During the 21st session of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) General Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 25, 2025, James Monazard, Haiti’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, highlighted the obstacles to industrial growth in Haiti while reaffirming the government’s dedication to fostering sustainable and inclusive industrialization. Monazard acknowledged the significant challenges but expressed optimism, stating, ‘The gap we have to close seems immense, but it is not insurmountable.’
Monazard emphasized the industrial sector’s pivotal role in revitalizing Haiti’s economy, particularly through job creation and enhancing living standards. He underscored that employment generation remains a top priority for the Presidential Transitional Council and the Haitian government. The Minister called on international partners to assist Haiti in areas such as digitalization, agricultural innovation, resilient technology adoption, and technical training.
On the sidelines of the conference, Monazard met with Ms. Fatou Haidara, UNIDO’s Deputy Director General and Director of Cooperation with Member States and External Partners, to explore opportunities for enhanced collaboration between Haiti and UNIDO. Their discussions centered on bolstering national technical capacities, including youth training, evaluating the Haiti-UNIDO Country Project initiated in 2015-2016, and implementing the objectives of the Doha Development Agenda 2022-2031, which focuses on aiding Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Both parties pledged to intensify their partnership to support Haiti’s sustainable industrial development.
Additionally, Monazard proposed the establishment of an industrial investment fund for LDCs, arguing that such a mechanism would facilitate the execution of transformative projects.
In closing, Haiti reiterated its commitment to actively engage in international exchanges, share its experiences, and forge sustainable partnerships aimed at inclusive industrialization that fosters widespread prosperity.
UNIDO, the UN’s specialized agency for industrial development, assists countries, particularly developing nations, in strengthening their industrial bases, creating jobs, developing clean technologies, and promoting sustainable, inclusive, and innovative economic growth.