S/PV.9953 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Kenya to participate in this meeting. On behalf of the Council, I 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 the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, and Ms. Ghada Fathi Waly, Executive Director, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I now give the floor to Mr. Jenča. Mr. Jenča: Allow me to extend my congratulations to Pakistan on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of July. I thank the members of the Council for the opportunity to provide this briefing on Haiti. I would like to begin by expressing our gratitude to María Isabel Salvador, whose term as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) concluded this week. Since my last visit to Haiti in January, to engage in consultations with the authorities on the Secretary-General’s recommendations, we have continued to witness a sharp erosion of State authority and the rule of law. Brutal gang violence affects every aspect of public and private life. During my visit, I was struck by the profound transformation of Port-au-Prince. The capital city was, for all intents and purposes, paralysed by gangs and isolated as a result of the ongoing suspension of international commercial flights into Toussaint Louverture International Airport. Since then, gangs have only strengthened their foothold, which now affects all communes of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area and beyond, pushing the situation closer to the brink. Without increased action by the international community, the total collapse of State presence in the capital could become a very real scenario. Haitian-led efforts to advance the political process have made progress. The Provisional Electoral Council, with support from BINUH and other United Nations partners, has continued preparations to complete the constitutional review and hold elections within the timeline set by the April 2024 agreement. The recent adoption of the decree regulating the constitutional referendum and the adoption of the new Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure are welcome developments. However, clear divergences among stakeholders are apparent regarding the feasibility of holding a constitutional referendum and elections by February 2026, particularly concerning the need to establish a climate of security and trust for those elections to take place. Any delays or efforts to undermine the political transition meeting the 7 February 2026 deadline for the installation of a newly elected executive and parliament would be worrisome. Haiti cannot afford a drift in the political transition. In supporting the political process, BINUH promoted broader and more inclusive participation in the political transition, including that of women and youth, We welcome the support and momentum generated by regional Member States and organizations for decisive action to advance the current political transition and prevent the spread of insecurity and criminality. Last week, Haiti was a key topic of discussion at the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Antigua and Barbuda. The adoption of the OAS resolution on Haiti is encouraging and reflects the region’s commitment to supporting international efforts and strengthening existing entities and platforms, namely, the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. We look forward to stronger collaboration with the OAS and to the action plan on Haiti to be submitted by its Secretary-General. In addition, the Caribbean Community’s ongoing efforts, notably through the Eminent Persons Group, to foster dialogue and collaboration among Haitian stakeholders have proven instrumental in advancing the country’s transition towards the restoration of the rule of law and of democratic institutions. It remains clear that sustained political progress will be achieved only through concerted efforts to address and significantly improve the security environment. While Port-au-Prince remains the epicentre of gang violence, major attacks in the Artibonite and Centre departments, particularly in Mirebalais, demonstrate the growing capacity and intent of gangs to expand their reach into northern departments. The commune of La Chapelle in the lower Artibonite department is the latest to fall under gang control following an assault by gang members on 22 June, which displaced at least 8,890 residents. The ransacking of the local police substation illustrates the intent to systematically undermine State authority and prevent any efforts to re-establish law and order. The brutality and scale of the violence that continues to be committed against communities by armed gangs is plunging the country into even deeper suffering and trauma. This year alone, BINUH recorded 4,026 victims of intentional homicide, including 376 women, 21 girls and 68 boys. This represents a 24 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the number of people internally displaced by gang violence has now reached 1.3 million, another tragic record number. Widespread impunity for atrocities continues. In April, a gang attack in Petite-Rivière resulted in 57 people killed, four abducted, more than 16,000 people displaced and approximately 80 homes set on fire. Amid increasing public frustration with the limited protection capacity of the State, vigilante or self-defence groups are gaining in popular appeal. Although those groups often serve as the last remaining security mechanisms in many areas, they violate fundamental human rights, including the right to life and the right to a fair trial, and simultaneously fuel further violence in the form of retaliatory attacks by gangs. Over the past three months, those groups reportedly killed at least 100 men and one woman suspected of gang association or collaboration. Communities remain extremely vulnerable to gang violence, which continues to have a disproportionate impact on women and girls. The past three months marked an increase in sexual violence committed by gangs, used deliberately to instil fear and assert control over communities. Despite persistent underreporting of sexual violence due to fear of reprisals, social stigma and a lack of trust in institutions, from March to April BINUH documented 364 incidents involving 378 survivors. BINUH continues to support the Haitian National Police in strengthening its capacities to investigate sexual violence and provide integrated support to survivors. It is critical that authorities take concrete action against the current state of impunity for those heinous crimes. On 26 June, the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, led by Kenya, marked one year since its first contingents arrived in Haiti. We extend our gratitude When BINUH was established in 2019, it was not designed to operate in the kind of hostile environment we are facing today. Yet it has remained on the ground without interruption, despite a temporary reduction in international staff. That reduction reflects the limited options for evacuation, with just a single United Nations Humanitarian Air Service helicopter currently available, due to the suspension of commercial flights and the ongoing gang encirclement of Port- au-Prince. Consequently, and as outlined in the Secretary-General’s letter to the Council yesterday, the Secretariat, in coordination with BINUH, has undertaken a review of BINUH’s mission concept with the objective of having a reconfigured BINUH  — more focused, smaller, yet more impactful  — that can sustain its international staff and personnel working from Port-au-Prince amid the security crisis. The additional resources needed for enhanced security and evacuation capabilities, to be included in the budget for 2026, would be offset by savings from a reduced footprint. We remain committed to aligning BINUH’s overall budget with the UN80 revised estimates. We must not fail Haiti at this critical moment. Let us act now. The options that we have on the table now will be considerably less costly and complex than if there were a total collapse of State presence. There is not a moment to lose. The United Nations continues to stand in solidarity with the people of Haiti, who deserve to live in dignity and free from the threat of violence.

I thank Mr. Jenča for his briefing. I now give the floor to Ms. Waly.

