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Mr Chair, Mr President of the General Assembly, Excellencies, 

I am delivering this statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia^*, Montenegro^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^* and Georgia, align themselves with this statement.

I want to thank the panel for their insightful briefings on the complex crisis facing Haiti. I also want to thank the PBC and ECOSOC chairs for focusing this joint session on Haiti. The situation in Haiti remains as extremely concerning as it is, all too often, neglected. This joint session has changed that.

The armed group violence and lawlessness that have characterised the past year have inflicted a heavy toll on the country’s people. And the situation is further deteriorating. This is a clear example of a situation where we need to take a comprehensive peace-development-humanitarian nexus approach, and thus it is very fitting to have this joint session. 

The European Union supports the UN stabilisation efforts in Haiti, including via the UN Integrated Office (BINUH), as well as the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission. We follow very closely the discussions on the future of the mission and the role of BINUH in this context. But in addition to the MSS mission, it is fundamental to implement accompanying measures to ensure lasting results. 

As a longstanding political and development partner of Haiti, the EU continues to support Haiti to advance towards a path of comprehensive security and stabilisation along the triple nexus. Since 2021, the European Union has allocated approx. 200 million EUR in humanitarian, development, and stabilization assistance to Haiti. 

Following a request by the Haitian Ministry of Finance and Economy in May 2024, the European Union also joined forces with the United Nations, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Word Bank to jointly conduct a Rapid Crisis Impact Assessment for Haiti (RCIA). 

In consultation with the Haitian government, the assessment was structured around four priority axes: economic recovery, infrastructure rehabilitation, social security and services, and the rule of law. The report was finalized in December 2024. 

The Rapid Crisis Impact Assessment provides a clear framework for action and is an excellent example of a cooperation among the UN, the European Union, and IFIs to ensure a coordinated response among key peacebuilding and development partners. 

Let me underline a few important conclusions: 

First, the RCIA can only succeed if the enabling environment is right: that is security as well as government capacity and access. Cooperation to curb weapons trafficking should be intensified. The EU supports the training, equipment, and customs control efforts of the Haitian National Police. These measures target arms trafficking and money laundering which are fuelling the crisis.

Second, armed group violence impacts both the security situation and the economy and human rights. It has led to a significant increase in homicides, kidnappings, and displacements. We support a comprehensive approach to address this, including strengthening the Haitian National Police, implementing community-level peacebuilding initiatives, and targeting socioeconomic drivers of violence. Promoting job opportunities for youth in vulnerable areas of the capital to counteract the pressure of gangs is an important aspect of this. 

Third, of great concern is the recruitment of children by armed gangs. Facilitating their safe exit is instrumental for Haiti’s future peaceful development. Effective measures include establishing strong community-based prevention and early-warning mechanisms, conducting targeted awareness campaigns to reduce stigma against demobilised children, and providing educational and economic alternatives for at-risk youth. 

And finally, women and girls are disproportionately affected by the crisis and require targeted support. We must also empower women in the context of recovery and reconstruction, through programmes that promote gender equality, increase their participation in dialogue and peace processes, and provide support services for survivors of gender-based violence. Women can make a decisive difference in this particular context.

In conclusion, Chair, I can assure you of the European Union’s continued attention and support to the situation in Haiti in coordination with the United Nations, IFIs, and regional actors. 

Thank you. 

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.