I want to begin by thanking the Government of Haiti for the arrangements made for this visit and for the open and constructive dialogue throughout our delegation. I also want to express my sincere appreciation to our Inter-American and international partners. Representatives of the OAS, CARICOM, the United Nations, the Panamerican Health Organization, the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, CAF - Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Inter-American Defense Board, and the Inter-American Defense College joined this delegation. I thank Secretary General Carla Barnett of the Caribbean Community for joining this important joint effort. The presence of the delegation reflects a shared and collective commitment to support Haiti at this critical moment.
We came here to listen, assess where things stand, and identify where greater urgency and stronger coordination are required. We are leaving with a better understanding of the priorities and needs of Haiti. We leave with a clear conclusion: we have to collectively speed up the work on security and elections as Haiti's two most immediate and interconnected priorities.
Political Environment
We also had a constructive meeting with Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and discussed frankly the progress achieved and the considerable challenges that remain. Haiti's political and institutional actors must act in unity and remain focused on the fundamental objective: restoring constitutional and democratically elected government through a credible electoral process.
Security
On security, the members of this delegation expressed their full support for the renewal of the mandate of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) at the United Nations. But renewal of the mandate alone will not be enough. I call on OAS Member States and international partners that have pledged personnel, equipment, or financial resources to accelerate the fulfillment of those commitments.
The efforts of the GSF are essential to improving security and public safety; and to creating the conditions for a safe electoral process. Progress must be visible and measurable as soon as possible. Immediate objectives include reducing the territorial control of armed gangs, securing the main route to the international airport, ensuring sustained access to the airport and port, and restoring secure access toward the south of the country.
Our discussions with the leadership of the GSF reinforced our conviction that the Force must receive the personnel, financing, logistical support, and operational capabilities required to deliver results. We thank the GSF leadership for their efforts in this regard.
Health Security
We understand the multidimensional nature of security in Haiti. In this regard, PAHO has played a key role. From controlling cholera outbreaks and supporting displaced populations to sustaining trauma care in Port-au-Prince and protecting women and children, PAHO's technical cooperation has remained a vital pillar of Haiti's health security throughout one of the most complex humanitarian crises in the Americas.
This visit ends with a commitment to work with the Haitian National Police (HNP) in building trauma centers to care for wounded officers. The OAS alongside PAHO and other partners will work towards this end.
Elections
On elections, we recognize the work being undertaken by the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), the National Identification Office (ONI), the Government of Haiti, and other relevant institutions in preparation for the upcoming elections scheduled for December 13.
Our discussions with the CEP were open, wide ranging and constructive. At the same time, the electoral timetable requires urgent acceleration. There is a need to intensify citizen registration and identification, as well as public information, outreach, and voter mobilization campaigns.
The integrity of the process also requires confidence in the rules governing candidacies and their consistent application. Any concerns regarding candidate eligibility or potential links to illicit activities must be addressed transparently and in accordance with Haitian law and international electoral good practice.
The OAS will maintain a continuous assessment of both the security environment and electoral preparations. These two dimensions cannot be separated.
Concrete outcomes
This visit also produced concrete results.
We welcome the formalization of Haiti's accession to CAF Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, in an operation facilitated by the OAS, expanding Haiti's access to financing, technical cooperation, and development tools.
We signed a new US$3 million cooperation agreement with the Government of Japan to strengthen civil identification, including the acquisition of 350.000 biometric identification cards, expanded mobile registration services, and stronger coordination between the National Identification Office and the CEP.
We also signed a new agreement with Brazilian NGO Viva Rio, building on Canadian-supported work to strengthen social cohesion and expand opportunities for youth and women affected by violence.
The OAS will soon, in collaboration with private sector organizations, among them the Latin American Business Council (Consejo Empresarial de America Latina, CEAL), mount a delegation of business leaders to discuss investment projects in Haiti resulting in more jobs, steady income and a future for youth at risk.
These are tangible examples of what we mean when we say that the international community must move from solidarity and commitments to implementation and results.
Next steps
This mission is not the end of the process.
On August 26, I will report to the Permanent Council of the OAS on the findings of this mission and the areas where greater action is required. On September 4, I will convene the next meeting of the Group of Friends of Haiti to continue mobilizing political, technical, and financial support.
Haiti is at a decisive point. The future of Haiti belongs first and foremost to the Haitian people. But the international community also has responsibilities.
Our task is clear: accelerate security support, intensify electoral preparations, fulfill the commitments already made, and ensure that our cooperation produces results that Haitians can see and experience in their daily lives.
The OAS will remain fully engaged in that effort.
Reference: E-092/26