I thank you, Mr. President, for giving me the opportunity to brief the Security Council on the situation in Haiti, in accordance with resolution 2692 (2023) and paragraph 19 of resolution 2743 (2024). Today I will present the findings of the eighth report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to the Council, covering developments between March and June. The report shows that the security and criminal context in Haiti is growing increasingly complex. What was already a serious situation is now declining further. Armed gangs are expanding their influence, adapting their tactics and dismantling what remains of the rule of law, while the Haitian people continue to suffer the consequences. (spoke in English) Since our previous briefing (see S/PV.9844), organized criminal groups have gained near-total control of the capital, with an estimated 90 per cent of Port-au- At the same time, vital public infrastructure is being disrupted. In May, the Péligre hydroelectric dam, which supplies nearly 30 per cent of Haiti’s electricity, was shut down by local residents who blocked access to the facility in protest against the deteriorating security situation, which triggered widespread blackouts. Beyond Port-au-Prince and Mirebalais, violence is escalating across the country. Southern Haiti, which until recently was insulated from the violence, has seen a sharp increase in gang-related incidents. In the east, criminal groups are exploiting land routes, including key crossings, such as Belladère and Malpasse, where attacks against police and customs officials have been reported. As gang control expands, the State’s capacity to govern is rapidly shrinking, with social, economic and security implications. In the vacuum left by the absence or limited delivery of public services, criminal groups are stepping in. They are establishing parallel governance structures and providing rudimentary public services. That erosion of State legitimacy has cascading effects. With gangs controlling major trade routes, legal commerce is paralysed. Container traffic at the Port-au-Prince terminal has plummeted, choking supply chains and crippling the economy. Prices of essential commodities have soared as a result. For example, the price of rice — Haiti’s staple food — has risen by more than 30 per cent since 2022, while cooking fuel now sells for up to $5 per gallon on the black market. Those conditions are worsening already dire levels of food insecurity and humanitarian need. Alongside that, we are seeing rapid growth in the number and activities of private security companies and vigilante self-defence groups. While some are motivated by the urgent need to protect their communities, many operate outside existing legal frameworks, in some cases engaging in extrajudicial actions and colluding with gangs. All those actors are pushing demand for guns and military-grade weapons, fuelling illicit arms markets and raising the risk of licit weapons being diverted to criminal elements. We are also witnessing the increasing use of drone technology by both law enforcement and criminal groups. Gangs have been using drones for surveillance for more than a year, particularly to monitor police movements and secure their zones of control. That tactic was notably employed during the March 2024 attack on the national penitentiary and continues to be a routine element of their operations, reflecting an increasing level of tactical coordination and situational awareness. In response, the Haitian security task force established by the Government in early 2025 has begun deploying surveillance and explosive drones to gather intelligence in real-time, carry out targeted strikes and regain control of gang-occupied territory. The use of drone technology and military-style engagements in densely populated civilian areas raises further concerns about the lack of a clear legal or operational framework and adequate safeguards. Meanwhile, the broader deterioration of the security and economic situation in Port-au-Prince continues to fuel a sharper escalation in human rights violations. Reports increasingly point to sexual exploitation targeting women and girls, particularly among those facing deportation or living in areas under gang control. Despite the scale and complexity of those challenges, the Haitian authorities have taken some encouraging steps during the reporting period, particularly in the fight against corruption and arms trafficking. The Haitian Ministry of Justice decided to freeze the bank accounts of individuals sanctioned under resolution 2653 (2022) and launched related investigations that must be supported to lead to robust judicial outcomes. I commend the recent decree establishing two specialized judicial units to prosecute complex financial crimes, corruption and cases of sexual violence. Those institutions must now be operationalized without delay and reinforced through coordinated international efforts to ensure that they are adequately equipped, resourced and protected. Recent investigations by the Anti-Corruption Unit are also yielding results, uncovering systemic abuse across Government institutions, including embezzlement, contract fraud and illicit passport issuance schemes. The situation in Haiti remains desperate but those are promising and necessary steps, and we must build on them. International support must be scaled up for financial accountability and anti-corruption mechanisms, including in the digitization of Government systems, forensic auditing and the establishment of international investigative partnerships to detect and prosecute high-level corruption. Haiti’s judicial authorities must be empowered to act on financial intelligence with clear legal mandates and prosecutorial autonomy. International assistance must be mobilized to establish robust regulatory frameworks and increase the oversight of private security companies. The development of criminal intelligence capacities is essential to providing Haitian judicial law enforcement and security agencies with the ability to respond effectively to the violence and instability caused by organized crime. International action to counter organized crime, including through the recent designation of the Viv Ansanm and the Gran Grif gangs, must also ensure that responses do not lead to disruptions to essential services, including humanitarian aid, in gang-controlled territories. UNODC continues to work on the ground together with our Haitian counterparts to help to restore security and the rule of law. I wish to highlight in particular the critical importance of UNODC’s work on maritime and border security. UNODC is delivering technical assistance, tactical equipment and specialized training to the Haitian coast guard, enhancing its capacity to counter weapons and drug trafficking at sea. Our border security strategy is helping to strengthen institutional and operational capacities at ports, airports and official land border crossings. That includes enhancing interdiction, improving inter-agency coordination and sharpening investigative capabilities to safeguard Haiti’s borders and bolster regional security. And the work led by UNODC to support the justice system in revamping anti-corruption structures in the country is vital to restoring stability in the country and is a priority objective for the current transitional governance model. Regional cooperation also remains crucial, particularly given the use of multiple land and sea entry points to smuggle arms, ammunition and illicit goods into Haiti. I would like to commend the efforts undertaken by neighbouring countries in that regard. For example, recent action by law enforcement authorities in the Dominican (spoke in French) Before concluding, I would like to pay tribute to our constructive partnership and close cooperation with the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), under the leadership of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. María Isabel Salvador. I wish to express my sincere gratitude for her exemplary leadership and commitment to serving the Haitian people and the United Nations. UNODC is committed to continuing to work with BINUH, Haitian institutions and its international partners to restore stability, strengthen criminal justice systems and uphold the rule of law in Haiti.

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

I thank you, Mr. President, and congratulate you on your presidency. I would also like to thank Assistant Secretary- General Jenča and Executive Director Waly for their briefings and for the efforts of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) team. I would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. María Isabel Salvador, for her leadership of BINUH. It is clear from her report that Haiti continues to face serious challenges in both security and governance. The lack of security and overall instability in Haiti threaten to impede the holding of free and fair elections in a timely manner, while the territorial expansion of the gangs threatens to undermine the important gains made by both the Haitian National Police and the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. The United States thanks Kenya for its long-standing role in promoting peace and security and for its leadership of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti since the initial deployment one year ago. Without the presence of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, the gangs would be even more emboldened in their ambitions and brazen atrocities against civilians in Haiti. We remain concerned about the increasing levels of violence, the recruitment of children into armed gangs and food insecurity. As a result of the escalating gang violence, Haiti was reported as one of the countries with the most violations and abuses against children in 2024. The large majority were committed by the Viv Ansanm coalition, which was listed for the first time in the Secretary-General’s report on children in armed conflict (S/2025/247). In May, the United States designated Viv Ansanm as a foreign terrorist organization. We will continue to support efforts to promote accountability for its actions; this has included our recent nomination of that gang under the United Nations Haiti sanctions regime. We support the recommendations on sanctions targets by the Panel of Experts on Haiti. United Nations-imposed asset freezes and travel bans remain important tools for promoting the accountability of those contributing to, or complicit in, destabilizing activities in Haiti. Corruption remains a major issue. We condemn the actions of those who commit abuses of office, work with terrorist organizations and participate in arms The United States remains committed to working with the international community to drive progress forward in Haiti and support increased contributions from regional actors such as the Organization of American States (OAS) in Haiti. A few days ago, at the OAS General Assembly, the United States made clear that it believes that that regional organization needs to take a stronger role in Haiti. That is why the United States co-sponsored a resolution to galvanize action for Haiti and complement efforts here at the United Nations. The resolution was adopted unanimously. As we have said before, an increased role for the OAS is compatible with the various models of United Nations support under consideration. We continue to commend the efforts of the BINUH team to implement its mandate, but, as has been made clear in the report, the security situation is seriously hampering the Mission’s ability to fulfil its mandate. We therefore look forward to further discussions with members of the Council on the way forward for BINUH, in advance of the mandate expiration on 15 July.

