of their rights must be denounced and combated. Lastly, humanitarian access to all populations in need must also be guaranteed. France is providing more than €13 million in humanitarian aid this year, in particular to combat food insecurity and malnutrition. We will continue to support the United Nations and non-governmental organizations working on the ground.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council plus (A3+), namely, Algeria, Mozambique, Sierra Leone and my own country, Guyana. The A3+ thanks Special Representative of the Secretary-General María Isabel Salvador for her briefing. We also welcome the participation of the Honourable Mr. Garry Conille, Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior and Territorial Communities of Haiti, and Foreign Minister Dominque Dupuy in today’s meeting. We take this opportunity to congratulate Prime Minister Conille on his appointment and reaffirm our support for the transitional Government and the Haitian people during this challenging yet hopeful time. We also welcome the participation of the Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic and the representatives of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Kenya and Canada in today’s meeting. The A3+ welcomes the efforts being made to address the political and security crisis in Haiti. We underscore the need to resolve its root causes and underlying factors, and we stress the importance of inclusive political dialogue among Haitian stakeholders to build consensus on security and electoral reforms. We also commend the ongoing support provided by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and the relevant United Nations agencies, often under challenging conditions, aimed at strengthening political stability, good governance and the rule of law and at helping to create conditions conducive to advancing sustainable development. We also acknowledge the contributions of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), working with the relevant stakeholders, and the support of other regional and international partners towards those efforts. Inclusive stakeholder engagement is essential in creating a just, equitable and progressive society. That includes empowering women and young people so that they can participate equally in policy decision-making. We therefore welcome the appointment of four women to the Cabinet and the convening last week of a national forum of civil society organizations on the participation of women and young people in the transitional process. We hope that that and future engagements with civil society and women and youth organizations will help to define a path forward for their participation in decision-making. On the security front, we are deeply concerned that gang violence continues to plague many communities, as noted in the Secretary-General’s latest report (S/2024/508), which recorded 3,252 intentional homicides from January to May 2024. We also noted that the gangs have attacked police stations, schools, hospitals and other public institutions, thereby hampering the functioning of vital sectors and institutions. The A3+ therefore reiterates its support for the Multinational Security Support Mission and is pleased to note that the first contingent of Kenyan police officers arrived in Port-au-Prince last week. As we express our gratitude to Kenya for leading the Multinational Security Support Mission and to others that have pledged to contribute to it, we underscore the need for the international community to scale up tangible support, especially by contributing to the trust fund, which is critical for the Mission to deliver on its mandate. Over the past few months, we have witnessed the brave efforts of the Haitian National Police (HNP) to secure critical infrastructure. We regret that more than 20 police officers have been killed by gangs in the line of duty since January. That situation underscores the need for the HNP to receive the required training and resources to effectively address all gang attacks and regain authority over gang-controlled neighbourhoods. We therefore call on development partners to continue supporting the security basket fund. The Security Council must also continue to do its part. We look forward to the expansion of the sanctions regime and to considering further appropriate measures. Preventing the illegal flow of weapons and ammunition into Haiti is critical to stabilizing the security situation. We call on Member States to continue to support measures to combat the trafficking and proliferation of illegal arms and illicit financial flows that enable criminal activity in Haiti, and we urge the Government to enhance efforts to implement the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects and CARICOM’s Caribbean Firearms Roadmap. The A3+ further emphasizes the need for comprehensive support to undertake justice reforms and assist local authorities in their efforts to promote and protect human rights. Such efforts must include robust child protection measures and continuous training to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse. An alarming number of women and children have already been made victims of gang violence, including mass rape, kidnappings, forced recruitment and trafficking. The A3+ condemns the commission of such crimes and demands that the perpetrators be brought to justice. We call upon the authorities to ensure that the victims have access to legal and psychological support and urge BINUH and other United Nations agencies to continue working with relevant agencies in Haiti to prevent further violations. The A3+ remains concerned about the worrisome levels of internal displacement, food insecurity and cholera infections in Haiti. The Secretary-General’s report highlights that only 18 per cent of health institutions were functional as of June, with another 37 per cent working at reduced capacity. Meanwhile, the 2024 humanitarian response plan for Haiti remains under 25 per cent funded, underscoring the need to massively scale up funding for the humanitarian response. We applaud the work undertaken by local organizations, United Nations agencies, bilateral and regional partners and non-governmental organizations and urge further expansion of their efforts to address those critical needs. The complex and multifaceted challenges facing Haiti require a coordinated and unified response from the international community. We urge all stakeholders to work together in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation. Effective coordination mechanisms are essential to ensure that aid reaches those most in need and that efforts are aligned with the priorities of the Haitian Government and people. By standing together, we can make a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of the Haitian people. In conclusion, as we meet today to discuss the question of Haiti, one cannot help but reflect on Haiti’s journey  — a country that has not only paid dearly for its independence but also paved the way for the independence of so many others, in this hemisphere and beyond. The strength, determination and resilience demonstrated by the people of Haiti then, and in the years thereafter, and those of us who are benefactors of it, along with the Council’s responsibility for international peace and security, must motivate us and the entire international community to support Haiti to overcome the multidimensional challenges the country now faces. In that light, the A3+ reiterates our firm support for the people of Haiti. While the country’s future lies in their hands, we — the international community — have an important role to play in supporting its people’s inherent right to live in peace and dignity. We are truly hopeful that the progress made in recent weeks marks the beginning of a new and positive chapter for Haiti, one in which our Haitian brothers and sisters can achieve the peace, stability and prosperity they deserve. The A3+ will remain fully engaged in the Council’s deliberations on the situation in Haiti.

