Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Mr President
Let me first congratulate Spain and your delegation for taking on the role of the presidency. You can be assured New Zealand will do everything to support you. I want to also thank and commend the Russian delegation for the calm and efficient way they managed us through a difficult month.
I want to thank Ms. Sandra Honoré, for her briefing and commitment to reconstruction in Haiti and also to thank MINUSTAH and the Troop Contributing Countries for the very important work they’re doing.
Today’s discussions on MINUSTAH come at a very important time in Haiti’s emergence from a long period of instability and for the consolidation of Haiti’s democracy and institution building.
New Zealand welcomes the positive trends in the stabilisation of Haiti, in particular the commencement of a long overdue election process.
In this regard, the holding of the legislative elections on 9 August was a significant step towards the renewal of Haiti’s democratic institutions.
As we have heard, while they were not completely free of irregularities or violence, the fact that these elections were judged to be inclusive and transparent is nonetheless a sign of genuine progress. We are also encouraged by the performance of the Haitian National Police, which has continued to develop with MINUSTAH’s support.
We commend Haiti’s electoral institutions for their efforts and urge them to implement lessons learned from the 9 August elections in preparation for the next, more challenging phase of the electoral process. Equally, we urge all Haitian political actors to do everything possible to ensure that elections take place in stable and peaceful conditions.
Mr President
It is vital that the Haitian authorities lead the management of the elections and are at the forefront of efforts to maintain Haiti’s security and stability. It is also clear that MINUSTAH has a role to play during this period in supporting a secure and stable environment that is conducive to free and fair elections.
But as we said in this chamber in March, MINUSTAH will not be in Haiti forever.
The Mission should evolve as the situation on the ground allows, and as the Haitian authorities and institutions are ready to assume full responsibility for Haiti’s security.
For this reason we too support the Secretary-General conducting a strategic assessment of the situation in Haiti after the current electoral cycle and in close consultation with the Haitian government.
While we do not want to prejudge the outcome of this strategic assessment, should the positive trajectory in Haiti’s stabilisation continue, New Zealand will certainly welcome a discussion on the United Nations’ footprint in Haiti, and in particular the future of MINUSTAH. The capacity of the Haitian National Police to manage Haiti’s security challenges should be central to this discussion.
In considering the UN’s future presence in Haiti, it will also be important to take into account concerning aspects of the humanitarian situation in the country, including in relation to cholera and internally displaced persons.
Mr President
Let me conclude by reiterating that Haiti is at a critical point on its path to restoring an inclusive and representative democracy. We hope that in the coming months Haiti will complete a peaceful political transition and successfully demonstrate the progress it has made in taking full control of its future. We also hope that this Council will continue to exercise due patience and prudence, and be united in expressing its support to Haiti at this important time.
Thank you.