I wholeheartedly echo the well-deserved recognition that you, Mr. President, have extended to our colleague, Her Excellency Mrs. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, for her commendable stewardship as President of the Council throughout the past month. I likewise congratulate the representative of Pakistan and his team on assuming responsibility for presiding over the Council for this month of July and offer them our supportive cooperation. We are grateful for the briefings from the Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, Mr. Miroslav Jenča, and the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Ms. Ghada Waly. We also welcome the representatives of Haiti, Kenya, the Dominican Republic and The Bahamas, who are honouring us with their participation. It would be remiss of me not to pay particular tribute to Ms. María Isabel Salvador, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti, for her professionalism and dedication in performing her duties throughout her leadership. With every meeting, we continue to see a gradual deterioration in the situation in Haiti. We have witnessed how the gangs are not only consolidating their control of all but the entire city of Port-au-Prince but are encroaching further on the Ouest, Centre and Artibonite departments. We are deeply concerned that, alongside that territorial expansion, gangs are cementing their ties with drug trafficking and other transnational organized crime networks. That crisis — the closest to the Council in geographical terms — continues to intensify. The reports that we are receiving confirm not only an increase in the frequency of human rights violations but also in the violence with which they are being committed. So far this year, those atrocities have claimed 4,026 lives and have resulted in 2,697 victims of incidents of sexual and gender-based violence. Moreover, there has been a rise in cases of forcible recruitment of children and adolescents and alarming reports of organ trafficking, and trafficking and sexual exploitation networks. Those figures go beyond reports, since they represent the experiences of the Haitian people themselves. For example, access to basic services in Haiti, including healthcare, has become almost impossible in a capital in which only 5 per cent of hospitals are functioning. The impact of the crisis falls disproportionately on the historically most vulnerable groups — people with medical conditions, the elderly, farmers, children and women. We are particularly concerned about the situation of children because Haiti is currently one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a child. In that regard, we call on the national authorities to develop and implement protection The situation of insecurity only seems to continue to worsen, and alarmingly so. Reports of more than 101 lynchings and extrajudicial killings continue to mount. A few weeks ago, it was with deep sorrow that we witnessed an attack by a self-defence group on a church in which, according to reports, approximately 50 people were killed, and an 86-year-old pastor was brutally beheaded. Unfortunately, that is not an isolated case. We are facing a proliferation of violence, in which the main victims continue to be groups of civilians. In addition, other actors, such as private military companies, have entered that complex scenario. While their presence has been in part a desperate response to security challenges, their poorly regulated actions and their overall record of scant coordination with humanitarian actors raise concerns. In the face of the increasingly delicate crisis, we would like to reiterate our support for the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. With limited human and financial resources, but with great commitment, it has sought ways in which to tackle the gangs and contribute to the stabilization of the country. In that regard, we also welcome regional initiatives such as the recent resolution adopted by the Organization of American States in support of security in Haiti. However, we reaffirm that an effective response requires political will and a determined and coordinated commitment from the Security Council. Specifically, it is essential to support both the Multinational Security Support Mission and its trust fund. We therefore consider it extremely urgent for the Council to move forward as soon as possible with the consideration and possible implementation of the Secretary-General’s recommendations, in particular the establishment of a support office for the Mission. Those recommendations were presented more than four months ago. Haiti and its people can wait no longer. It is not an option to continue to gather reports describing, time and again, the grim reality of more killings, more human rights violations, more interference from criminal activities in the financing of the violence and a humanitarian crisis that only worsens daily. It is time to act, now. We also urgently call on those Member States with the relevant capacity to effectively implement the arms embargo as an essential measure to stem the uncontrolled influx of weapons that continues to fuel violence. As we work to strengthen security, it is essential not to lose sight of other pillars essential to the stability, development and strengthening of Haiti’s social fabric. We therefore welcome positive actions such as the advances reflected in the new draft constitution. They not only represent institutional progress but also include significant improvements in gender equality and reflect a renewed commitment to rights and inclusion. In that regard, we welcome the technical and political support provided by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, whose support has been key to facilitating forums for civic participation, promoting dialogue and encouraging an inclusive constitutional agenda. We also consider it a priority to maintain the commitment to hold elections as soon as security conditions allow. That step will be fundamental to strengthening democratic institutions and enabling steps towards sustainable governance. We thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča and Ms. Waly for their briefings and welcome the participation of the representatives of Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Kenya and Barbados, on behalf of the Caribbean Community, in today’s meeting. We also express our appreciation to Ms. María Isabel Salvador for her dedicated service as Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and look forward to working with her successor. We also reiterate our full support for BINUH and the renewal of the mission’s mandate. Each time the Council meets to discuss the situation in Haiti, we are briefed on the deteriorating situation in that sisterly country. Today, we heard once again about the worsening security and humanitarian situation. But what is even more concerning is the fact that the international response continues to be tepid at best and falls short in matching the severity and urgency of the crisis. We remain gravely concerned by the deepening insecurity in Haiti, particularly in Port-au-Prince, where gangs continue to exert control over significant territory, undermining the rule of law and obstructing the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The limited access to healthcare and food is further exacerbating the suffering of the Haitian population. While we sincerely acknowledge the support provided thus far by BINUH, United Nations agencies and international, regional and bilateral partners, including the Organization of American States resolution recently adopted, we appeal for more decisive and coordinated efforts from the international community. At this critical moment, Haiti cannot be left behind. Amid capacity constraints and a slow response from the international community, frustration and unrest are growing in Haiti. That threatens to undo the political progress achieved since the signing of the Political Agreement for a Peaceful and Orderly Transition on 3 April 2024. The frustration is also reflected in the rise of vigilante and self-defence groups, which are now pervasive and undermining the Government’s authority. It is, therefore, clear that unless immediate and robust measures are taken to address the prevailing insecurity, the fragile progress achieved thus far and the work of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti risk being reversed. The A3+ commends the ongoing efforts to enhance weapons and ammunition management and to train and strengthen the capacities of the security forces and border control authorities. But we must do more in the first instance to stop the illicit flow of arms and ammunition into Haiti. We underscore the need to enhance and ensure the full implementation and enforcement of the arms embargo and other sanctions measures imposed by the Security Council, and we remain prepared to expand the sanctions list. Last week marked one year since the first batch of Multinational Security Support Mission personnel arrived in Haiti. At the time, that elicited a sense of both hope and optimism among the Haitian population and within the international community. While it is not a United Nations mission, the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission represented a milestone for multilateralism and a firm demonstration of international solidarity. Even amid the immense challenges that Haiti continues to endure, the A3+ has taken positive note of the progress made in advancing the political process. We commend the continued functioning of the transitional Government and institutions, even in the face of death threats and attacks by armed gangs. We have also noted the adoption of the 2025 referendum decree last week and hope that those efforts will be sustained through collective action and enhanced engagement by the relevant stakeholders. Moreover, we welcome the establishment of specialized judicial units to investigate, prosecute and adjudicate mass crimes, including cases of sexual violence, and we commend the support provided by BINUH, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for their operationalization. We emphasize the need to scale up community violence reduction efforts and urge the Haitian authorities to identify a national agency to carry forward the work of the National Commission on Disarmament, Dismantlement and Reintegration. On the humanitarian front, we note that needs continue to outstrip resources, with soaring displacement, deportations, food insecurity, sexual and gender-based violence, recruitment of children and a collapse of essential services, leaving millions vulnerable. Haiti is also facing its worst levels of food insecurity since the 2010 earthquake, with 5.7 million people  — half of the population  — currently experiencing acute food insecurity. At just 8.2 per cent funded, the 2025 humanitarian needs and response plan is grossly underfunded and impedes the delivery of humanitarian aid. We urge the international community to increase its contributions. The A3+ also deplores the abhorrent sexual violence that continues to be committed by gangs. In a period of just two months — March to April — BINUH documented 364 incidents involving 378 survivors, including 348 women, 28 girls and two boys. Collective rape was the most common violation, with an increase of 76 per cent. Indeed, more than 2,600 cases of sexual violence were recorded by humanitarian partners from January to April. As I conclude, Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia and Guyana do not believe that the challenges in Haiti are intractable. In fact, the resilience, strength and pioneering role of the Haitian people, not only for themselves but for many others, are well- documented. Haiti deserves our support now. It is time to match the expressions of concern with concrete commitments and action. The A3+ therefore calls on the international community to adopt a more solution-oriented approach in supporting Haiti to bolster the humanitarian response, strengthen national institutions and address the root causes of instability in the country.

At the outset, I too would like to join others in commending Guyana for its successful presidency in June. I also extend my The Republic of Korea remains gravely concerned about the worsening crisis in Haiti. The people of Haiti — especially women and children — continue to endure severe hardships, primarily driven by brutal gang violence. They have been left to struggle with the collapse of basic services, severe food insecurity and internal displacement, largely on their own. In their moment of need, the people of Haiti have turned to the Security Council for support. We must respond to their urgent call. We have seen Haiti’s efforts for political transition through the drafting of the revised constitutional text and the decision to establish specialized judicial units to tackle corruption, financial crimes and sexual violence. However, we all know that without significant improvements in security, those aspirations may ultimately come to nothing. In that regard, I would like to highlight three key points. First, the Council must advance and accelerate discussions on the Secretary- General’s proposals and provide clear, concrete and realistic direction for both the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and the Multinational Security Support Mission. The Republic of Korea supports the Secretary-General’s suggestions in principle. However, we recognize that not all members of the Council share the same perspective. It is therefore essential to identify common ground among members and map a way forward that reflects the collective will of the Council. As part of that effort, we should explore how we can better leverage the existing presence and functions of BINUH to ensure an approach that is both time- and cost-efficient. The Republic of Korea stands ready to actively engage in those discussions. Secondly, concerted efforts to expand international contributions are more critical than ever. Though geographically distant, the Republic of Korea demonstrated its commitment to the Haitian people by deploying 242 of its troops to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti from 2010 to 2012. That experience helped us to gain a more thorough understanding of how indispensable international assistance is for Haiti. In that spirit, the Republic of Korea contributed approximately $10 million to the Multinational Security Support Mission trust fund in 2025 in the sincere hope that other Member States would follow suit by providing support in their own ways. Unfortunately, that expectation has yet to be fully met. If it continues to prove difficult to mobilize immediate voluntary contributions from Member States, the partial use of peacekeeping assessed contributions could serve as a viable alternative. In that context, we believe that the hybrid approach proposed by the Secretary-General deserves serious consideration. Thirdly, strengthening the sanctions regime is crucial. While we underscore the importance of fully implementing the arms embargo, we also believe that the designation list must be expanded to cover individuals and entities beyond gang leaders. Many actors remain outside the current scope, including individuals with links to gangs and involved in criminal activities such as arms trafficking and migrant smuggling. We can all agree that a Haitian-led, Haitian-owned solution is the only sustainable path forward. That will be possible only with concrete support from the international community. We therefore urge the Council to return to the spirit of unity that enabled the unanimous adoptions of three resolutions last year (resolutions 2752 (2024), 2751 (2024) and 2743 (2024)).