I would like to start by thanking the Special Envoy, Ms. Salvador, not only for her briefing but also for her efforts and those of all staff at the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). I would also like to welcome the presence of the Prime Minister of Haiti and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, as well as the representatives of Canada and Saint Kitts and Nevis, on behalf of the Caribbean Community. The multidimensional crisis in Haiti, as we have heard, persists, as confirmed by the Secretary-General’s report (S/2024/508). However, there are some positive signs. On the one hand, we are encouraged by the deployment of the first members of the Multinational Security Support Mission, under the leadership of Kenya. To restore the stability and security that Haiti urgently needs, it is essential that the Mission achieve its objectives in accordance with its mandate and with full respect for international law, in particular human rights. We also welcome the forming of a new Government. That is an essential step towards a more stable and prosperous future for the country and should pave the way for the holding of free, fair and secure elections. At the same time, we reiterate the importance of including women in all political processes, which as we heard today is encouraging, and of implementing the constitutional minimum of 30 per cent quotas for women in the civil service. I would like to highlight three further points. First, we call for full, safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to all people in need. We salute the unwavering commitment of humanitarian organizations in Haiti and remain concerned about the security risks and access restrictions their staff face every day. We must continue our joint efforts to substantially increase humanitarian aid in order to meet the urgent needs of the population. The start of the tropical storm season, including the worrisome development of Hurricane Beryl and its impact on the whole region, is also a reminder that the humanitarian situation can deteriorate rapidly. Haiti is particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, especially extreme weather events. Those effects, combined with the humanitarian crisis, intensify the security and economic risks in the country. We must therefore invest in building resilience, in particular through disaster preparedness and risk reduction measures. Secondly, crimes related to gang violence, particularly against women and girls, must not go unpunished. Perpetrators must be held accountable. To that end, the Haitian National Police and the judicial and penitentiary systems continue to need the support of the international community on a long-term basis. In addition, the influx of arms and ammunition continues to fuel violence, including endemic sexual and gender- based violence. We must all redouble our efforts to implement the arms embargo and halt the proliferation of weapons in Haiti. Thirdly, the deplorable and shocking, and increasing, recruitment of children by gangs — UNICEF estimates that 30 to 50 per cent of gang members are children  — will require greater efforts to disengage and reintegrate them in accordance with international standards. Children affiliated to gangs must be treated first and foremost as victims. The relevant national authorities must be provided with adequate capacity to address their educational, physical and psychological needs. We encourage BINUH to continue its efforts in that area. In addition, we call on the Multinational Security Support Mission to make children’s rights and safety one of its priorities by ensuring that deployed forces put in place robust child protection and safeguarding measures. A joint and coordinated effort by all the forces involved — BINUH, the Multinational Security Support Mission, the Government, the Haitian National Police and civil society — is needed to manage Haiti’s complex crisis in a sustainable manner. BINUH remains a central element of the international response in Haiti. Its human rights monitoring mechanism and its commitment to reducing violence within the community continue to respond to increasingly urgent needs. Switzerland salutes its work and thanks its staff for their efforts in very difficult circumstances. We therefore support the renewal of its mandate in order to contribute to security and stability for the Haitian people.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General María Isabel Salvador for her briefing. I welcome the Prime Minister of Haiti, the Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic and the representatives of Canada and Saint Kitts and Nevis among us. In recent months, the situation in Haiti has shown some positive signs, facilitated by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The parties and factions in Haiti have made a certain amount of progress in the political transition, and there has been some moderate easing on the security front. The first contingent of the Multinational Security Support Mission led by Kenya has finally arrived in Haiti. That said, it is important to note that the situation remains dire. The root causes of the multi-dimensional crisis have not yet been addressed and people are still living in abject misery. A comprehensive, multi-pronged approach is needed to tackle both the symptoms and the root causes. China would like to stress three points. First, we must continue to advance the political process. No elections have been held in the country since 2016, which has created a persistent political vacuum. The absence of a legitimate Government has led to a breakdown of law and order and an ever- worsening situation. China hopes that the recent momentum can be maintained to pave the way for the political transition and for elections to be held as soon as possible. In order to achieve that, every party and faction in Haiti has to prioritize the people’s interests, actively shoulder its responsibilities, enhance solidarity and forge consensus. It will be essential to establish a feasible and credible election timetable and road map without further delay and to promote a Haitian-owned and -led political process with tangible action. We hope the Haitian authorities will keep the Council up to date on the progress that is made. Secondly, in order to step up efforts to root out gang violence, we hope that the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission can proceed smoothly in assisting the Haitian police in guaranteeing the safety of key facilities such as schools and hospitals and in building their capacity to enhance security on the ground. It must also be acknowledged that the expansion of the presence of gangs is primarily driven by the constant influxes of illicit weapons and ammunition. We note with concern that according to the Secretary-General’s latest report (S/2024/508), the police in Cap-Haïtien recently seized a shipment of arms and ammunition from the United States. China calls for the Council’s arms embargo on Haiti to be effectively implemented. We urge the United States to tighten its controls on weapons and ammunition and increase information-sharing and coordination with the countries of the region to block the illicit supply of weapons and ammunition to Haitian gangs at its source. We support the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in its continued assistance to the Haitian police and customs authorities in enhancing border control. We urge the Haitian authorities to effectively fulfil their primary responsibility for maintaining security, stability and the rule of law and to work more closely with United Nations agencies to fill the gaps and close the loopholes in the country’s regulations and control. Thirdly, we must work in synergy to respond to the humanitarian challenges. Haiti is deeply mired in economic and humanitarian crises and experiencing a five-year recession, which has severely impacted its textile and garment industries. Much of the population is facing a severe food crisis, and many are displaced, with women, children and other vulnerable groups having a particularly hard time. China supports the United Nations and its regional and international partners in enhancing their humanitarian contributions, and we advocate for closer coordination and synergy among all agencies and offices. At the same time, we believe it is necessary to look beyond immediate needs and explore ways to improve Haitians’ living conditions so as to bolster their capacity for home-grown development and create an environment conducive to economic recovery and to reshaping its development foundations. The international community has been trying to help Haiti in every possible way for more than three decades, and history has shown us that the Haitian issue allows for no external solutions. Ultimately, any solution has to come from the Haitian people through their own efforts. The United Nations and regional and international partners must respect Haitians’ ownership and perform their respective functions on that basis, bringing their strengths to bear and providing practical and effective assistance. They must not take over and take charge of everything, much less go beyond their respective mandates. China commends the efforts of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), led by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Salvador, to overcome the difficulties in assisting Haiti’s response to multiple crises. We will continue to support the role that BINUH is mandated to play. However, the recently worsening security situation has severely impacted the mission’s presence and ability to implement its mandate. The immediate top priority is to create the conditions necessary to ensure that it can fully resume its operations without delay, allowing it to make the best use of its existing mandate and resources and continue to contribute to advancing the political process. At the moment, with regard to expanding BINUH’s presence outside the capital and strengthening its electoral support functions, the time is not right for such discussions.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Salvador for her briefing. I also welcome the participation in today’s meeting of His Excellency Prime Minister Garry Conille of Haiti, Mr. Roberto Álvarez Gil, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, and the representatives of Kenya, Canada and Saint Kitts and Nevis. Let me begin by welcoming the significant progress that has been made on the political front in Haiti. The swearing-in of the Transitional Presidential Council, the designation of the Prime Minister and the installation of Haiti’s new Government are crucial steps to political stability. We call on all Haitian stakeholders to work together to restore democratic institutions through the holding of free and fair elections when security conditions are met. Moreover, a Haitian-led and Haitian-owned political transition must include the full, equal and meaningful participation of women to ensure that their voices are adequately represented. We have also seen developments on the security front. We welcome the arrival of the first contingent of the Multinational Security Support Mission on 25 June, which is a key step in supporting the Haitian National Police in restoring security in Port-au-Prince and Haiti as a whole. We commend Kenya’s leadership role and look forward to the Mission’s full deployment. We also commend all States Members of the United Nations that have pledged their support and call for scaling up the financial and logistical assistance to the Mission. The Multinational Security Support Mission must act with the highest standards of conduct and discipline, based on clear human rights protocols and with effective oversight. The reports stating that children make up as much as 50 per cent of gang members are alarming and highlight their increased vulnerability to abuse and exploitation, as well as underscoring that child protection is of paramount importance in all the planning and conduct of the Mission’s operations, as stated in resolution 2699 (2023). We also hope to see close coordination among the Multinational Security Support Mission, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and other United Nations partners. Considering the mounting criminal activity and insecurity in Haiti, Malta strongly supports the use of targeted sanctions. We hope that the Council will update the list of designated individuals and entities. The full implementation of the arms embargo to halt the illicit flow of weapons is also key. Meanwhile, the humanitarian and human rights situations remain dire. Five million people are suffering from acute hunger, with the threat of catastrophic conditions re-emerging in areas where gang violence limits humanitarian access. The levels of displacement soared by 60 per cent between March and June this year, reaching nearly 580,000 people, and more than half of those uprooted from their homes are children. Kidnappings are common, with reports highlighting the horrific abuse and torture of victims, videos of whom have been shared on social media to force their families to pay ransom. Women and girls continue to be victims of systematic sexual violence, including gang rape as a tactic to spread fear or punish the population. Malta condemns in the strongest terms the extreme violence perpetrated by gangs against the population. Those committing human rights violations must be held accountable for their crimes. Haiti’s health sector also continues to be affected by gang violence, further limiting people’s access to life-saving care, while violence has forced large-scale closures of schools, keeping nearly 200,000 children and young people from accessing education. We sincerely thank and appreciate the efforts of our United Nations and humanitarian colleagues who are working on the ground and have put themselves in harm’s way to help the most vulnerable. We fully support the critical work of BINUH under the leadership of the Special Representative, and we will work with Council members for a robust renewal of the mission’s mandate this month. We hope that the international community can support humanitarian operations by scaling up contributions to Haiti’s humanitarian response plan, which remains critically underfunded.

