S/PV.9735 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Haiti, Jamaica and Kenya to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2024/695, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by Ecuador and the United States of America. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2751 (2024). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting.

First, the United States recognizes and appreciates Ecuador, our co-penholder on this resolution (resolution 2751 (2024)). I thank them for their leadership and partnership. We also extend our deep gratitude to Kenya. Without Kenya’s dedication and resolve, we would not be here today. And finally, I want to commend the Government of Haiti for engaging the international community to help address the dire security situation facing the Haitian people. Today’s unanimous renewal of the mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti sends a strong message to the people of Haiti: the world is standing with them, and we are unwavering in our effort to help restore security and stability and put the country on the path of peace and prosperity. Today’s unanimous vote also builds on the recent announcement of new United Nations sanctions listings, and we encourage the Haiti Sanctions Committee to take further steps to hold accountable those responsible for fuelling gang violence. In addition, we thank our partners in the Caribbean Community and beyond for their generous pledges of personnel, equipment and financial contributions to the Multinational Security Support Mission. With that support, we have seen the Mission make tangible progress, but we still have significant work ahead. In order to harness existing momentum to continue countering gang violence and re-establishing a sense of safety, we must remain committed. Additional financial contributions are urgently needed to support the Mission in the near term, and we strongly urge other donors to consider making contributions. While we work to bolster the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti now, we must also heed clear calls from the Haitian Government to ensure long-term sustainability of the effort. As President Leblanc Fils said before the General Assembly, a transformation of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti to a United Nations peacekeeping operation will secure more stable funding and expand the Mission’s capabilities. The United States stands ready to heed Haiti’s call. We would urge those who have voiced scepticism in that regard to accord proper value to the perspective and consent of the host Government, the representative of the Haitian people. We also share Haiti’s view that we must remember the past to avoid making the same mistakes in the future. This is an opportunity, one to right past wrongs and restore the image of international missions in Haiti. For the first time in years, Haiti finally has a path to political stability. In adopting this resolution today, the Council has helped Haiti continue to re-establish security and to create the conditions necessary to hold free and fair elections. Let us therefore work together to build on the progress of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. Let us embrace a new approach that sustains it. Let us protect the fragile but inspiring opportunity to build a better future for the Haitian people. We look forward to continued Council deliberations on this matter in the months to come.

First of all, let me also congratulate the United States delegation, without whose leadership this resolution (resolution 2751 (2024)) would not have been possible. I am grateful for its commitment to peace in Haiti. I welcome the unanimous adoption of resolution 2751 (2024), proposed by Ecuador and the United States. The Security Council’s authorization of the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission until October 2025 is a momentous step in support of the Haitian people, from which we can move towards creating the necessary security conditions for free and transparent elections. Kenya’s leadership of the Multinational Security Support Mission is praiseworthy, as is the support for its deployment in the region, particularly in the Caribbean Community, which in just three months has helped to start restoring the hope of the Haitian security forces that they can regain control of territories in the hands of the criminal gangs that have terrorized the country for too long. Resolution 2751 (2024) is a necessary complement to resolution 2699 (2023) and its robust provisions on human rights, sexual violence, prevention, accountability and child protection. It is also significant in that it sends a message to the international community not to abandon the Haitian people, and to encourage greater contributions and voluntary support for the Mission. Just as the authorization of the Multinational Security Support Mission was essential to restore peace and security in Haiti, all stakeholders must start to give consideration to the Mission’s exit strategy and transformation, including a peacekeeping operation — not to do so would be irresponsible. Haiti continues to face a protracted crisis, exacerbated by the activities of criminal gangs and their violent and indiscriminate attacks. The civilian population, especially women and children, have been disproportionately affected by that violence. As we stated in the Council a year ago, when resolution 2699 (2023) was adopted (see S/PV.9430), the security support provided by the Multinational Security Support Mission is essential, but it is not a panacea on its own. The adoption of this resolution reaffirms Ecuador’s strongest commitment to the Haitian people and to the search for sustainable solutions that address the structural causes of violence. The commitment we made in January 2023 in the Council goes back to our peoples’ history of brotherhood and will continue until the day when the Haitian people find their own path of sustainable peace and development.