Please accept our congratulations, Mr. President, our best wishes and our support for your presidency. My thanks likewise extend to the Permanent Representative of Guyana and her Mission for their presidency last month. I am also grateful to the Assistant-Secretary General, The overriding priority is to restore security in Haiti. I will not revisit what the United Nations officials have said. The humanitarian disaster is being accompanied by a major internal and regional security crisis. Unless security is restored, there can be no progress in the political transition process. Indeed, the restoration of democratic institutions and the rule of law in Haiti are necessary steps to ending the multidimensional crisis gripping the country. This must allow a resumption of State authority and an end to the massive violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, which are afflicting the population of Haiti, and women and children in particular, owing to gang activity. It is important that the Haitian authorities be in a position to work together to move the transition forward. Strengthening international support for security in Haiti is crucial and a matter of urgency. In that connection, three courses of action are a priority for the Council. First, the United Nations must be more involved in helping to restore security. France commends the dedication of Kenya and other troop contributors to the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. Their involvement alongside the Haitian National Police is as essential as it is courageous, and we extend our gratitude to them for this. As the President of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency Mr. William Ruto, has underscored, that Mission must be better equipped in terms of troops and hardware to help to contain the spread of gangs and recover the territories that they control. France encourages partners to step up efforts in support of the Mission. The efforts of the States in the region, which are more necessary than ever, must be supported by a clear framework provided by the United Nations. France believes that the United Nations is capable of providing strategic and operational expertise and essential logistical support. The Secretary-General put forward recommendations on the subject more than four months ago, which included the establishment of a logistics support office. The urgency of the security and humanitarian situation compels us to move forward, and it is the responsibility of the Council to do so. France is willing to strive with all Council members to that end. Secondly, the use of sanctions is a pivotal lever in countering gangs and the transnational organized crime networks that fuel them. France supports the fresh proposals from the United States to impose sanctions. The arms embargo and individual sanctions must be strictly enforced. Those sanctions must also be applied to individuals who back and finance gangs and must entail renewed efforts to combat corruption and financial crimes. Thirdly, backing for the Haitian authorities and security forces is necessary to assist with the full implementation of the sanctions regime, to support capacity- building for the security forces, to introduce mechanisms for gang demobilization and to shore up the Haitian judicial and prison systems. In all those areas, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), for which France reaffirms its support, has a vital role to play. I wish to specifically thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. María Isabel Salvador Crespo, for her endeavours at the helm of BINUH. France is playing its full part in that collective effort. It is doing so by supplying emergency humanitarian aid, by contributing to the Multinational Security Support Mission and by providing bilateral financial and material assistance to the Haitian security forces. France is pursuing those efforts in solidarity with the Haitian people. France appeals again to all international partners to step up their efforts and wishes

I want to join others in congratulating you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency for the month of July, and I of course also want to thank Guyana for its capable leadership of the Council in June. I thank Assistant- Secretary General Jenča and Director General Waly for their briefings. Upon the completion of her assignment, I wish to express Slovenia’s sincere gratitude to Ms. Salvador Crespo for her dedication and the exemplary leadership of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti in the face of challenging circumstances. Lastly, I wish to welcome the participation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic and the Permanent Representatives of Haiti, Barbados and Kenya. Regrettably, today’s briefings once again highlight the deteriorating security situation and the expanding foothold of armed gangs. Reducing the territorial control of armed gangs in Port-au-Prince, and now even beyond the capital, must be our immediate priority. The Council must utilize all the tools at its disposal to eliminate the threat posed by those groups. Slovenia stands ready to support the Secretary-General’s proposal to establish a United Nations support office, as endorsed by Haiti, the Caribbean Community and Kenya, as the lead nation within the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. We believe that such a realistic and practical arrangement would enable the Mission to fully carry out its mandate and ultimately deliver for the Haitian people. Furthermore, we welcome the efforts of the Haitian authorities in implementing the United Nations sanctions, and we view positively the proposals to expand the sanctions list. Only concerted action to improve the security situation, both by the Council and through regional efforts, in full cooperation with the Haitian authorities, will lead to sustained political progress, which is essential for establishing the framework needed for effective governance and Haiti’s long-term development. BINUH’s continued contribution to that progress remains essential, and we fully support the renewal of its mandate. Let me reiterate Slovenia’s profound concern about the deteriorating humanitarian and human rights situation, which continues to impact the most vulnerable, in particular women and children. The sharp increase in sexual and gender-based violence amid large-scale displacement and its systematic use to instil fear and to control communities are simply unacceptable. We commend the recent establishment of specialized judicial units, mandated to investigate and prosecute serious crimes, including sexual violence. That represents an important step towards addressing impunity for such grave violations, in accordance with the rule of law. Furthermore, we are appalled by reports of the forced recruitment and use of children by gangs. We underscore the importance of developing and implementing plans for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of children leaving gangs in order to ensure their safe handover to civilian actors. Viable educational and vocational opportunities will be key to successful reintegration. In a context in which half of the population faces high levels of acute food insecurity, even famine-like conditions, and hospitals and health centres are on the brink of collapse, we call for immediate full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. We must do more, or in the words of the African members of the Council and Guyana, we need a solution-oriented approach to alleviate the suffering of the Haitian people and support them on their path towards peace, security, stability and economic recovery.

I would like to congratulate Pakistan on its assumption of the presidency of the Council for this month. The assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse, four years ago, unleashed a new cycle of chaos and suffering in Haiti. Over the past four years in Haiti, the political stalemate, governance mired in a vacuum, rising gang violence, the increasingly dire humanitarian situation and the convergence of multiple crises have subjected the Haitian people to immeasurable suffering. We support the Haitian authorities, countries of the region and the international community in their endeavours to focus on the root causes of the problems, learn lessons and make joint efforts to resolve the complex and serious challenges facing Haiti. I would like to highlight the following points. First, advancing the political process will lay an important foundation. A legitimate, effective and accountable Government is the key to lifting Haiti out of chaos and is also a prerequisite for external support to be effective. Multiple reports of the Secretary-General have pointed out that the fragility of the political structure and the lack of State authority have not only seriously undermined the trust and confidence of the Haitian people in the authorities but have also facilitated gang violence. To address the current crisis, Haitian parties and factions must strengthen their unity, effectively advance a Haitian-led and -owned political process, prioritize the interests of the country and its people, build the broadest possible consensus on maintaining security and promoting development and formulate a comprehensive and effective long-term strategy. We reiterate our call to all Haitian parties to take responsible actions in that regard. We call on the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), among others, to continue to assist in promoting the political process in Haiti. Secondly, the security situation must be urgently improved. China expresses deep concern over the rampant violence in Haiti and is deeply saddened by the enormous suffering of innocent people. Over the past year, Kenya has led the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, together with some CARICOM countries, to help to improve the security situation in Haiti. We highly appreciate the Mission and call on its proponents and contributors, especially the major country that bears the primary responsibility for the situation in Haiti, to fulfil their commitment, play their part and live up to the expectations of the Haitian people. As regards the rapid improvement of the security situation in Haiti, including how to respond to the relevant recommendations of the Secretary-General, we are ready to maintain frank communication with all parties, explore feasible options and seek the broadest possible consensus. Thirdly, strengthening sanctions implementation is the top priority. We support a greater role for the Council’s sanctions regime and agree to the listing of more gang leaders. Meanwhile, the reports of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Panel of Experts of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) concerning Haiti indicate that a large number of weapons and ammunition continue to flow into Haiti from the United States. It is urgent that the Council’s arms embargo be effectively implemented and the gangs’ sources of arms and ammunition be cut off. Since the beginning of this year, the China-United Nations Peace and Development Fund has funded a UNODC project on the arms embargo in Haiti, supporting the Haitian authorities’ endeavours to strengthen the registration and management of weapons and helping the countries of the region to strengthen information exchange and capacity-building. We are ready to continue to work with UNODC, the Sanctions Committee and other parties to advance the early implementation of sanctions measures, so as to effectively deter the gangs. Countries of the region that are geographically close to Haiti have shared interests. For some time now, CARICOM and the Organization of American States have prioritized the issue of Haiti on their agendas and have taken active steps in political mediation and resource coordination. China appreciates the solidarity of countries of the region and their increased support for Haiti. At the same time, we call on the United Nations and the international community to continue to help Haiti in a responsible, constructive and sustainable manner. We highly appreciate Special Representative Salvador’s leadership of BINUH in Haiti over the past two years. We are ready to continue to support BINUH in effectively delivering its mandate and we support the role of the United Nations country team. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that China is ready to continue to work with the international community to play a constructive role in helping the Haitian people to emerge from their plight at an early date and to realize peace, stability and development.

