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Background

JOINT COMMUNIQUE MEETING OAS – ECOSOC ADVISORY GROUP ON HAITI

In the context on their ongoing engagement with Haiti, an OAS delegation led by the Assistant Secretary General and Chair of the Haiti Task Force, Ambassador Albert Ramdin, met with the ECOSOC Ad Advisory Group on Haiti chaired by Ambassador John McNee, Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations, on April 8, 2008 at the OAS Headquarters in Washington DC. The delegations exchanged views on the work of the international community in Haiti and noted a marked improvement of the political and security situation, due to the inclusiveness and reconciliation policy implemented by President Rene Preval, among other factors.

Both delegations reaffirmed the willingness of their respective organization to continue promoting stability and socio-economic development in Haiti, and supporting the efforts of this country to mobilize resources for the funding of the National Strategy Paper for Growth and Poverty Reduction (DSNCRP), in particular to create jobs.

The review of the organizations’ programs with Haiti showed that the OAS is providing support in the areas of civil registry modernization, tourism, electoral system, disaster mitigation, trade, and capacity building, among other projects. For its part, the ECOSOC Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti aims to “follow closely and provide advice on the long-term development strategy of Haiti to promote socio-economic recovery and stability”. Of particular interest to the Group are the issues of aid efficiency and donor’s coordination, institutional capacity building and levers for economic and social development in Haiti, including the promotion of investments.

The delegations expressed their concerns over the deterioration of the situation in Haiti, as demonstrations deriving from the increase of the cost of living extended to several cities and caused loss of live and property damages. In their view, the Government of Haiti, with the support of MINUSTAH, should play a decisive role in preventing and containing further disruptions, while major efforts must be deployed to mitigate poverty in the population. They call upon all forces in the Haitian society to unite in order to stop the unrest trend, preserve the democratic gains and work assiduously toward peace and prosperity.

The Economic and Social Council decided to extend the mandate of the ECOSOC Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti in July 2007 until the substantive session in July 2008, when the Group will submit a report on its work. The OAS is mandated to remain engaged with and support the people and Government of Haiti by the General Assembly, through Resolution AG/RES 2306.

Reference: COMMUNIQUE