China welcomes the unanimous adoption by the Security Council of the resolution extending for one year the authorization of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti (resolution 2751 (2024)). Since the adoption of resolution 2699 (2023) by the Council in October 2023, the international community has been actively promoting the early deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission so that it can play its role in stabilizing the situation. After many rounds of consultations between Haiti and Kenya, a bilateral agreement on deployment arrangements was finally signed in March 2024, enabling the Mission to begin its deployment. At present, the Mission has deployed more than 400 people, and has made some progress in fighting gang violence by conducting multiple operations. Subsequent deployments are also under way. China hopes that the Mission will accelerate its full deployment and help the Haitian police to enhance their capacity to combat gang violence and strengthen the protection of residential areas, hospitals, schools and other civilian facilities, as well as the protection of civilians, so as to play a greater role in improving the security situation in Haiti. We note that the Mission still has a rather large funding gap, and that a large portion of pledged funds has not yet been realized. China calls on the relevant contributing countries to fulfil their commitments as soon as possible and to provide the Mission with stable financial resources. We support the United Nations trust fund in strengthening the mobilization, management and use of funds in order to play its due role in ensuring the effective operation of the Mission. In earlier consultations, some members had proposed to promote the transformation of the Mission into a United Nations peacekeeping operation. The United Nations has sent multiple peacekeeping operations to Haiti, but the results have never been satisfactory, and the lessons learned have been extremely profound. We believe that it is imperative that resolution 2699 (2023) be implemented and that the role of the Mission be truly realized. Discussing other options now will only interfere with the implementation of the Mission’s mandate. After all, peacekeeping operations are not a panacea, let alone a back-up plan. What is more, the conditions for the deployment of peacekeeping operations are not in place in Haiti right now. Haiti has long been mired in multiple crises. If there is no legitimate, effective and accountable Government, it is difficult for any external support to have a lasting effect. We hope that the parties and factions in Haiti put the interests of the people first and come up with a feasible and credible elections timetable and road map as soon as possible so as to effectively promote a Haitian-led and Haitian-owned political process. At the same time, if illegal arms and ammunition continue to flow into the country, no amount of external support can fundamentally improve the security situation in Haiti. We urge the countries concerned to effectively strengthen the control of arms and ammunition, and we look forward to stronger measures by the Council when it discusses the extension of the sanctions regime concerning Haiti next month.

The Republic of Korea voted in favour of the resolution proposed by the United States and Ecuador (resolution 2751 (2024)), reaffirming our commitment to the people of Haiti and supporting the Multinational Security Support Mission to restore public security, thereby advancing a Haitian- led, Haitian-owned political process. The situation in Haiti continues to present complex challenges to both national stability and regional security. Violence, criminal activities and the mass displacement of the Haitian people still demand our urgent and decisive action. It is our shared responsibility to address those challenges, which is precisely why we authorized the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission one year ago and renewed its mandate today. We have seen tangible progress in Haiti with the initial deployment of the Mission in June. The Mission has provided critical support to the Haitian National Police and contributed to enhancing security. However, much more remains to be done. It is time for us to focus on ensuring the sustainability of the Multinational Security Support Mission so that it can operate effectively with a long-term vision. To that end, the Republic of Korea stands ready to explore various options with the members of the Security Council. While the commitment of Multinational Security Support Mission participating States has been exemplary, it is clear that additional voluntary contributions and support are necessary. In that regard, Korea has also considered making the necessary contributions and providing support. Last but not least, I would like to point out that we are at a critical juncture in preventing the multifaceted crisis in Haiti from worsening. To move forward, we must heed the call of the Haitian people, understand their needs and support them in determining their path. I would like to conclude by expressing our solidarity with the people of Haiti and reaffirming our unwavering support for the Multinational Security Support Mission.