Allow me to begin by congratulating Pakistan for assuming the presidency and also to express our sincere appreciation to Guyana for the smooth conduct of the presidency last month. I also wish to thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Director Waly for their briefings today. Haiti continues to experience a multitude of spiralling crises, and its civilians continue to pay the heavy price of insecurity and lawlessness. Allow me to make three points. First, the devastating humanitarian and human rights situation in Haiti cannot be overstated. We continue to witness a rapid deterioration across all metrics. This year has seen a rapid rise in internally displaced people, reaching 1.3 million owing to the spread of gang violence and exacerbated by forced returns. Haiti is one of five countries in the world with famine-like conditions, with more than half of the population facing acute food insecurity. Six months into 2025, Haiti’s humanitarian response plan is funded at a dismal 8 per cent. Violations of human rights are widespread. According to the recent report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict (S/2025/247), grave violations against children have increased by 490 per cent. That is both staggering and heartbreaking. We condemn in the strongest terms all violations against children and call on the security forces and armed gangs to facilitate safe, timely and unimpeded humanitarian access. Denmark strongly supports all efforts to advance disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and community violence reduction, especially with a focus on youth. Facilitating children and young people’s safe exit from gangs, their reintegration into the community and their empowerment as peacebuilders will be instrumental for Haiti’s future development. Secondly, as made so painfully clear, establishing security and law and order is critical to progress on all other fronts. Let me underscore Denmark’s appreciation for the efforts made by Kenya in leading the international response to establish security in Haiti. Denmark strongly supports the Multinational Security Support Mission, and we recently deposited our 1.5-million-dollar donation to the Mission’s trust fund. However, in the face of deteriorating security, we believe that there must be greater United Nations involvement in Haiti. Denmark believes the Council should urgently consider the recommendations put forward in the Secretary-General’s letter of 24 February (S/2025/122) to enable the Mission to meet the scale of the threat and complexity on the ground. Greater use and implementation of United Nations sanctions and the arms embargo to target criminals prospering from Haiti’s insecurity are also critical. Finally, Denmark welcomes the steps taken by Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council to progress the political transition. The drafting of a revised constitutional text based on broad national consultations is an important step. With less than eight months left in the road map to restore democratic institutions, we strongly urge the Transitional Presidential Council, the Prime Minister and key stakeholders to accelerate their work and prioritize establishing security. Now more than ever, the advisory role of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) in relation to the Haitian Government on key areas, including justice reform, accountability, elections and promoting political stability, is vital. All aspects are undeniably interconnected. We look forward to working with Council members on BINUH’s timely renewal. Let me conclude by thanking Special Representative Salvador for her service to the United Nations and the people of Haiti.

We would first like to thank Guyana for its flawless presidency of the Security Council in June. I am sure that we will be saying the same about the Pakistani presidency in August, and we wish Pakistan every success in the meantime. We would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča and Executive Director Ghada Fathi Waly for their briefings on the situation in Haiti. We welcome the participation in today’s meeting of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, Mr. Roberto Álvarez Gil, and the representatives of Haiti, Kenya and Barbados. On 7 July, it will have been four years since the tragic assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, which triggered the country’s descent into the deepest crisis in its modern history. Four years on, we still have no clear picture as to what happened, who ordered the assassination or who benefited from it. There is no certainty in that regard in Haiti or within the international community. The crime itself and the way it was investigated encapsulate the problems facing this long-suffering country: external interference, inaction on the part of the authorities, intimidation of judges, escape of suspects and even multiple changes to the venues and timings of hearings owing to gangs constantly advancing to new areas of the capital of Haiti. The lack of a clear outcome of the investigation and the failure to punish those responsible have become symbols of lawlessness in the eyes of Haitians, and that lawlessness permeates the entire Haitian society. The multifaceted crisis in the country threatens the very integrity of the Haitian State. Haiti has long been devoid of democratically elected representatives, and the transitional institutions, despite the measures they are undertaking, have failed to Russia has consistently held the position that deciding on a strategy and implementing a plan to resolve the problems in Haiti are primarily the responsibilities of the Haitian authorities and people. At the same time, active international assistance, especially in the area of security, is something that Port-au-Prince needs now more than ever. Unfortunately, the existing international support mechanisms are not working properly. The Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti has encountered all the problems that we predicted even before it was established because of the poorly designed financial, personnel and logistical support mechanisms of that non-United Nations operation. The Secretary-General has proposed clear ideas for strengthening the Mission’s capacity, and we are ready to consider them constructively. At the same time, we emphasize  — and this is noted in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2025/226)  — that increasing voluntary funding for the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti should remain a top priority for us. Donor countries that promoted the initiative and argued that it was a panacea must honour their financial obligations. We firmly believe that with adequate support and increased troop numbers, the multinational forces can still become a powerful factor in stabilizing the situation in the country. Otherwise, the Mission risks becoming yet another mechanism that has not fulfilled its potential, which would be disgraceful for the Security Council, especially vis-à-vis Kenya, which kept its promises in good faith and came to assist the brotherly Haitian people. In that context, we note the growing desire of the countries of the region to lend a helping hand to the Haitians. The resolution adopted at the recent General Assembly of the Organization of American States indicates the clear intention of those countries to assist the Mission and contribute to the long-term stabilization of Haiti as a whole. As for the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), whose mandate is to expire in two weeks, the efforts of this special political mission are undoubtedly still needed. We note the ongoing work to adapt the modalities of the Office’s work so that, with fewer personnel but with enhanced security measures for the staff in Port-au-Prince, it can carry out the Mission’s key tasks of promoting political dialogue and assisting the Haitian authorities. In that context, we would like to thank Ms. María Isabel Salvador, Head of BINUH, whose term of office expired this week, for her conscientious service. While international support for Port-au-Prince remains insufficient, Haitians are desperately trying to find their own way out of the catastrophic situation in which they find themselves. All possible options are being considered, including contracts with Western military companies and security agencies. We understand the level of desperation behind such decisions, but we are concerned about the involvement of foreign armed actors whose activities are unregulated and often go hand in hand with violations of human rights and international sanctions. Cases of the indiscriminate use of drones with live ammunition in urban areas and the participation of foreign companies in arms trafficking are particularly worrisome. The Government, which