I appreciate Special Representative Salvador’s insightful briefing. I welcome the interim Prime Minister of Haiti, Mr. Garry Conille, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, Mr. Álvarez Gil, as well as the representatives of Canada, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Kenya. We welcome the installation of interim Prime Minister Conille’s Cabinet and his strong political will to form a new elected Government in the near future through the appointment of a new provisional electoral council. We take positive note of the efforts thus far of the Transitional Presidential Council, as well as of the supportive regional engagement by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). To advance a successful political transition process, the inclusion of all Haitian people is key, as they are the agents of restoration of their democratic institutions and the rule of law. Japan calls upon all Haitian stakeholders to join the process and to promote inclusive dialogue. Despite those positive developments, forward- looking progress has been hindered by continued gang attacks, which are contributing to the vulnerability of the Haitian people. We strongly condemn the gang violence and any actions taken in support of the gangs. Japan welcomes the dispatch of the first batch of personnel for the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, as requested by Haiti. We express our warm appreciation to Kenya and all the contributing countries. Japan again calls on the international community to redouble its assistance to the Mission. We will make our best efforts to support the Mission’s mandate. We reiterate that ongoing close coordination among all stakeholders, including the Haitian National Police, is fundamental to the Multinational Security Support Mission’s effective engagement. In particular, the Mission should establish strong communication and coordinating lines with the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and the United Nations Haiti sanctions regime, including for communicating relevant security information gained through the Mission’s activities. Such coordination and collaboration will create synergy among the activities of the various actors on the ground, achieving maximum efficiency for sustainable security in Haiti. Addressing security alone is not sufficient. It should go hand in hand with Haitian efforts to tackle the intertwined root causes from a medium- and long- term perspective, building resilience in order to prevent a relapse into crisis and ensure sustainable stability in Haiti and the CARICOM region. To assist such Haitian efforts, a comprehensive approach that ensures the humanitarian-development-peace nexus is needed. At the same time, security and safety are required in order to provide assistance for fostering social and economic development. In that vein, I reiterate that the United Nations peacebuilding architecture can help Haiti’s security become sustainable. In particular, the Peacebuilding Commission can help make the international community’s approach more comprehensive through its bridging, convening and catalytic roles within and beyond the United Nations system. BINUH has played a significant role in supporting Haitian-led, Haitian-owned efforts. Japan supports the extension of its mandate and will constructively engage in negotiations to allow it to continue its work effectively, including the Office’s advisory role to the Government of Haiti, taking the latest political and security situation into account. Japan will also actively engage in the discussion towards more effective sanctions. In conclusion, Japan assures its commitment to supporting Haiti and its people, together with the Council members here, as well as all relevant partners.

I would like to thank Special Representative Salvador for her briefing today. We express our appreciation for the invaluable efforts of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) amid the continually challenging environment in Haiti. I also welcome Prime Minister Conille, Minister Dupuy, Minister Álvarez Gil and the representatives of other Member States to today’s meeting. In recent weeks, progress in the transitional governance arrangements in Haiti has given us reason for cautious optimism. We welcome the appointment of Prime Minister Conille and the installation of the Cabinet of Ministers, which, importantly, includes women in key positions. We assure the Haitian people of our continued support as they transition to restore democratic institutions through elections. That includes our commitment to work with other Council members to strengthen BINUH’s mandated activities in preparation for the elections. Recent positive milestones in transitional governance in Haiti must be accompanied by urgently needed improvements in the security situation. To that end, we welcome the deployment of the first contingent of 200 Kenyan police officers to support the Haitian National Police. We reiterate hope for the swift full deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, and we thank Kenya for its leadership. We call for close cooperation and coordination between the BINUH and the Multinational Security Support Mission. At the same time, we applaud the tireless actions of the Haitian National Police to secure critical infrastructure and conduct anti-gang operations in the capital, Port- au-Prince, despite facing operational limitations and a lack of adequately specialized personnel. In the upcoming renewal of BINUH’s mandate, we continue to support the mission’s training of the Haitian National Police as one of its ongoing priority tasks. We also support reinforcing BINUH’s activities in the wider criminal justice sector, including corrections, ensuring accountability for serious human rights abuses and effectively combating impunity. All of these efforts should be complemented by the effective implementation of the arms embargo to curb the flow of illicit arms and ammunition to Haiti. We should also extend sanctions on individuals who finance gangs and support their activities. Amid the persisting security crisis, human rights abuses, including targeted killings, continue at alarming levels and  — as we heard just now from Special Representative Salvador  — spreading beyond Port- au-Prince, to the north and south. We condemn, in the strongest terms, all forms of sexual and gender-based violence affecting women and girls and express alarm over the increased forced recruitment, exploitation and trafficking of children by gangs. We are also alarmed by gang violence, which further exacerbates the dire humanitarian situation in Haiti, resulting in deteriorating food security and the mass displacement of the population. To that end, we continue to call for allowing and facilitating humanitarian access to all those in need. Haitians can continue to count on Slovenia’s ongoing engagement and support.

I thank Special Representative Salvador for her briefing, and I welcome the participation of the Prime Minister of Haiti, the Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic and representatives of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Canada and Kenya in this meeting. The crisis in Haiti has affected the lives of Haitians for far too long. Schools are closed, hospitals have run out of supplies, and access to food is severely limited. We continue to hear chilling accounts of gangs using sexual and gender-based violence as a means to control the population. We commend the recent arrival of members of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti and pay tribute to Kenya for its leadership of the Mission. The Mission remains vital to supporting Haitian efforts to resolve instability, and the United Kingdom has pledged over $6 million to support it. The appointment of Prime Minister Conille and a Cabinet to lead the transitional Government is an important development that we strongly welcome. We urge Haitian political and civil society, with the active participation of women and youth, to seize this opportunity to address the root causes of the security crisis and to create the conditions necessary to bring about a lasting change. Prime Minister Conille can count on our support in that vital task. As we consider the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), I also want to reiterate the United Kingdom’s full support for the Special Representative of the Secretary- General and the mission. BINUH will continue to play an important role in supporting the transitional Government. That should be coordinated with the Multinational Security Support Mission. The recent developments have created positive momentum in Haiti. It is vital that the international community now support Haiti’s transitional Government in taking advantage of that, in order to bring about the stability and security that the Haitian people so desperately need and deserve.