I also thank Ecuador and the United States as the co-penholders for leading the Council to renew this important mandate. At the outset, I would like to applaud the courage, efforts and dedication of the Haitian National Police (HNP) as they fight to restore normal daily life for ordinary people, securing safety on the ground. We also commend the Multinational Security Support Mission, which is aiding them in that endeavour. Japan voted in favour of the resolution to extend the mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission (resolution 2751 (2024)) because there remains a strong need to provide Haiti with effective international support, as requested by the Haitian Government, in order to tackle the continued insecurity and threats posed by gangs. The Haitian Government has also reiterated the need to secure resources sustainably, including to start discussions on the transformation of the Multinational Security Support Mission into a United Nations peacekeeping operation. Taking that request, the Security Council should start considering possible options. When the Council authorized the establishment and deployment of the Mission last year, its purpose was firmly grounded in supporting the HNP, including through capacity-building efforts, in strict compliance with international law. Now that the mandate will continue, it is essential for both the Mission and the Security Council to continuously assess the Mission’s activities, operations and format in order to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability. In that regard, we look forward to the leadership of the Multinational Security Support Mission reporting to the Security Council and developing a strategy, as requested in paragraphs 18 and 20 of resolution 2699 (2023), respectively. We again convey our sincere appreciation to Kenya, Jamaica and other contributing countries. We encourage other Member States to provide personnel, financial and material support and expertise to the Multinational Security Support Mission and any related efforts. We further call for effective coordination among donors and the United Nations system to create synergies and maximize the impact of their contributions. Let me conclude by reaffirming our unwavering commitment, together with the international community, to supporting the Haitian Government and people in their quest for long-term security and stability.

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. I acknowledge the presence of the representatives of Haiti, Jamaica and Kenya in this meeting. The A3+ welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2751 (2024), renewing the mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission until 2 October 2025. We thank Ecuador and the United States for their leadership as co-penholders and the consultative negotiation process, especially amid a busy high- level week. The A3+ voted in favour of resolution 2751 (2024) to reiterate its full support for the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission, and in recognition of the critical role it is meant to play in helping the Haitian National Police (HNP) to restore security and stability in Haiti and prepare the conditions for elections. That renewal is occurring at a critical juncture in Haiti’s transition process. It is true that one year ago, we expected that the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission would have happened much more rapidly than what has been achieved to date. However, even in the light of the challenges, the Multinational Security Support Mission has, over the past three months, been able to help the HNP to achieve some success in retaking critical neighbourhoods in Port-au-Prince. Its presence in Haiti, coupled with positive developments on the political front, has also created a sense of expectation among the Haitian people that the situation could improve sooner rather than later and that the country could return to normalcy. The A3+ welcomes the deployment of Kenyan, Jamaican and Belizean personnel to the Multinational Security Support Mission and awaits the further deployment of personnel from the other contributing countries. We urge the Mission leadership and the Haitian Government to keep the Council updated on the progress of the Mission and commit to supporting the Multinational Security Support Mission in the execution of its mandate. We call upon all States that have made pledges of support to fulfil those promises. We also strongly urge all Member States to urgently scale up support for the Mission through funding, equipment, logistics, personnel and other needed resources. The reality is that, even with this mandate extension, a full implementation will not be possible without a rapid and substantial increase in funding and other forms of support. We must simultaneously consider scaling up humanitarian support and other forms of development support that are urgently needed for Haiti. The A3+ welcomes the decision taken on Friday by the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) concerning Haiti to impose sanctions on two individuals involved in activities that threaten Haiti’s peace, security and stability. We believe that that is a demonstration of the Council’s commitment to addressing the violence perpetrated against the people of Haiti, and we are committed to enhancing the effectiveness of the sanctions measures, including by expanding the list of designations and implementing the arms embargo. In conclusion, the A3+ reiterates its firm support for the people of Haiti. We are hopeful that the progress made since the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission and today’s mandate renewal will encourage an acceleration in support that will facilitate a successful restoration of security across Haiti.