I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, and Pakistan on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of July and to thank Guyana for its successful presidency in June. Allow me also to thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Executive Director Waly for their briefings. I also welcome the presence of His Excellency Mr. Roberto Álvarez Gil, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, and the Permanent Representatives of Haiti, Kenya and Barbados to our meeting. Regrettably, the security situation in Haiti remains alarming. We note the rising gang violence, exacerbated by the growing popularity of self-defence groups, which challenge the police presence in their territories and try to undermine the legitimacy of the Transitional Presidential Council. The presence of private security companies further complicates the security conditions on the ground because of the lack of regulatory oversight. Allow me to make the following three points. First, the political transition and the peaceful holding of elections in Haiti are contingent upon the restoration of security. We continue to support the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti as the most appropriate tool for tackling gang violence, provided that it is fully deployed and adequately financed. We commend Kenya for its leadership and the contributing countries for their support to the Haitian National Police; we acknowledge that they cannot continue shouldering this burden on their own. The Secretary-General’s recommendation on providing the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti with United Nations logistical operational support appears to provide the way forward for tackling the security impasse, especially given the positive reactions by the Haitian authorities and the stakeholders in the region, in particular the Caribbean Community and the Organization of American States (OAS). In that vein, we welcome the resolution adopted by the OAS last week, which signals the organization’s readiness to provide additional support to Haiti. In order to tackle gang violence, it is also imperative to control criminal activity in Haiti, such as illicit arms and drug trafficking. Strict border and port controls are essential in that regard. We commend the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for the training that it has provided to the Haitian coast guard during the reporting period. The strict implementation of the arms embargo and the sanctions regime are also of paramount importance. We remain ready to consider the imposition of additional measures on individuals and gangs and their support networks, which might be based outside Haiti. Secondly, the fact that children constitute 30 to 50 per cent of gang members is simply abhorrent. As highlighted in the Secretary-General’s latest report on children and armed conflict (S/2025/247), there was a staggering 490 per cent increase in grave violations against Haitian children in 2024. We urge an immediate cessation of the recruitment and use of children by gangs. We support the Haitian authorities’ swift establishment of a new National Commission for Disarmament, Dismantlement and Reintegration and the further implementation of community violence reduction measures, with a particular focus on education and socioeconomic opportunities. Thirdly, we cannot overlook the progress that has been achieved in the political process, in particular the drafting of the revised constitutional text, which includes In conclusion, let me stress that Greece supports an inclusive and sustainable Haitian-led and Haitian-owned political transition. We urge the Haitian authorities to promote good governance and accountability and to prioritize the fight against corruption. In that connection, we acknowledge the invaluable contribution of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti and support the renewal of its strong mandate later this month. We thank and commend Special Representative of the Secretary-General Salvador for her overall work and dedication to the benefit of Haiti and its people.

We congratulate Pakistan on assuming the presidency. We thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča and Executive Director Waly for their briefings. We also thank Special Representative Salvador, as her role is finishing, for her service and her tireless efforts to restore stability in Haiti. And we welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic and the Permanent Representatives of Haiti, Kenya and Barbados to the Chamber. The United Kingdom condemns without reservation the violence that continues to undermine efforts to restore democratic rule in Haiti. Coordinated gang attacks on civilian communities, public buildings and the security services continue to destabilize the Haitian State. The gangs’ use of sexual and gender-based violence as a tool to control the population is abhorrent. We stand with the survivors, and we fully support efforts by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to strengthen law enforcement efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice. The international community, including the Council, needs to support the Haitian Government’s efforts to re-establish security and stability. We thank the penholders for their efforts, and we stand ready to renew the mandate of the special political mission to Haiti. It is clear that more is needed, and the Haitian security forces and the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti should be adequately supported in order to stabilize the security situation. The United Kingdom pays tribute to Kenya for its continued leadership of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti in support of the Haitian police. It is now important for the Council to agree a process to consider the Secretary-General’s recommendations to deliver enhanced United Nations security support to Haiti as a matter of urgency. That action must be matched by Haitian efforts to advance the restoration of democratic rule. We note the recent publication of decrees to facilitate constitutional reform and the establishment of an electoral framework. That is a positive step, but more action is needed to lay the groundwork for inclusive and credible elections. We recognize the complex security environment and the considerable pressures facing the Transitional Presidential Council, and we encourage the Haitian authorities to continue that work, while prioritizing security and justice efforts in order to stabilize the country. The United Kingdom firmly objects to those seeking to undermine such a transition and is committed to maintaining accountability, including through the implementation of sanctions on those who seek to destabilize Haiti. The people of Haiti deserve stability and lasting peace. Collectively, we must find a way to deliver that.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Pakistan. We commend Kenya’s courageous leadership and tangible contributions to peace and stability in Haiti in the face of the daunting challenges in that country. We also appreciate the other nations, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Jamaica, The Bahamas and Belize, that are participating in the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. Pakistan remains deeply concerned by Haiti’s rapid slide into chaos, marked by rampant gang violence, unchecked vigilantism and a worsening humanitarian situation. The Secretary-General’s reports and the stark warnings that we heard today paint a grim reality and set out the possible grave consequences of the crisis. The gangs’ stranglehold has turned Haiti’s streets into battlegrounds. Vigilante killings are on the rise, children are being recruited by armed groups, and the economic collapse and the breakdown in basic services are subjecting hundreds of thousands of Haitians to a life of fear and acute food shortages. The Council has discussed Haiti’s plight time and again, but words alone will not stop the bloodshed or feed the starving. The time for half measures is over. We must act — decisively, collectively and now — before Haiti’s suffering becomes irreversible. In that regard, we wish to underscore four key points. First, the Haitian State must be supported to reclaim its authority. Gangs cannot be allowed to hold the entire nation hostage. Every day without decisive security action deepens the abyss and further erodes Haitian people’s faith in their future. Secondly, Haiti’s stability also requires political unity and responsible leadership that promotes national consensus and charts a common path to recovery, within the imperative of a Haitian-led and -owned process. Thirdly, the Council must ensure that the Multinational Security Support Mission is robust, well-resourced and effective, while also helping to build Haiti’s police, justice and governance capacity for the long term. That is the only viable path forward. Anything less risks a collective failure. As Assistant Secretary- General Jenča noted, without additional support for the Mission, the outlook is bleak. The Secretary-General’s proposals, submitted to the Council on 24 February (see S/2025/122), provide a realistic and practical starting point for action by the Council. Fourthly, regional actors have a vital role to play. We welcome the Organization of American States resolution and the continued engagement of the Caribbean Community in Haiti. However, while regional efforts reinforce the international community’s response, they cannot replace the Council’s primary responsibility to act decisively to help Haiti regain stability. The Council must respond to the strong, unanimous calls for action from Haiti and the region. It is evident that besides the political and security issues, Haiti’s challenges also include underlying, long-standing socioeconomic and development issues that necessitate a holistic approach for a durable peace and stability in Haiti. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the representative of Haiti.