Let me begin by thanking Special Representative Salvador for her insightful briefing. I also welcome the participation in today’s meeting of Haiti’s Prime Minister Garry Conille and Foreign Minister Dominique Dupuy, Mr. Roberto Álvarez Gil, Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic, and the representatives of Canada, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Kenya. Haiti is still suffering from rampant gang violence that prevents its people from getting access to essential services and supplies, including health care, food and water, amid unprecedented hunger and displacement. With a rising number of homicides and kidnappings perpetrated by armed gangs, the lives of civilians, including women and children, are at serious risk, not only in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince but beyond. Gender-based violence has become part of a tactic used by armed gangs to instil fear in communities. Despite those ongoing security challenges, we have recently seen some visible signs of hope. Most notably, we welcome the arrival of 200 Kenyan police officers in Port-au-Prince. The Multinational Security Support Mission, as requested by Haiti and authorized by resolution 2699 (2023), will provide critical support to the Haitian National Police in countering gangs, helping enhance security around critical infrastructure and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian assistance. My delegation commends Kenya’s leadership for that remarkable first step and the other countries involved for their contributions of personnel and funds. We hope that the first contingent of the Mission will effectively deliver on its mandate as outlined in the resolution, and we also look forward to the timely deployment of the remaining contingents, as planned. My delegation also commends Haiti’s remarkable steps towards a Haitian-led political solution, with the critical support of the Caribbean Community. We welcome the swearing-in of Mr. Conille and the new Haitian Government, including four female Cabinet ministers. We urge all Haitian stakeholders to continue making progress towards holding a free and fair presidential election that ensures the full, equal and meaningful participation of all, including women and young people. In the light of those recent developments, we want to highlight the crucial role of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), led by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Salvador. Its role should be strengthened in order to support the holding of free and fair elections, protect human rights and provide advisory support to the Haitian National Police without duplicating the work of the Multinational Security Support Mission. In particular, BINUH’s role in coordinating the efforts of the United Nations country team and the various United Nations funds and programmes and other agencies should be further strengthened. Lastly, we strongly support the sanctions regime in discouraging the criminal gangs and curbing illicit flows of firearms and ammunition. The territorial arms embargo imposed by resolutions 2699 (2023) and 2700 (2023) must be effectively implemented. In that respect, we commend the technical and investigative work of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Panel of Experts of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022). The Republic of Korea also stands ready to work on updating the targeted sanctions list.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the Russian Federation. We thank Special Representative of the Secretary General María Salvador for her briefing on the situation in Haiti. We welcome the participation of Prime Minister Garry Conille of Haiti in today’s meeting. His appointment as Head of Government is undoubtedly an important step towards strengthening Haitian Government institutions. And we support the efforts of the recently formed Cabinet and the Transitional Presidential Council in the work of governing the country during this critical period, in which the key task is to prepare and hold national elections. We also welcome the participation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, Mr. Roberto Álvarez Gil, in today’s meeting. We believe that the priorities for the transitional authorities, in addition to swiftly addressing the issue of holding presidential elections in accordance with the Haitian Constitution, should also include restoring order in the country and establishing interim administrative bodies. We stress that any external interference in those processes is unacceptable. Haitian political forces bear the primary responsibility for overcoming the crisis in their country, and the events of the past three months have shown that where there is political will, the parties can overcome their disagreements and work together for the good of the country. Nonetheless, despite progress on the political track, much remains to be done to address the situation on the ground. Armed groups continue to control 80 per cent of Port-au-Prince, including most of the strategically important transportation facilities and the capital’s key entry and exit points. Local gangs currently hold at least 500,000 firearm units, including grenade launchers and sniper rifles. Their leaders are disseminating videos on social networks showing how they are arming entire private armies to the teeth. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the main route for the smuggling of weapons runs from Florida using maritime transport and small planes, and yet we are not seeing the current embargo do anything to prevent the flow of arms from the United States. If it wanted to, Washington could have tackled that problem long ago. Instead, it seems that our United States colleagues prefer to use illegal weapons shipments, which earn American arms dealers significant sums of money, as leverage to influence the situation in the country. However, the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) has given up when it comes to using sanctions tools to address the problem. There are no proposals for listing those who are behind it. As a result, the Committee’s sanctions list currently consists of five individuals, the gang leaders. We have no objection to including representatives of the Haitian criminal world on the basis of credible and verifiable information. However, their activities are only a small fraction of the challenges facing the country. In addition, the gangs generally do not have property or accounts abroad and are not interested in travelling around the world, which is not the case with United States arms dealers. However, the Committee’s experts are clearly not eager to get into an argument with Washington. Perhaps the situation can be changed by the upcoming visit of the Panel of Experts to Haiti this summer. We expect that a full-fledged visit to Port-au-Prince will be organized for a delegation of the Committee when the conditions allow. We also support the Special Representative’s proposal to organize a mission of Security Council members to Haiti. There are hopes for specific improvements to the situation in Haiti through the efforts of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, which has already deployed its initial contingents to the island. We have taken note of the key outlines of the concept of the operation provided by Nairobi in June, and we expect further necessary information on the parameters for the Mission’s use of force, exit strategy and information regarding its financial and staffing aspects. We want to once again emphasize that the Multinational Security Support Mission should act in close coordination with the national security forces and in line with their priorities, in order to gradually transfer to them the leading role in ensuring security in their country. We have been promised that past mistakes will not be repeated, and we will be closely monitoring how the Mission operates and is received by the public in Haiti. In the current situation, we also see potential for strengthening the role of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, whose mandate is due to expire towards the middle of this month. The special political mission can and should play a greater role in facilitating a broader political dialogue both in preparing for the elections and in providing support to the Haitian National Police. At the same time, it is important for the United Nations to fully restore the level of staffing provided for in its mandate in order to enable it to implement its priorities as effectively as possible. As a responsible member of the Council, Russia will continue to provide assistance in the Haitian settlement process and to support the international efforts necessary in that regard. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I call on the Prime Minister of Haiti.