On behalf of the United Kingdom, let me thank Ecuador and the United States for their leadership of this negotiation. We are pleased to have voted in favour of a resolution that extends the mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti (resolution 2751 (2024)). That unanimous adoption is a sign of Council unity behind the need for continued security support effort to Haiti. The support needs to be sustainable. We echo the call from Haiti and other partners to consider options for the transformation of the Mission. The United Kingdom pays tribute to the leadership of Kenya and to the support and role of other nations, including Jamaica, in this Mission, and we look forward to further updates on the progress of the Multinational Security Support Mission going forward.

France welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2751 (2024). That resolution renews the mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti for one year. That support is essential to create the necessary security conditions for the holding of elections in 2025. What is at stake is bringing the transition process to fruition. I commend Kenya and the other contributors of personnel for their commitment. France has fully contributed to the restoration of security in Haiti. We were the first in 2023 to contribute to the United Nations trust fund for the Multinational Security Support Mission. We have just announced an additional contribution of €2 million. We have also allocated nearly €2 million to the International Organization of la Francophonie to provide French and Creole courses for non-French-speaking personnel deployed in the country. France is continuing to provide bilateral support to the Haitian National Police, with €2 million in aid since 2023. We are also working with our European partners to initiate financial support from the European Union. On the humanitarian front, France is continuing to provide support for the most vulnerable populations, to the tune of more than €14 million this year. France is working to ensure that the Security Council uses all the levers at its disposal to help Haiti towards a return to stability. Sanctions are one of those levers. We have advocated in favour of extending them to political and economic leaders who support and finance gangs. In that regard, France welcomes the fact that the Council has agreed to add two individuals to the sanctions list. The unanimity of the Security Council sends a strong message to the Haitian people. We must explore all means of ensuring that that support continues. France is convinced that the United Nations, through its strategic and operational expertise and through the logistical support that the Organization can provide, has a critical role to play in sustaining the Mission and responding to the multidimensional crisis that Haiti is currently facing. Finally, we need to respond to the Haitian Government’s request to consider a possible transition to a United Nations peacekeeping operation.

We thank the co-penholders, Ecuador and the United States, as well as the other members of the Council, for their efforts to reach the unanimous decision to renew the mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. That decision once again sends a strong signal of solidarity with the Haitian people and responds to persistent calls for help in a situation of grave crisis, which is also reflected in an alarming humanitarian situation. We continue to insist that international law and human rights, in particular, be respected and be an integral part of this Mission if it is to fulfil its mandate successfully. We welcome the importance that continues to be given to protecting children and addressing the dimensions of sexual and gender-based violence. Complex challenges call for agile responses. That is why this Mission must be coordinated with other international support efforts under way on the ground, in particular the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti. We continue to call for effective coordination mechanisms so as to ensure rapid information-sharing and the efficient use of synergies. Finally, the renewal of the Mission’s mandate is part of an ongoing deployment. We salute Kenya’s leadership and the commitment of other States in support of the Mission. We commend, in particular, those who have already deployed, and we encourage others to follow suit. The Haitian people deserve to live in peace, security and prosperity. Let us continue to work tirelessly to support their aspirations.

Malta welcomes today’s unanimous adoption of resolution 2751 (2024), which renews the mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. We thank the co-penholders — Ecuador and the United States — for their tireless efforts over the past weeks. This Mission must be the lifeline that the Haitian people desperately need to support the Haitian National Police in bringing security and law and order and to enable the holding of inclusive, free and fair elections to restore Haiti’s democracy. We remain deeply troubled that children continue to face extreme violence. Their recruitment by armed gangs continues to be a matter of critical concern. We commend Kenya’s leadership of the Mission and the deployment of the first 400 Kenyan personnel to Haiti, as well as the arrival of personnel from Jamaica and Belize. We also commend all Member States that have pledged their support to the Mission and hope to see a scaling up of donations to the United Nations trust fund. We underscore that the Mission must perform its exemplary standards of conduct and discipline, operating fully and transparently in accordance with international law and implement all aspects and protections of resolution 2699 (2023). In the past 12 months, Haiti has seen great progress on the political front. It is critical that the political and security tracks advance in parallel, and today’s renewal is an important step towards that end. We are hopeful that the Mission will be a robust example of the solidarity that Haiti desperately needs and deserves, putting it back on its path to democracy, security and prosperity.