The Republic of Haiti welcomes Pakistan’s presidency of the Security Council and wishes it every success in conducting its work at such a complex time for international events. My delegation also welcomes the presence of Assistant Secretary-General Jenča and Executive Director Ms. Waly for their briefings. I would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), Ms. Salvador, whose mission is coming to an end. We pay tribute to her as she leaves after accomplishing remarkable work in a difficult environment. The Republic of Haiti fully and unreservedly endorses the statement made by our colleague from Guyana, Mrs. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, on behalf of the Caribbean Community. To be honest, we appreciate all the statements made by the members of the Council this morning concerning Haiti. I would like to make a few general observations and try to draw some conclusions. For many years now, the question of Haiti has become almost a ritual at the Security Council, with the presentation of a report of the Secretary-General on the situation in the country, followed by statements by members of the Council and other players directly or indirectly concerned by the crisis, including, naturally, my country. Without wishing to question the rules and procedures of this important organ of our Organization, there are grounds to question the results achieved so far. How can we discuss the same file every year without making any major progress? The process is certainly generating a weariness among the Haitian people, and each meeting of the Security Council raises great hope. We believe that we need to set realistic and measurable objectives, in order to give meaning to this kind of meeting, because being a member of the United Nations Security Council is not a privilege — it is a responsibility. Sometimes, the lives of millions of people around the world depend on a Council meeting. That is, of course, the case for the people of Haiti. So it is up to Council members to keep a watchful eye on everything that is happening in the world and to respond appropriately where necessary. If we look at the world map of situations and crises that could threaten international peace and security, the situation in Haiti could be represented by a small red dot in the Americas, one that has been continuing for several years. We can legitimately wonder — how is that possible? In raising those questions, we are not minimizing my country’s responsibilities in the search for viable and lasting solutions to the serious multidimensional crisis that is undermining the country’s social, economic and political development. Haiti is the principal actor in the management of its crisis. We Haitians are responsible for that situation. Therefore, it is up to us and the country’s leaders to find ways and means of getting out of this quagmire, with the assistance, of course, of the international community. And it is only once we have assumed our responsibilities that the international community will really be able to support us. In that regard, we On the eve of the renewal of the mandate of BINUH and the expiry of that of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, we need to set ourselves clear and achievable goals. To a certain extent, we pity the Mission and our Kenyan brothers who have taken on enormous responsibilities for us but who have not truly received the assistance to which they are entitled and that they also expected. In that respect, the proposals of the Secretary-General, contained in his letter of 24 February (S/2025/122), contain relevant elements relating to the role of the international community. Two successive Presidents of the Transitional Presidential Council, Leslie Voltaire and Fritz Alphonse Jean, have officially affirmed the Haitian Government’s support for those proposals. In particular, we support the establishment of a United Nations support office for the Multinational Security Support Mission, with a view to providing it with much more robust support. In the same vein, we support the renewal of BINUH’s mandate in Haiti. However, that mandate needs to be strengthened in the following areas. As regards the issue of disarming and reintegrating children and young people recruited by gangs, so that they can find their place in society without discrimination, the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration component of BINUH needs to be supplemented by a special component for the reintegration and protection of children, in order to strengthen education, health and nutrition services. With regard to the justice system, we call for firm support from BINUH to help strengthen the justice system, particularly in terms of its capacity to handle the cases of major criminals and allies, as well as many of the sanctioned offenders. With regard to the penitentiary system, we support the idea that support from BINUH could help secure the detention facilities where major criminals and their allies will be incarcerated. In fact, gangs have destroyed the main penitentiaries in the capital. Strange as it may sound, we must build many hospitals, medical dispensaries, schools and prisons. With regard to the sanctions regime, we expect BINUH’s firm support to enable the Haitian justice system to take greater ownership of the sanctions regime, notably through border control, in order to limit the arrival of arms and ammunition that feed the gangs. Finally, we urge BINUH to further improve its communication in Haiti regarding its mandate, so that its role is better known and understood in Haitian society. Before concluding, I welcome the presence of my Kenyan colleague and my friend from Barbados, who I am pleased to see here. I also welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic.

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

We congratulate the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of July and wish it every success. I wish to express our sincere appreciation to the Permanent Representative of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, for her effective leadership of the presidency during the month of June, and for having steadfastly promoted, on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council — namely, Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, plus Guyana, and with the active participation of Panama, an agenda that has restored the centrality of Haiti in the work of the Council, an issue of high priority for our region. We are also extremely grateful to Ms. María Isabel Salvador for her dedication and The situation in Haiti leaves no room for ambiguity. This is my sixteenth appearance before the Council to address the crisis afflicting Haiti, the repercussions of which seriously affect my country. My continued presence here is a sign of the importance that the Government and the people of the Dominican Republic attach to this tragic situation that is afflicting the Haitian people and continues to spill over its borders. The recent report of the Secretary-General on Haiti (S/2025/418) is damning: the country is facing an accelerated human, institutional and security collapse, with more than 80 per cent of Port-au-Prince under the control of armed gangs, 1.6 million internally displaced persons, 1,600 schools closed, 360 incidents of gender-based violence in the first five months of the year, scant hospitals operating, a paralysed judicial system, alarming levels of sexual violence and a child population turned into a target and tool of war. Those figures are the crude portrait of great human suffering that generates an unbearable migratory, economic and social pressure on the Dominican Republic — more than in any other country in the region. Terrorist organizations such as Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, and other criminal networks, control neighbourhoods, ports and commercial routes using drones and sophisticated weapons. They have supplanted the authorities and are carrying out systematic violence against the Haitian people — particularly against women, children, journalists and human rights defenders — using methods such as beheadings, terrifying executions in public and shocking sexual violence. The aforementioned report of the Secretary-General is lucid and clear: the international community must take urgent, coordinated and bold action. The Dominican Republic has repeatedly spoken out on this reality. In early June, President Luis Abinader Corona, together with three former Dominican presidents — Leonel Antonio Fernández Reyna, Rafael Hipólito Mejía Domínguez and Danilo Medina Sánchez, addressed a letter to each Head of State and Government of the member States on the Council, urging them to act without delay. That unprecedented action of national unity reflects the conviction of the Dominican leadership regarding the gravity of the moment. With equal concern, the President of Kenya, William Ruto, addressed the Council appealing to its historical responsibility. Both letters converge in the same appeal: time has run out; it is time to complete the mandate of resolution 2699 (2023). The Dominican Republic believes that United Nations support to Haiti in this crisis must be guided by three fundamental pillars: first, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti; secondly, the sanctions regime and the arms embargo established by resolution 2653 (2022); and thirdly, the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, established by resolution 2699 (2023). The different elements of this tripartite approach have received unanimous support from the American continent. A few days ago, as noted by various speakers this morning, during the fifty-fifth General Assembly of the Organization of American States, held in Antigua and Barbuda, a resolution was adopted calling for the consideration of all United Nations options to achieve peace and stability in Haiti, including the proposal of Secretary-General António Guterres from 24 February (S/2025/122). A few weeks earlier, on 13 June, at the Brazil-Caribbean Summit, 17 countries, comprising the Caribbean islands and Brazil, issued a joint communiqué in which they took note of the Secretary-General’s proposal and called on the United Nations to “have a leading and central role in the response to the pressing security challenges facing Haiti”. The Dominican Republic fully supports the renewal of BINUH’s mandate and the Secretary-General’s proposal for an office to take on the operational The Government of the Dominican Republic continues to collaborate within its capacity, financing medical care and evacuations for the Multinational Security Support Mission, with a diplomatic offensive in favour of that initiative and with numerous measures at the national level to combat arms trafficking and human trafficking. We have formally designated Viv Ansanm, Gran Grif and other major gangs as terrorist organizations, as has the United States. Today we call on the Council to act in accordance with that by including in the sanctions regime established by resolution 2653 (2022) the leaders of those organizations and the individuals, companies and organizations providing them with substantial funding, logistical support and weapons because of their joint responsibility for undermining peace and security in the region. At this difficult time for the Organization and the world given the many conflicts and wars challenging the international community’s agency, the world is crying out more insistently for a sign of unity and hope. Haiti can be one of the starting points for the United Nations to build, together with the Haitian people, a way out of the protracted crisis — not to impose a vision but rather to build it together with the Haitian people. The political and institutional aspects of the crisis in Haiti are just as serious as its humanitarian and security aspects. In just seven months, on 7 February 2026, the Transitional Presidential Council must hand over power, in line with its founding document. Given the security context and political division in Haiti, meeting the deadlines for holding elections, including a constitutional referendum, does not seem feasible. Without going into domestic issues of Haitian politics, we must call on the leadership of our neighbouring country to push for a renewed moral and political pact based on the common good of its people. That is necessary in order to obtain effective support from the international community in return. Renewing BINUH’s mandate and strengthening the Multinational Security Support Mission are not only operational necessities — they are reaffirmations of the credibility of the Organization and acts consistent with the principles on which it is based. Above all, they are acts of justice for the Haitian people. What we do or fail to do for Haiti will mark the Council’s legacy.

I now give the floor to the representative of Kenya.