I would like to start by recognizing the presence in the Chamber of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, Mr. Roberto Álvarez Gil, as well as the representatives of Canada, Saint Kitts and Nevis and, of course, Kenya. It is with a sense of heavy responsibility and renewed hope in Haiti’s commitment to being an agent for its own future that today I am sharing with you the aspirations of millions of Haitians. Despite years of hard struggle and unshakeable resilience, our people continue to fight for a better future. Haiti, rooted in courage and freedom, is ready to turn a decisive page in its history. I would first like to thank the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, His Excellency Mr. Vassily Nebenzia, for his presidency of the Security Council this month, and to wish him every success in discharging his responsibilities. I would also like to thank the previous presidency, held by the Republic of Korea, for its exceptional commitment and efficient conduct of the Council’s work, which has strengthened our common mission. My special gratitude goes to the Secretary-General for his unwavering support for Haiti since he took office. His dedication to Haiti’s cause and his willingness to work alongside us to overcome our challenges reflect the spirit of solidarity that is essential to our progress. His continued presence and support are a source of inspiration and confidence for the Haitian people. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Ms. María Isabel Salvador, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), for her detailed and perceptive briefing on recent developments in Haiti. Her in-depth analysis and critical observations provide important insights into current issues. I also want to thank the members of the Council for their valuable contributions today. Their dedication and commitment to the stabilization and progress of Haiti are deeply appreciated. We are aware of the concerns raised by the BINUH report (S/2024/508) and support the urgent call for a lasting solution to the security problems that have been exacerbated by the activities of criminal gangs. Those challenges are threatening our country’s social and economic fabric and hampering our reconstruction and development efforts. The report also highlights the progress made in setting up transitional governance structures, which are vital to Haiti’s political and social stability. We therefore encourage BINUH to support the political process during these turbulent times. Its role remains crucial to reducing tensions, preserving and increasing spaces for discussion and encouraging inter-Haitian dialogue. Establishing solid collaboration and effective cooperation between the transitional national authorities, the Multinational Security Support Mission and BINUH remains fundamental and will help us in our quest to re-establish security and restore democratic institutions, which are strategic aspects of the transition. Solidarity between peoples is being severely tested by local, national and international conflicts. Various population groups are currently suffering the effects of nearly 30 major conflicts, leading to serious humanitarian crises and record numbers of displaced people. Yet it is in such difficult times as these that solidarity is quintessential. Haiti has clearly demonstrated that kind of active solidarity between peoples throughout its history. Both as initiator and beneficiary, the Haitian nation has always made international solidarity a pillar of its vision of the world and its commitment. Haiti once again appeals to that solidarity today with a view to emerging from the crisis that has been eroding it for decades and to making a success of its transition, whose duration and mission should be as limited as possible. Every day must be used intelligently. That is why, since my appointment as Prime Minister, we have held a number of working sessions with the Transitional Presidential Council, the institutions involved in the fight against corruption and impunity, Haiti’s forces of law and order, the private business sector, the provisional electoral council, representatives of local authorities and, of course, associations from the diaspora. In the same vein, several members of the Government have accompanied me to strategic meetings with international donors and other actors. In view of the work to be done, I would like to add my voice to that of the Haitian people in thanking those technical and financial partners for their support so far in building a better Haiti. It is more essential than ever for Haiti to mobilize all the necessary and available resources to ensure that this transition is the last and that it can set the country on a path to peace, security and sustainable development. It is therefore our duty to build solid and sincere partnerships with a view to finding appropriate strategies that take into account the aspirations of the Haitian people. Haiti is at a critical juncture, with 12,000 armed individuals holding a population of 12 million hostage. At this decisive turning point, no economic or political undertaking can be tackled without addressing the issue of security. That is why my Government welcomes the implementation of the commitments made in resolution 2699 (2023) regarding the Multinational Security Support Mission. The deployment of the first contingent of police officers alongside the Haitian forces of law and order should help curb the barbarism of criminal groups. However, Haiti must break free of the vortex of security missions once and for all. To do that, we need to redefine our approaches to ensure that by the time the Mission is concluded, the country will have strong and efficient institutions so that we and our international partners can feel a sense of accomplishment. To achieve that, my Government will take a holistic and community-based approach to security — holistic, because we need to effectively combine economic recovery with access to basic social services, and community-based, because we need to restore the population’s confidence in the police. In that context, reforming the Haitian National Police will be an indispensable element. Our exceptionally insecure situation requires a local police force capable of restoring and maintaining public order and civil peace, depending not on repression alone but on prevention and support. The reform will cover the logistical, operational and financial aspects of the police’s security mission, enabling it to protect and serve the public properly. In that way, we intend to set a course towards reconciliation between the police and the public. We are already planning serious internal restructuring procedures in order to restore confidence in this institution, which from now on must be trustworthy and effective. The Haitian security forces and the Multinational Security Support Mission alone cannot guarantee the definitive peace that is the foundation of the new Government. Making security an issue for every village and every community must involve the support of the population. That is why I am calling for a comprehensive, integrated and realistic plan to support the people. It must include the creation of adequate infrastructure that complies with modern building standards, the reorganization of certain towns, the rehabilitation and establishment of functioning basic social services and the development of employment and development centres for communities. That is the only way to restore lasting peace and security in Haiti. That holistic, integrated and realistic approach, inspired by the courage and resilience of the Haitian people, will be embodied by the new leadership of the transition. Together with our international friends, it is therefore time to revisit the support provided to Haiti. That support, which is a duty of solidarity between peoples, cannot conform solely to the wishes of the providers but must make the recipients agents capable of grasping the challenges and deciding their own destiny. The difficulties facing Haiti are enormous, with inflation above 27 per cent, almost 50 per cent of jobs lost in the textile sector alone and food insecurity affecting 4.5 million people, not to mention the 600,000 internally displaced people and the 500,000 children who can no longer attend school. The country is in the grip of violence that is paralysing dozens of hospitals and health centres. Dozens of police stations and prison facilities have been damaged or destroyed, and thousands of inmates are at large. The list could go on. However, the willingness of the main stakeholders to the political agreement arrived at on 3 April to work on addressing these pressing issues offers some hope. Cooperation between the various stakeholders has fostered a peaceful working climate, allowing the Prime Minister, in agreement with the Transitional Presidential Council members, to form a new inclusive Government, reduce State spending, institute Cabinet ministers, appoint a new Director General of the Haitian National Police and host the first contingent of the Multinational Security Support Mission. That governance, shared between political and economic stakeholders and those from civil society, and facilitated by international partners, including the Caribbean Community, whose leadership has spared no effort, shows that it is the most fitting choice for the explosive context that has rocked the Haitian political scene. That said, we absolutely cannot underestimate the mistrust, fragility and simmering tensions underlying Haiti’s political dynamics. Our young democracy has for years been drifting away from democratic governance, and we therefore need constant vigilance to safeguard our few advances. Today the ongoing transition, drawing on the road map set out in the April agreement, must pave the way forward at the end of this democratic transitional period set in train three decades ago. That will be achieved through institutional and legal reform on the one hand, and the creation of a climate conducive to economic recovery and undisputed elections on the other. Any support from international partners must take into consideration the Government’s vision for the transition so that Haiti is never again plunged into chaos. There is no such thing as an inexorable Haitian fate. The situation in Haiti is the result of a secular policy separating State from nation that has disregarded the resilience, tenacity, empathy and generosity of the people in their aspiration to live a decent life. Local and international synergies are therefore essential. In the course of my career as a United Nations official, I witnessed myriad international initiatives aimed at supporting development and stability in countries in crisis. Haiti, in particular, has received international assistance of various kinds, each designed to respond to the multiple crises we have faced, from natural disasters to political and economic problems. Despite that considerable assistance, the results fell short in various respects. It is high time that Haiti and its partners asked themselves a fundamental question: What are we going to do differently? I am already in a position to respond to that question by telling the Council that in Haiti we have been able to begin mustering men and women who are honest, responsible, courageous, competent and trustworthy. That leadership is committed to holding transparent and participatory elections with a view to changing our political representation and effectively monitoring the dynamics unleashed. The elections will contribute to establishing political and institutional stability. In order to do that they will be underpinned from an early stage by a process that includes constitutional reform, a review of the legal framework governing the functioning and funding of political bodies, support for good governance, the