The Russian Federation voted in favour of the draft resolution submitted by the United States of America and Ecuador to extend the mandate, unchanged, of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti for the period of one year. By unanimously adopting the resolution, the Council sends a message of support for Kenya and other troop- contributing countries in their efforts to stabilize the dire situation in Haiti. It has been only three months since the deployment of the Mission in Haiti began, and we trust that throughout this new mandate, the Mission will be able to expand its presence and achieve its objectives related to countering organized crime in the country. Until that happens, we believe that it is premature to plan any changes in the international presence. It is clear that crime cannot be defeated by force alone. There is a need for resolute and urgent action to counter the smuggling of American weapons that have flooded into Haiti. It is also important to ensure Haiti’s internal political stabilization and to bring the country back to the constitutional track through further advancement of inclusive dialogue and the conduct of presidential elections. We believe that the Council should prioritize those two objectives, in particular.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Slovenia. Slovenia voted in favour of resolution 2751 (2024) and welcomes the consensus reached by the Council members on its text. The resolution, which extends the mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, comes at a pivotal moment for its operations on the ground. While the security situation in Haiti remains concerning, the Mission, now comprising personnel from three different nations, is providing important operational advancements to the Haitian National Police. The extension of the mandate paves the way for the reinforcement of the Mission and its delivery of the impactful results that the Haitian population expects and deserves. That being said, we encourage additional voluntary contributions and support for the Multinational Security Support Mission, as they are essential for its accelerated deployment. The unanimous adoption of today’s resolution is not a final goal, but rather an important milestone upon which we must build. The Council’s efforts to improve the humanitarian and human rights and the political and security situation in Haiti must continue, using all the tools at our disposal. In that process, while ensuring that the mistakes of the past are not repeated, we reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with the Haitian people, whose best interests will continue to guide us in the Council’s work. I resume my functions as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the representative of Haiti.

Allow me, at the outset, to commend the excellent quality of work during Slovenia’s presidency of the Security Council. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to all the member States of the Security Council for their continuous support for Haiti and for their commitment to helping it overcome the serious multidimensional crisis it is experiencing. That support was demonstrated again today with the unanimous vote in favour of resolution 2751 (2024), renewing the mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti for a year. This is a vibrant testimony — not only to international solidarity with my country, but also to the collective awareness of the many profound challenges it is facing. Resolution 2699 (2023), adopted by the Council in October, enabled the deployment of the Mission, authorizing member States to support the efforts of the Haitian National Police. This Kenyan-led operation has demonstrated its effectiveness in a number of critical areas, notably by re-establishing security in neighbourhoods previously controlled by armed gangs. We acknowledge and salute the considerable efforts of the contributing countries and remain deeply grateful for their commitment. However, despite the establishment of the Mission, which has undoubtedly helped to partially calm the security situation, we must admit that the challenges are still enormous and complex. Gang violence continues to tear at the fabric of society, and human rights violations are multiplying, plunging thousands of families into distress. Insecurity is omnipresent, paralysing the economy, undermining institutions and stoking fear among the population. In the course of the first half of this year, the United Nations recorded 3,638 homicides, which is an increase of almost 74 per cent compared to 2023. And despite the arms embargo imposed in October 2023, gangs have continued to illicitly procure weapons and munitions. It is therefore clear that the Mission in its current state continues to face significant limitations. Financial and material support, which the Mission desperately needs, remains insufficient. Furthermore, there is no doubt that the Mission should be reinforced in order to be fully operational, and, in that regard, the transformation of the Mission into a peacekeeping operation under the mandate of the United Nations seems not only necessary but urgent. Such a transformation would guarantee not only more stable financing through assessed contributions from Member States, but it would also help to increase the Mission’s capacity to a level commensurate with the magnitude of the present challenges in Haiti. That is why, on behalf of the Haitian Government, I reiterate the formal call by the President of the Transitional Presidential Council, His Excellency Mr. Edgar Leblanc Fils, who, during his statement in the general debate of the General Assembly at its seventy- ninth session, invited the international community to reflect on converting the Mission into a United Nations peacekeeping operation. We firmly believe that such an approach is crucial if we are to maintain the gains of the Mission, enhance national security and establish the necessary conditions for the holding of free and fair elections in the near future. It is evident that Haiti alone cannot surmount the challenges plaguing it. The current situation is the result of years of political instability, an asphyxiated economy, weakened governance and the rise of armed groups that exploit the structural weaknesses of the Haitian State. The political transition in Haiti remains fragile, and security-related instability continues to thwart the country’s recovery efforts. However, we firmly believe in the ability of the Haitian people to surmount those challenges, provided that the international community continues to support us with the same level of solidarity, the same determination and, above all, sufficient resources to support the stabilization process. Together we can build a stronger, safer and more prosperous Haiti.