I would like to congratulate Pakistan on its assumption of the presidency of Security Council for the month of July. I also thank Guyana for its successful presidency for the month of June. I would like to thank Mr. Miroslav Jenča for his comprehensive briefing on the current situation in Haiti, which underscored the invaluable contribution made by Multinational Security Support Mission working in support of the Haitian National Police and the important role played by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) in the efforts to stabilize Haiti. In that respect, I applaud Ms. María Isabel Salvador, outgoing Head of BINUH, for her commendable work during her tenure, notwithstanding the difficult circumstances. I also thank the representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for her frank and candid briefing on the dangers posed by criminal gangs to Haiti and the entire Caribbean region. I acknowledge with gratitude the participation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic and the Permanent I commend the Security Council for its continued commitment to the efforts to find sustainable solutions to the difficulties that the people of Haiti have long endured. We believe that the Council’s commitment reaffirms the international community’s determination to assist the Haitian people to resolve the complex challenges facing the country. On 25 June, we marked one year since Kenya, exercising its lead role in the Multinational Security Support Mission, deployed the first contingent of the Mission in Haiti. Subsequent deployments have so far brought the numbers to 991, with Kenya contributing 735, Guatemala 150, El Salvador 78, Jamaica 25 and The Bahamas 3. Those numbers fall considerably short of what the Security Council approved — namely, 2,500, as envisaged under the concept of operations. Nevertheless, even with the severe personnel and other logistical constraints, the Mission has made significant and commendable progress in stabilizing key areas of Haiti. We have a Government in place, schools and hospitals have been reopened, key installations and critical infrastructure have been secured, such as the Presidential Palace, Port-au-Prince international airport and the main seaport, including other main supply routes, all of which is a testament to the professionalism, bravery and courage of the personnel of the Mission and the Haitian National Police. Even with those gains, as the trust fund currently has $52 million unallocated, the Mission remains underfunded and under-equipped, which is why it is operating at less than 30 per cent of its expected capacity. That exposes the Mission to serious risks and vulnerabilities around sustainability towards achieving the desired end state of realizing resolution 2699 (2023). Given what I have mentioned, the successful deployment and continued operation of the Mission therefore require substantial resources. While we deeply appreciate the invaluable direct support to the Mission by key partners, such as the United States and donors to the United Nations trust fund, much remains to be done to enable the Mission to overcome the severe personnel and other logistical constraints, including the required operational air and maritime support elements. The Mission also requires urgent operationalization of the planned forward operating bases. As of now, only three have been established. Those were intended to serve as advance bases for operational planning and to secure neighbourhoods liberated from gang control, unlike the current practice, whereby personnel of the Mission and the Haitian National Police must consistently return to their main operational bases, leaving those neighbourhoods vulnerable to renewed gang infiltration. The commendable sustained engagement of the Security Council culminated in the request to the Secretary-General for a comprehensive assessment of the situation in Haiti and potential options for enhanced United Nations involvement. Kenya fully welcomes that initiative and the subsequent letter submitted to the Council in February (S/2025/122), which presents clear, actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening the Mission’s operational effectiveness and ensuring its long-term sustainability. Kenya, as a lead nation of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, welcomes the deliberations held on 30 June on the Secretary-General’s report and urges sustained coordinated actions and unity of purpose on the part of members of the Council. It is imperative that that discussion leads to clear, actionable guidance on the future of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, as such direction is essential for Kenya and fellow participating nations to make informed decisions regarding the continuation of their commitments and the broader trajectory towards sustainable peace in Haiti. As we wait for the outcome of the ongoing engagement regarding the Secretary-General’s report, we call upon the I must reiterate that while the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti is a critical and innovative intervention, it is only part of the solution. Haiti’s stability will be accomplished only through a multipronged approach that addresses the root causes of its challenges. The Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti will therefore continue to coordinate and work closely with BINUH, the United Nations country team and the Haitian Government, as they align their efforts to achieve an improving security and political situation. Kenya calls for all relevant Member States to continuously and rigorously implement the sanctions regime adopted by the Council in order to curb the flow of weapons to gangs and to achieve the envisaged key success factors. That is a complementary and crucial component of all efforts aimed at restoring sustainable peace and stability in Haiti. Lastly, I reaffirm that Kenya remains steadfast in its solidarity with the Haitian people and stands ready to engage constructively with all partners in advancing a comprehensive, well-resourced and coordinated international response to support Haiti’s pursuit of peace, stability and democratic governance.

I now give the floor to the Permanent Representative of Barbados.

Let me wish you, Mr. President, and your delegation all the best for the presidency this month. I have the honour to deliver this intervention on behalf of the 14 member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). I begin by welcoming the comprehensive briefings provided by Assistant Secretary-General Jenča and Executive Director Waly this morning. CARICOM remains deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Haiti. Approximately 6 million people remain in need of humanitarian assistance and protection in 2025. The number of internally displaced persons has reached nearly 1.3 million  — a staggering 24 per cent increase compared to December 2024. Violence continues unabated, as criminal gangs expand their foothold, further undermining the safety, stability and future of Haiti. Alarmingly, as has been noted already today, Haiti remains one of only five countries worldwide with people living in famine-like conditions or confronted with catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity. We call on the international community to redouble its efforts to provide the required humanitarian assistance. On the political front, CARICOM urges Haiti’s national authorities to persist in working with all stakeholders to advance the transition process. We underscore the significance of holding a constitutional referendum and elections as soon as possible. Equally vital, however, is ensuring that the political transition is inclusive, deliberate and sustainable so that the gains made along the way are tangible and enduring. Accordingly, Haiti must remain a priority for the international community, and all stakeholders must continue to offer their coordinated support, in line with the priorities, needs and ambitions of the Haitian people. CARICOM commends the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) for its sustained support for the people of Haiti, amid considerable security, humanitarian and political challenges. We take this opportunity to express our appreciation to outgoing Special Representative of the Secretary-General María Isabel Salvador for her leadership. Within that context, we welcome BINUH’s coordination of United Nations agencies through an electoral task force, its continued advice on arms and As we have previously underscored, to be truly Haitian-led and Haitian-owned, Haiti’s political process must be inclusive. A whole-of-society approach is critical to ensure that no group is sidelined from the decisions that shape their nation’s future. To that end, CARICOM urges the Council to use the renewal of BINUH’s mandate as a strategic opportunity to advance progress in that country. The Council should give BINUH a more robust mandate so that it can effectively support Haiti’s political transition and affect the situation on the ground, in coordination with all stakeholders, agencies and the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. In that regard, CARICOM salutes Kenya’s leadership of the Mission and strongly commends all other countries that have participated in it or contributed to its funding. The Council has long demonstrated its commitment to the people of Haiti, and we encourage all Council members to preserve that unity in the upcoming renewal of BINUH’s mandate. BINUH’s role in Haiti is crucial. It offers indispensable support to the people and Government of Haiti in strengthening political stability, security, good governance and the rule of law to preserve and advance a peaceful and stable environment and also address the root causes of instability. Not only does BINUH need a robust mandate, but the people of Haiti also deserve nothing less. We recognize the importance of integrating the Secretary-General’s proposals into BINUH’s mandate. We endorse the proposal that BINUH assume new responsibilities, including in supporting the Haitian authorities in the handling of the detention and the prosecution of high-risk individuals and in the implementation of the arms embargo. We echo the Secretary-General’s call for BINUH’s operational activity to be prioritized and adequately funded, including through cost-sharing arrangements with the new support office, as needed. At this defining moment, Haiti fatigue cannot be allowed to set in. The crisis is not only a national emergency but also a regional one. The future of Haiti is inextricably linked with the future of our region. CARICOM, through the ongoing efforts of its Eminent Persons Group, will continue to stand by the people of Haiti, as they pursue comprehensive peace, stability and prosperity in their nation. The wider region, through the resolution recently adopted by the General Assembly of the Organization of American States, has also indicated its strong support for addressing the multifaceted challenges in Haiti. In conclusion, while today’s meeting is on BINUH, CARICOM nevertheless takes this opportunity to call on the Council urgently to consider the proposal of the Secretary-General submitted four months ago (S/2025/122) for a hybrid approach in addressing the security situation in Haiti. That stability is critical for progress in other areas, including advancing the political process and addressing the humanitarian situation. Indeed, BINUH’s mandate will not be effectively implemented without such stability. The Council must therefore act now.

I can say that the situation in Haiti remains under the active consideration of the Council. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers.