S/PV.9956 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Barbados and Haiti to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2025/454, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by Panama and the United States of America. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2785 (2025). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who would like to make statements after the voting.

The United States would like to thank co-penholder Panama for its work to help the Security Council to achieve the unanimous adoption of this important resolution (resolution 2785 (2025)). Less than one year remains on the Transitional Presidential Council’s planned road map for the restoration of democratic institutions in Haiti, including elections to facilitate the seating of a democratically elected president by February 2026. The continued presence of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) will help to support Haiti in its path towards that democratic transition. Today’s reauthorization of the BINUH mandate is an important step closer to that goal. Supporting the security of elections and the participation of all sectors of society is key to sustainable political progress in Haiti. Without BINUH, realizing the vision of a stronger, more resilient society would be less likely. The United States continues to work closely with those invested in Haiti’s security to drive progress forward. To that end, we encourage international stakeholders and donors to come to the table and contribute their fair share. We thank those who have already made substantial contributions. However, the situation requires others to step up and contribute more. We must support the efforts of BINUH, the Haitian Government, the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission and regional organizations, including the Organization of American States (OAS), through means that are financially and strategically sustainable for Council members. As we have said before, BINUH represents one element of an international response to Haiti’s insecurity. United Nations options, a greater role for regional organizations like the OAS and the continuation of a multinational security support mission with a Chapter VII mandate are not mutually exclusive. Our work is far from finished. The reauthorization of BINUH’s mandate is a positive step to support the Haitian people, but we must continue to refine our approach. As Council members, our continuing collective efforts have the power to secure a more just and peaceful future for all Haitians. We urge all Council members and all Member States to extend their support along with us.

We welcome the recent inclusion of gang coalitions in the sanctions regime established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022). That is an important step, but not sufficient to dismantle the structures that perpetuate violence and weaken institutions. We thank the United States as co-penholder for its work and all Council members for their constructive approach to this mandate renewal. As a country in the region, we recognize the constraints posed by the conditions of insecurity in Haiti. However, in that context, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti remains an essential actor in supporting the country in its efforts towards stability. The crisis of insecurity in the country is complex, and it is precisely because of its multidimensional nature that we cannot neglect institutional strengthening and progress in the political process towards elections when conditions so permit. The mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti remains essential to supporting the Haitian authorities on that path, through its support for the promotion of human rights, the rule of law and political dialogue. Without those elements, there will be no lasting stability. The resolution (resolution 2785 (2025)) represents a formal response on the part of the Council. However, it must also represent a clear commitment to address the recommendations contained in the Secretary-General’s letter of 24 February (S/2025/122), and as the text itself clearly states, we must do so without delay. The time to make good on that commitment is not at the time of the renewal of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, at the end of September, because that would be too late. The time must be now. The crisis in Haiti, its causes and the structure of its political, economic and security complexities have been widely known for a long time — perhaps too long. However, the responsibility to come up with concrete solutions continues to be postponed in an exercise of prolonged procrastination, more or less a kind of chronicle of a death foretold, as the distinguished Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez wisely identified. The time must come soon. The Haitian people cannot and must not wait any longer.

France thanks the United States and Panama for their work as co-penholders, which led to the unanimous adoption of the The Office has a role to play in supporting the Haitian authorities as they work towards a return to stability and a lasting end to the country’s deep crisis. That support is needed to facilitate the political transition process, to help fully implement the sanctions regime, to help build the capacity of the Haitian security forces, to put in place mechanisms to demobilize the gangs and to work to strengthen Haiti’s judicial and penal systems. France thanks Ms. María Isabel Salvador for her work and welcomes the appointment of Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu as the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of BINUH. It expresses its full support for him. We hope that in the coming months he will be able to put forward proposals on the role that the Office could be asked to play. This technical renewal of a few months should not blind us to the urgent need for the Council to take action to strengthen support for security in Haiti. France welcomes the fact that the Council has expressed its intention, in the resolution we have just adopted, to examine without delay the Secretary-General’s recommendations of last February. The efforts made by Kenya and the States in the region, which we welcome and which are more necessary than ever, must be supported by a clear framework provided by the United Nations. It must provide strategic and operational expertise as well as essential logistical support. Almost five months after the Secretary-General transmitted his recommendations, the urgency of the security and humanitarian situation compels us to move forward. The effectiveness and sustainability of the efforts being made under the aegis of the Multinational Security Support Mission and our collective commitment to Haiti depend on it. France will continue to work with all the members of the Council to that end.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Council plus one (A3+), namely Algeria, Guyana, Somalia and my own country, Sierra Leone. We welcome the unanimous adoption of resolution 2785 (2025) extending the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) until 31 January 2026. We thank Panama and the United States for facilitating the negotiations and extend our appreciation to the delegations that supported our call for stronger language in the text, signalling the Council’s intention to consider without delay the Secretary-General’s recommendations on increased United Nations support to Haiti, with the urgency the situation demands. The A3+ reiterates its full support for the renewal of BINUH’s mandate and looks forward to engaging fellow Council members soon on the proposals for an enhanced role for BINUH’s mission in supporting the political transition in Haiti and in bolstering enforcement action against the gangs. We acknowledge the dedication and commitment of the BINUH team in executing their mandate and trying to make a tangible difference in the lives of the Haitian people, despite the personal operational challenges stemming from the dangerous environment in which the mission is forced to operate. In that respect, we have taken note of the steps taken by the United Nations Secretariat to adapt the implementation of the mission’s mandate to the changes in the operating environment in Haiti, and the four strategic measures outlined to ensure a more focused and impactful mission.

China welcomes the unanimous adoption by the Council of resolution 2785 (2025) on the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). The current situation in Haiti remains complex and severe. The extension of BINUH’s mandate will enable the United Nations to continue to support the stabilization of Haiti. It reflects the international community’s shared will and collective actions to support Haiti in overcoming its challenges. In that connection, I reiterate China’s support for BINUH, commend Special Representative Salvador for her work over the past two years and congratulate Special Representative Ruiz Massieu on his appointment. Of the many crises in Haiti, the political crisis is a critical one. Supporting the Haitian political process is a core mandate of BINUH, as a special political mission. China calls on all Haitian parties and factions to strengthen unity and shoulder their responsibilities. We hope to see and support BINUH’s enhanced efforts to advance the political process through coordination and collaboration with the Caribbean Community and other regional organizations. We note the efforts made by the Secretariat to optimize implementation of BINUH’s mandate. We hope that it will maintain communication with the Council on the matter and that those changes will help the mission to better adapt to the evolving situation and play its role more effectively. Resolution 2785 (2025), just adopted, reaffirms the Council’s continued support for a comprehensive solution, led and owned by the Haitian people, to address the root causes of the multidimensional crisis in Haiti. We support the Haitian authorities, regional countries and international community in taking multipronged measures with regard to the political process; security support; the arms embargo; and sanctions against economic, development and humanitarian systems in order to tackle both the symptoms and root causes of crises and to forge synergy. With regard to improving the situation in Haiti, including how to respond to the Secretary-General’s recommendations, we are ready to engage in candid communication with all parties, explore viable solutions and seek the broadest possible consensus. China is willing to continue working with the international community to play a constructive role in helping Haiti find the right path out of crisis sooner rather than later.

I now give the floor to the representative of Haiti.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank the members of the Security Council, in particular the penholders for Haiti  — Panama and the United States of America, for having facilitated the unanimous adoption of resolution 2785 (2025), extending the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) until 31 January 2026. I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome and wish every success to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and new Head of BINUH, Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, to replace Ms. María Isabel Salvador, whose work in that post was extraordinary. BINUH’s mission must also be part of a comprehensive plan to support the Haitian authorities in order to enable them to better address this serious crisis that is unfolding in the country. We welcome the willingness expressed by the Council, through this resolution, to consider, without delay, the recommendations proposed by the Secretary-General on 24 February 2025 (S/2025/122) on the possible role that the United Nations could play in order to maintain security and stability in Haiti. In conclusion, I thank all the speakers for their support for this resolution and their support for Haiti. I also thank our friends in CARICOM, represented here by Barbados, for all of their support for my country.

I now give the floor to the representative of Barbados.

I have the honour to deliver this intervention on behalf of the 14 member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). CARICOM welcomes the Council’s unanimous decision to renew the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). We express our appreciation in particular to the penholders, Panama and the United States. BINUH will continue to play a critical role in supporting Haiti’s emergence from the present multidimensional crisis. In that regard, Haiti, BINUH, the entire United Nations system and the Multinational Security Support Mission can continue to count on CARICOM’s total commitment to achieving the goals of peace, security and sustainable development, which are critical to the people of Haiti and those of the entire Caribbean region. CARICOM is convinced that Haiti can emerge from its present situation on the basis of Haitian-led solutions and resolute support from the international community. CARICOM Heads of Government reiterated their concern and commitment at their meeting only last week in Jamaica, committing to: “redouble [their] efforts to engage with all relevant actors for the mobilization of resources for security support, and to provide direct humanitarian assistance. ... Heads of Government agreed that urgent action is needed on the humanitarian crisis in Haiti and called on international partners to pay attention and to provide support which is needed to bring security and stability to Haiti.” CARICOM also welcomes the Council’s commitment to consider, without delay, the recommendations made by the Secretary-General on 24 February 2025 (S/2025/122) on the possible role the United Nations could play to sustain security and stability in Haiti. Our region has already expressed strong support for those recommendations, and we take this opportunity to reiterate that support. We encourage the Council to reaffirm the importance of the strategic integration between BINUH and the broader United Nations country team. While BINUH carries the political mandate, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, alongside the humanitarian response, bring critical capacities in areas such as local governance, violence reduction, institutional strengthening, access to justice and peacebuilding. We are also encouraged to note that on 8 July, the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022), concerning Haiti, approved the addition of two additional entries on its sanctions list of individuals and entities subject to the measures imposed by the Council and adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. Finally, we take this opportunity to welcome to his new responsibilities His Excellency Mr. Carlos G. Ruiz Massieu as the Secretary-General’s new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of BINUH. CARICOM expresses its full appreciation to the outgoing Special Representative, Her Excellency Ms. María Isabel Salvador, for her dedication and service. We look forward to continuing and deepening the dialogue with the new Special Representative.