reinforcement of mechanisms for combating corruption and impunity, the development of a security strategy for community policing, the modernization of the judicial system and the engagement of the community, particularly young people and women, to participate in large numbers in the electoral process. As I said, we will promote a more integrated and strategic approach, involving all governmental, non-governmental and international stakeholders in coherent planning and implementation. We will focus on long-term capacity rather than short- term solutions by strengthening local institutions and supporting sustainable development efforts that are aligned with Haiti’s specific priorities. In addressing Haiti’s complex and often tragic situation, it is essential to acknowledge that while prime responsibility for tackling our challenges rests with us Haitians, we will not delegate our responsibility. We further acknowledge that international actions and policies have shaped, and continue to shape, the context in which we strive for stability and development. That mutual acknowledgement of shared responsibility is crucial to establishing a respectful and effective partnership, capable of supporting Haiti in building a better future, while respecting our sovereignty and our right to self-determination. This is an era of renaissance for Haiti, marked not only by the desire to overcome adversity but by concrete actions that reflect our commitment to sustainable peace and development. We call on the international community to recognize and sustain that momentum by working constructively and respectfully to support Haiti on the road to recovery and renewal. At this critical time, as we host fresh international security forces in Haiti, it is essential to recall that the history of foreign interventions in our country is a chequered one. While some provided support and stability, others unfortunately left painful memories of human rights violations and a lack of respect for sovereignty and local culture. On a number of occasions those events of the past compounded our challenges rather than solving them, leaving an indelible impression on our people’s collective memory. We stand at a point today where past and future converge, where every step and decision must be informed by lessons learned. We have a unique opportunity to redefine our collaboration by ensuring that any foreign intervention is made with the utmost respect for the principles of transparency and accountability, and above all that it aligns with Haitians’ aspirations and needs. As we move forward, we must introduce mechanisms that afford our people not only security, but also dignity and respect. Doing so requires close coordination and constant communication between all parties to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated. Our country is at a critical juncture in its history. We face a mammoth challenge, but we also have an unprecedented opportunity to restore peace and security to our nation. The recent arrival of the first contingent of the Multinational Security Support Mission marks the beginning of a new era for Haiti. The Mission, deployed with the support of our Kenyan brothers and sisters, whom I thank wholeheartedly, is a powerful sign of international solidarity and a concrete step towards stabilizing our country. We are going to take back control of Haiti’s territory, house by house, neighbourhood by neighbourhood and city by city. This is no mere security operation. It represents a rebirth of the national spirit and a renewal of our commitment to order, justice and peace. We will strengthen our capacities, in terms not only of equipping but also of training and strengthening the skills of our law enforcement agencies. In that endeavour, we are guided by a well-defined strategy and a commitment to unwavering coordination among all stakeholders, national and international. Our approach is strategic and marks every step towards liberating our land from the grip of criminality. The strategy being developed with the Transitional Presidential Council is based on the principles of rigour and efficiency in order to guarantee our country’s security. Haiti proudly carries the torch of freedom that has illuminated the path to emancipation far beyond its borders. Our heroic struggle for independence not only shattered the chains of slavery, but it also inspired countless peoples to rise up for their inalienable right to self-determination. Today, despite the formidable challenges we face, the irrepressible spirit of our ancestors continues to inspire our resolve. The Security Council’s continued support, faith in our people and acknowledgement of our sovereignty are not just appreciated but essential. Together, with courage and integrity, we can transform Haiti into a paragon of resilience and rebirth. To conclude, I want to say that Haiti stands at the threshold of a new era. Our resolve remains undimmed, and our hope is indomitable. In that spirit, we call for global solidarity, not only to acknowledge our shared struggle for human dignity, but also because it is the moral duty of the international community to support those who aspire to a better future. Together, with the continued and strengthened support of our international partners, Haiti will move towards lasting peace, stability and prosperity. Through our collaboration and mutual commitment, we will be able to turn the challenges of today into the victories of tomorrow. I want to express my gratitude for the faith placed in Haiti, the faith in our ability to overcome, to rebuild and to prosper. Together let us write the next chapter, a chapter in which every Haitian will have the opportunity to live in security, prosperity and dignity and in which all Haitians once again become the main protagonists in their own future.

I now call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic.

We thank Mr. Gary Conille, Prime Minister of Haiti, for the clear vision for his country that he has just shared with the Council. The Dominican Republic pledges its full support, within our means. We recognize the tireless work of Ms. María Isabel Salvador, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti, and that of her team. We also welcome Ms. Dominique Dupuy, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Haiti, as well as the representatives of Canada, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Kenya. Following my last appearance before the Council (see S/PV.9613), the Transitional Presidential Council of Haiti appointed a Prime Minister and a Ministerial Cabinet. In addition, the first contingents of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti are already stationed in Port-au-Prince. Prime Minister Conille and his Cabinet have the daunting task of setting their country on the path to peace and prosperity. The invitation he extended to the Haitian political class with his first words in office is a laudable goal which, despite requiring significant efforts, will be the only way to re-establish institutionality and peace in Haiti. The Haitian people and its leaders deserve primary credit and responsibility for what has been accomplished. But the support of the international community — both the leadership of Secretary-General António Guterres and the work of the Council — has been key. We must highlight the support of the United States, which assumed a large part of the financing, not to mention the courage of the Kenyan Government, which assumed the leadership of the Multinational Security Support Mission. It is also essential to highlight the tireless mediation work carried out by the Caribbean Community, whose political and diplomatic efforts have been fundamental in promoting dialogue and reconciliation in Haiti, in addition to coordinating international assistance and contributing personnel to the Mission. Canada’s commitment to training and equipping the Mission, as well as the resolute support of several other countries, with troops, equipment and funding, are a testament to the determination and solidarity of the international community to help Haiti overcome its challenges and build a more stable and prosperous future. The incipient progress we see today is the fruit of multilateral cooperation, a strong rebuttal to its critics and proof that this is the right path. The Dominican Republic will support the Multinational Security Support Mission by providing medical assistance to Mission personnel on Dominican territory. That will be critical to the Mission’s success. Another critical element of support that must increase is financial support, as the Special Representative indicated. We therefore urgently call on all countries that have pledged funds for the Multinational Security Support Mission to honour their pledges now, to redouble their contributions and to sustain them. To those countries that have not yet considered a contribution, we make a strong appeal to consider it with the urgency that Haiti’s situation demands. Every passing could jeopardize the future of yet another life. As far as the Security Council is concerned, we must expedite compliance with resolutions 2653 (2022) and 2699 (2023), on the arms embargo and sanctions for sponsors of criminal organizations in all their forms. Many speakers this morning endorsed that view. Now that the police component will increase its effectiveness in Haiti, those resolutions must be fully enforced. The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) has made significant progress in Haiti through judicial reforms, the training of officials and collaboration with the Haitian National Police in an effort to reduce crime. It has promoted human rights, supported employment-generating community projects and educational programmes for youth. Its coordination in disaster response and partnerships with non-governmental organizations have been vital in assisting vulnerable populations, reaffirming its crucial role in the country’s progress and stability. In the context of a multidimensional crisis, BINUH has emerged as a beacon of hope for the Haitian people and, in this new phase, it must remain an indispensable pillar in supporting the new Government and the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. BINUH must also play a vital role in coordinating the electoral process, which will give legitimacy to the new Haitian Government. Its solid preparation and recognized credibility position it as the ideal entity to lead this transcendental effort, ensuring the holding of transparent, fair and representative elections. There is ample evidence of this, including the legacy of dozens of worthy international servants of BINUH who shed their blood to assist the Haitian people, including nationals from Council members and the United Nations. We therefore urge the Council to recognize the importance of BINUH and to renew its mandate in order to ensure the peace, stability and development of Haiti. At this critical time, solidarity and unwavering commitment to Haiti are more vital than ever. Over the past almost three years, we have witnessed the efforts made in the Council, demonstrating our confidence in the United Nations system and our policy of good neighbourliness with Haiti. But we cannot be complacent with what has been achieved. The road to peace and development in Haiti is challenging, but together we can make a difference to the Haitian leaders and people. Every contribution is one step closer to a better future for the Haitian people. We urge everyone to maintain their unwavering commitment and to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of the Haitian people, thus giving them the opportunity to forge a prosperous and peaceful future. It is our duty as members of the international community to rise to this challenge and to demonstrate that solidarity and compassion transcend borders.