I now give the floor to the representative of Kenya.

I congratulate you, Mr. President, and through you the Slovenian delegation, for the exemplary leadership of the Security Council during the month of September. On 2 October 2023, the Council, responding to an appeal by the Haitian authorities and taking into consideration the recommendation of the Secretary- General, authorized the establishment of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti to support the Haitian National Police in its efforts to deal with the menace of dangerous armed gangsters and to restore security (resolution 2699 (2023)). By unanimously adopting resolution 2751 (2024) authorizing the continuation of the Mission, the Council has demonstrated confidence in the Mission to execute the robust mandate that corresponds to the gravity of the situation. More importantly, it has sent a clear message with a unified voice to the people of Haiti that the international community is unwavering in its support for their unflinching efforts to free themselves from the grip of criminal gangs. The Council has underscored, by taking action, its determination to restore the dignity of women, men and children who have suffered from prolonged violence and instability. Kenya congratulates the Security Council for renewing the Mission’s mandate for another period of 12 months. Special thanks go to the co-penholders, the United States and Ecuador, whose tireless efforts and consultative process have culminated in a resolution that will allow the Mission to build on the progress that has been made thus far. Ten days ago, Kenya’s President, His Excellency Mr. William Ruto, visited Port-au-Prince, where he witnessed the situation on the ground first-hand. He seized the opportunity to engage with the Haitian political leadership and interacted with the Mission personnel. The President left Haiti with renewed hope and optimism; first, because of the resolve of Haitian people to overcome the interlocking crises, and secondly, because of the noticeable successes registered by the initial contingents of the Mission personnel working in collaboration with the Haitian National Police in securing strategic infrastructure, including the airport, the national hospital, major road intersections and even the police academy. With the renewed mandate, the Mission is poised to create the conditions for the Haitian authorities to secure the country and undertake social and economic reconstruction. But for that to happen, the Mission must rapidly achieve its envisaged full deployment of 2,500 personnel, up from the current 410 officers. However, the deployment and sustained operations of the Mission require substantial resources. My delegation is grateful to all Member States that have made generous voluntary contributions of funds, equipment or logistical support, including through the United Nations trust fund established by the Secretary-General. We appeal to all Member States to stand in solidarity with Haiti by making voluntary contributions to the Mission to hasten its full deployment and the delivery of its mandate. I seize this opportunity to express Kenya’s deep gratitude to the Haitian political leadership for its support, without which the Mission would not have achieved much. I must also emphasize that while the Mission is a crucial and innovative intervention, it is only part of the solution. Haiti’s stability will only be accomplished through a multi-pronged approach that addresses the root causes of its challenges. Finally, I reaffirm Kenya’s unflinching solidarity with our Haitian brothers and sisters. We will continue working with them to restore security for social and economic prosperity.