On November 6, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) of Haiti, in collaboration with the Regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the United Nations system, hosted a pivotal session of the Private Sector Engagement Forum at the Karibe Convention Center in Pétion-ville. The event aimed to address the pressing issue of community violence in Haiti through economic and social strategies. Key attendees included Frinel Joseph, Presidential Advisor; Pedrica Saint Jean, Minister for the Status of Women; James Monazard, Minister of Commerce and Industry; and representatives from the UN and the Kenyan Gang Suppression Force (GSF).
The forum focused on the National Action Plan for Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration, and Reduction of Community Violence (DDR-RVC), emphasizing the need to tackle the root causes of violence by fostering sustainable economic opportunities. Discussions underscored the importance of economic governance, local solutions, and private sector integration into national stabilization efforts. The overarching goal is to strengthen communities, boost local employment, and promote social peace.
In his address, Frinel Joseph highlighted the necessity of peace for constitutional order, urging private sector involvement in youth reintegration and community reconstruction. Minister Monazard outlined short-term initiatives to support entrepreneurship in violence-free areas and long-term plans to enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem in vulnerable neighborhoods. He stressed the role of inclusive economic development in combating insecurity.
Minister Pedrica Saint Jean emphasized the critical role of women in peacebuilding and economic recovery, calling for their active participation in community mediation and social reconstruction. She urged the private sector to adopt a gender perspective in its strategies, asserting that women’s involvement is essential for lasting peace and economic recovery. The forum concluded with a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to building an inclusive and resilient society with women as key contributors to national development.