I now give the floor to the representative of Canada.

I am honoured to be taking part in this meeting alongside Prime Minister Conille, Minister Dupuy, Minister Álvarez Gil, Ms. Salvador and my colleagues from Saint Kitts and Nevis and Kenya. (spoke in English) I am very pleased to be able to speak on behalf of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti of the Economic and Social Council. The Advisory Group, which Canada chairs, comprises 24 member States that are committed to accompanying Haiti’s long-term socioeconomic development. We are friends, neighbours and partners of Haiti. (spoke in French) I had the great honour of meeting Mr. Conille two years ago, when he worked at UNICEF. I must say that I was very impressed by our meeting then, and I am very encouraged by the vision that the Prime Minister presented today. (spoke in English) On behalf of the Group, I want to underscore five key points. First, we welcome the positive steps taken by Haitian actors to establish an inclusive Government of transition. It has been a long road, but we have been able to do it. We are committed to accompanying the Haitian Government as it addresses the needs of the Haitian population, re-establishes democracy and stronger institutions and accelerates the country’s sustainable development. Secondly — and others have spoken of this, but let me just emphasize it — we must support Haiti in urgently addressing the immediate humanitarian needs of the Haitian population, as set out in the 2024 humanitarian needs and response plan. In terms of numbers, the plan has been funded at 24.3 per cent, as Ms. Salvador said, but let us put that in another way, which is that a sum of $674 million is what was required. If we do the math, it therefore shows that we are still more than $500 million short on the humanitarian fund. That is a real challenge, and as has already been described, the number is becoming more serious because the number of displaced people is growing. Thirdly, we welcome the arrival of the Multinational Security Support Mission, and we thank Kenya for taking on the task of leading it. We encourage Member States to contribute to making the Mission a success. Again, Member States have to walk the talk when it comes to supporting it. We are hopeful that the deployment of the Mission will bolster the capacity of the Haitian National Police to restore security. Let us all come to terms with one thing. Haitians, like every single one of us, require security so that they can safely leave their homes without fear of being killed, kidnapped or raped; ensure that the most vulnerable can access essential services; allow businesses to resume commerce; safeguard schools and academic institutions for children and youth; and yes, create the space for free and fair elections and continue the work of building stronger institutions. Fourthly, we encourage Haitian institutions to continue the work of addressing the root causes of the country’s vulnerability and instability, including extreme poverty, corruption, impunity and a collusion between the political and economic arenas that we believe lies at the root of the problem. And yes, we all need to be prepared to support those efforts, not just in a day but over time. Our consultations with stakeholders have identified a host of areas where we believe that Haitian capacities still require strengthening. They include providing security and human rights protection for the population; delivering essential services, particularly education and health; building resilient food systems; curbing the flow of arms and ammunitions to the gangs — which was referred to in several statements, and I particularly want to thank the United States for some important announcements that it has made over the past several months to make a difference to that critical question  — as well as dismantling the gangs and reducing violence at the community level; empowering women and girls and addressing sexual and gender-based violence; investing in education and vocational opportunities for young people; promoting inclusive economic growth and job creation; strengthening the rule of law and building the country’s resilience to the disruptive impacts of disasters and climate change — which, by the way, the region is experiencing today as we speak. Lastly, considering Haiti’s multidimensional crisis, the active support and expertise of the United Nations across all of those areas is essential to advancing Haitian- led solutions and working together in coordination with other partners, including regional organizations and the international financial institutions. We strongly urge the Council to renew the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) for at least 12 months. Given the gravity of the situation in Haiti, we urge the Security Council to ensure that BINUH is adequately equipped, in terms of personnel and resources, to engage with Haitian stakeholders and effectively assist Haiti throughout this crisis. Now is the time for all of us to reaffirm our solidarity with the Haitian people and mobilize our support for Haiti. (spoke in French) It is time for us to reaffirm our solidarity with the Haitian population and mobilize our support for Haiti, not only in our words but in everything that we do in practice, in order to ensure peace, security and justice for the Haitian population.

