STATEMENT BY MRS. JANICE MILLER, COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF JAMAICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE G77 AND CHINA UNDER AGENDA ITEM 7 (d) OF THE SUBSTANTIVE SESSION OF ECOSOC: COORDINATION, PROGRAMME AND OTHER QUESTIONS: LONG-TERM PROGRAMME OF SUPPORT FOR HAITI (New York, 18 July 2005)

Mr. President,

The G77 and China welcomes the report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti. The Group continues to support the work of this ad hoc advisory group which is important in mobilizing the support of the international community in strengthening the economic and social foundations of Haiti and in building and improving institutional capacity.

We recall that this Ad Hoc Advisory Group was reactivated on the basis of examining the humanitarian and economic needs of Haiti and that it would monitor and provide advice on Haiti’s long-term development strategy so as to promote socio-economic recovery and stability. The Ad Hoc Advisory Group is also to ensure coherence and sustainability in international support.

The report indicates that Haiti remains in a critical socio-economic situation with profound implications for the future of the country and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The report details the difficulties being experienced in a situation of dire poverty underpinned by, among other factors, a lack of durable growth, a diminished education system and severe environmental degradation. Developmental progress in the country is further hampered by the consequences of natural disasters as Haiti has, in the course of the last year alone, borne the brunt of flooding, torrential rains and the devastation caused by two hurricanes including most recently Hurricane Dennis.

The assessment that Haiti is a country with special needs is pertinent. The G77 and China emphasizes that the work of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group should continue to take into account the peculiarities of the situation confronting Haiti in addressing the priorities for its long-term development. The Group also emphasizes that the long-term strategy and programme of support should continue to focus on areas such as education, poverty eradication, social integration, productive employment, trade, durable recovery and sustainable development.

It is important for the Haitian people to have a stake in the process. While an approach utilizing the “quick-wins” applicable to the Haitian situation as identified by the Millennium Project Report could be useful, at the same time, measures must be taken to avoid the hindrances faced in the disbursement of pledges promised in Washington in 2004 and in Cayenne earlier this year. There is need for more coordination and coherence by the donors in addressing the actual needs of Haiti as identified under the various sectoral tables of the Interim Cooperation Framework. Similarly, the procedures for the disbursement of assistance need to be simplified. The G77 and China is in support of the need for flexibility in the disbursement procedures so as to allow for the early implementation of projects thus providing for employment generation which will effectively minimize tension and discontent among the population.

The G77 and China has taken note of the steps taken by Haiti to restore its financial and economic stability. In view of the serious challenges faced in terms of debt sustainability, consideration should be given to a large percentage of debt relief for Haiti.

The holding of the elections later on this year will be a positive step for Haiti and its people and will establish the basis for a return of confidence and stability. This process should not be hindered due to a lack of security. Increased attention should therefore be paid to the priority areas of policing, the restoration of justice and the rule of law, the implementation of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes, human rights and the improvement of the condition of the poor.

The G77 and China also considers that the other priorities identified in the report in terms of economic governance, transport infrastructure, environmental protection, energy, agriculture, education, and the provision of land titles would prove useful for building or strengthening the systems for effective governance, public safety, and equitable access by Haitians to basic social services. The Ad Hoc Advisory Group should, in the future, work along with Haiti in elaborating and implementing these priority areas.

The Economic and Social Council, through the Ad Hoc Advisory Group, should continue to accompany Haiti on its path towards recovery and development. The G77 and China therefore supports the renewal of the mandate of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti and calls for adequate financial resources to be made available for its continued work.

In conclusion, the G77 and China commends the actions undertaken by the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti in conjunction with the Haitian authorities in addressing the long-term needs of Haiti. Much work remains to be done and the relevant United Nations funds and programmes and specialized agencies should maintain their assistance to the Ad Hoc Advisory Group in the accomplishment of its tasks.