I now give the floor to the representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Let me begin by offering the congratulations of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to you, Mr. President, on assuming the presidency of the Council for July, and our best wishes to your delegation. CARICOM also thanks the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Haiti, Ms. Salvador, for her briefing on the report of the Secretary-General (S/2024/508) on the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). I am pleased to share the reflections of the 14 CARICOM member States on the situation in Haiti. We have found the report to be not only comprehensive but instructive, and we continue to be grateful to the team at BINUH for their unwavering efforts to assist our sister nation in restoring democracy, peace and security. CARICOM welcomes the progress that has been made in strengthening good governance in Haiti, and it took note of the official appointment of the Transitional Presidential Council and of the transitional Prime Minister, Mr. Garry Conille, and his Cabinet. We emphasize the importance of continued collaboration among the members of the Council and with other stakeholders to foster an enabling environment for greater political stability in Haiti. Those developments are critical steps towards the holding of free and fair elections in Haiti, and we extend our best wishes for success to Prime Minister Conille as he leads his country at this important juncture. We also express the region’s steadfast support for the people of Haiti and our deep commitment to prosperity, progress and peace there. The state of heightened insecurity in Haiti, perpetuated by ongoing violent gang activity, remains of serious concern to the region. As the report observes, gang violence hampers the functioning of vital sectors. Tackling gang violence therefore remains one of the most pressing priorities in the work of achieving stability in Haiti. Without that stability, it will be virtually impossible to make progress on other key fronts. The gang violence has been manifested in myriad ways, and CARICOM is deeply concerned about the fact that the number of intentional homicides has risen significantly over the reporting period. We are also alarmed by the incidence of sexual violence against women and girls and by the recruitment of children. The demolition of three police stations and three prisons by gangs further exacerbates the operational limitations of those charged with preserving the rule of law in Haiti. Deliberate attacks on institutions that form part of the criminal justice system must be seen as strategic actions aimed at keeping the country in a state of lawlessness. CARICOM condemns those actions and demands accountability for those crimes. In that context, CARICOM applauds the Government of Kenya for deploying the first contingent of police officers to Haiti on 25 June, in accordance with resolution 2699 (2023). We remain supportive of the mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission to buttress the efforts of the Haitian National Police, re-establish security and create the security conditions needed for holding elections. We urge the Council to continue to support the mandate of the Mission. As several of our own member States continue to finalize internal arrangements for their own deployments of security officers to Haiti and for other forms of support to the Multinational Security Support Mission, we strongly implore fellow Member States to also increase and enhance their support for it. As emphasized in the report, significant and additional efforts by international partners are required to fulfil the budgetary and operational needs of the Mission and ensure its continued deployment for the duration of the political transition in Haiti. The success of the Mission will play a critical part in creating conditions in Haiti conducive to development. Furthermore, progress in Haiti, including on human rights, hinges on the stabilization of the security situation. The success of the Multinational Security Support Mission will therefore be as much a success for the international community as a whole as it will be for the Haitian people. CARICOM is deeply troubled by the humanitarian situation in Haiti and has taken note of the underfunding of the 2024 humanitarian response plan. The state of food insecurity in Haiti remains a serious concern, and CARICOM has taken particular note of the impact that the scarcity of nutritious food is having on children. It is alarming, for example, that approximately 276,000 children aged between 6 and 59 months are likely to suffer from acute malnutrition by the end of 2024. CARICOM calls for scaling up humanitarian assistance to Haiti in the immediate term and for the support of the international community so that the country can strengthen its capacity and achieve food security. In conclusion, CARICOM is issuing a clarion call to the international community to accelerate its efforts and take concrete action to provide Haiti with adequate support in building stronger democratic institutions and restoring peace, stability and prosperity. Our collective action is paramount if Haiti is to overcome its multifaceted challenges. CARICOM reaffirms its steadfast solidarity and support for Haiti and will continue to actively engage in legitimate efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution of the ongoing crisis. We also express our profound gratitude to all stakeholders for their ongoing support to our sister nation.

I now give the floor to the representative of Kenya.

I congratulate you, Mr. President, and the delegation of the Russian Federation on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of July. Please accept our best wishes for a successful execution of your programme of work. My delegation warmly welcomes the remarks and leadership of His Excellency Prime Minister Garry Conille of Haiti. I reiterate that the Kenyan delegation looks forward to continuing its close collaboration with the Haitian delegation in fulfilling the mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission. I acknowledge the presence at today’s meeting of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic and the representatives of Canada and Saint Kitts and Nevis. I also thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Ms. María Isabel Salvador, and other speakers for their insights and efforts on behalf of Haiti. We are delighted to have the opportunity to attend and make a statement at the Council’s quarterly briefing on Haiti. It is particularly critical because on Friday, 21 June, in a closed meeting (see S/PV.9664) of the Council on Haiti, Kenya, as the lead nation for the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti, briefed the Council on the state of preparedness following the adoption of resolution 2699 (2023). We also shared a detailed report on the preparations for the Mission’s deployment, gave a briefing on the critical operational documents developed to guide the Mission, including the concept of operations, and informed the Council of the imminent deployment of the first Kenyan police contingent of the Multinational Security Support Mission. We are delighted to confirm for the Council that Kenya’s deployment of the first contingent has taken effect. On 25 June, the first Kenyan police contingent of the Multinational Security Support Mission, made up of 200 formed police units, arrived in Port-au-Prince to a warm reception and a strong expression of support from the Government and the people of Haiti. Since its arrival eight days ago, the contingent has held operational meetings with the Haitian National Police (HNP) and commenced joint operations, undertaking a number of significant assessments to guide the operations of the Mission. Between 25 and 28 June, a delegation of senior officials from Kenya, led by our National Security Advisor, who accompanied the contingent, were able to engage with a range of Haitian stakeholders. At the operational level, the team held a number of meetings. It met first with the interagency working group and deliberated on the Mission’s crucial logistical requirements. It then met with the leadership of the Haitian National Police, led by the Director General, addressing the structure of the Mission, interoperability with the HNP, equipment- sharing, training, joint operation planning and aligning Mission objectives with those of the HNP. The Kenyan delegation also met with the political leadership of Haiti, first with Mr. Carlos Hercule, Minister of Justice and Public Security, and then with Prime Minister Conille and the Transitional Presidential Council, led by its President, Mr. Edgard Leblanc Fils. At those meetings the leaders welcomed the deployment of the first contingent of the Multinational Security Support Mission, thanked Kenya for accepting the leadership of the Mission and for the deployment of its first contingent, and expressed optimism that the Mission would support the Haitian National Police in the fight to eradicate the gangs, restore public safety and security, build safer neighbourhoods and midwife a new political dispensation through free, fair and credible elections. Lastly, they expressed strong support for the Mission. The delegation also engaged with the media, explaining the essence of the Mission and calling for public support, as well as with the diplomatic community in Haiti, calling for stronger international support in order to take advantage of the current positive momentum and enable the Mission to deliver on its mandate. Importantly, Prime Minister Conille visited the first contingent of Kenyan police officers on Wednesday, 26 June. Reiterating his welcome, the Prime Minister announced a robust strategy to liberate Haiti from gang control. We all listened to the Prime Minister this morning and heard his commitment. Furthermore, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working closely with the Haitian National Police and the newly arrived Kenyan forces. We thank the Member States whose contribution enabled the initial deployment. Particular mention goes to the United States of America, with which we have been working closely in the planning as well as in the provision of equipment and logistical support for the Multinational Security Support Mission. Our initial deployment is proof of concept, which we hope will provide comfort and confidence that translates into support for the Multinational Security Support Mission. That is important because there is an urgent need to surge the level of forces in-theatre in order to achieve the desired impact. We therefore call for the conversion of pledges into concrete support, while also calling on all Members of the United Nations to step up their support for the Multinational Security Support Mission and the people of Haiti in terms of the current humanitarian needs. We also see an opportunity for stronger coordination on the ground with the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti to ensure seamless interoperability in the delivery of such services as humanitarian access and capacity building for the security sector, which we consider crucial for public safety and sustainable peace for Haiti and in Haiti. Finally, we reiterate the commitment of Kenya to continue offering its leadership to the Mission as we coordinate with Member States on their contribution to make the Multinational Security Support Mission a success.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject.