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In a landmark step toward advancing social equity and securing retirement futures for Haitian workers, Haiti’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MAST), in partnership with the National Old-Age Insurance Office (ONA), kicked off the National Forum on the Modernization and Consolidation of the General Pension System on September 16, 2026. Running through September 18, this three-day collaborative gathering is centered on the core values of social justice and intergenerational solidarity, bringing together stakeholders to address longstanding gaps in the Caribbean nation’s retirement infrastructure.

The forum was structured to move systematically from problem diagnosis to actionable reform, with each day dedicated to a distinct phase of the modernization process. The opening day, themed “Understanding the ONA and Diagnosing the General ONA System”, focused entirely on mapping the current state of Haiti’s pension framework. Participants conducted a frank assessment of the system’s existing strengths, persistent weaknesses, and the most pressing challenges that have prevented it from serving all Haitian workers equitably.

On the second day of discussions, attendees will shift to forward-looking design, working to outline a new pension framework that is modern, fair, and financially stable over the long term. A central focus of this phase will be building flexible social protection mechanisms that align with Haiti’s unique economic and labor landscape, which is dominated by large numbers of workers in non-formal employment.

The third and final day will be dedicated to expanding overall social protection coverage and building a clear, time-bound reform roadmap. By the close of the forum, participants aim to produce specific, implementable recommendations that can be rolled out in incremental stages over the short, medium, and long term.

In his opening address to the forum, MAST Minister Marc-Elie Nelson framed the reform effort as far more than a bureaucratic or financial adjustment. “We are not simply opening a Pensions Forum today. We are launching a project on social justice,” he emphasized.

Nelson underscored the fundamental moral obligation of the state to ensure that Haitians who spent their lives contributing to the national economy can access a secure, dignified retirement. A top priority of the modernization push, he noted, is the gradual inclusion of informal sector workers into the social protection system—a long-overdue adjustment to reflect the realities of Haiti’s labor market.

“Informal workers are not invisible workers,” Nelson stated. He pointed out that workers across the informal economy, from street vendors and small-scale farmers to transporters, construction workers, repair technicians and small producers, make critical contributions to the country’s overall wealth and deserve the same retirement security as formal sector employees.

Beyond expanding coverage, the modernization effort also targets systemic improvements to service delivery for insured people. Key priorities identified for the reform include simplifying burdensome administrative procedures, rolling out digital service access, strengthening personal data protection, and making pension institutions more accessible to communities across the country.

For Nelson, digital transformation of the pension system must always be rooted in a clear social mission: to deliver tangible improvements to the daily lives and well-being of Haitian citizens. He added that modernization must also go hand in hand with stricter requirements for transparency, institutional integrity, independent oversight, and public accountability across all pension governing bodies.

The core end goal of the forum is to create a detailed reform roadmap that clearly defines required actions, assigns institutional responsibilities, sets firm deadlines, and establishes robust mechanisms to track progress and outcomes. Echoing the need for accountability, Nelson noted: “A reform without a timeline remains just an intention. A reform without those responsible remains just talk, and a reform without follow-up becomes a forgotten promise.”

On September 16, 2026, senior security leaders from across Haiti gathered for the opening of a landmark inter-agency workshop focused on embedding international legal standards for the use of force into ongoing counter-gang security operations. Jointly organized for the Haitian National Police (PNH), the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H), and the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), the event centered on aligning operational practices with the frameworks of International Human Rights Law (IHRL) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with technical and logistical support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Haiti.

In his opening keynote address, Acting PNH Director General Vladimir Paraison opened by acknowledging the critical support the ICRC has provided to Haiti’s security sector, framing the workshop as a strategically vital initiative for upholding the legitimacy of Haiti’s ongoing campaign to stabilize the country.

Paraison acknowledged that Haiti currently faces one of the most complex security crises in its modern history, noting that PNH, alongside military and GSF partners, has been waging an unremitting ground campaign to reestablish public order and protect vulnerable civilian communities from widespread gang violence. He emphasized that while courage and resolve remain foundational to these operations, the unique complexity of Haiti’s current security landscape demands more than just tactical skill: it requires coordinated, shared adherence to clear legal standards governing when and how force may be used.

Whether security operations fall under public order mandates governed by IHRL, or fall into hostile contexts where IHL applies as a complement to human rights frameworks, Paraison stressed that the core guiding principle must remain unchanged: all operations must prioritize upholding the rule of law and protecting innocent civilian populations. Frontline commanders, operational planners, and intervention teams confront high-stakes tactical decisions every day, he noted, making it essential that abstract legal principles are translated into instinctive, consistent operational practices — the core goal of the workshop.

Outlining four non-negotiable pillars that all security personnel must follow when deploying armed force, Paraison made clear that arbitrary use of force has no place in Haiti’s security operations. The first pillar is legality: all actions must be carried out strictly within the bounds of national and international law. Second is necessity: force may only be used when no other alternative exists to address a given threat. Third is proportionality: the intensity of any security response must be directly calibrated to match the severity of the threat being confronted. The fourth and final pillar is precaution: all operations must be planned in advance to avoid or minimize collateral harm and injury to innocent civilians.

Paraison emphasized that the true institutional strength of Haiti’s republican security bodies — including PNH, FAd’H, and GSF — lies not in firepower alone, but in their ability to restore order while upholding exemplary respect for human rights. Contrary to arguments that legal constraints limit operational effectiveness, he noted that adherence to these standards actually boosts public trust in security institutions and reinforces the legitimacy of their work, a key factor in long-term stabilization.

Addressing participating officers from all three security bodies, Paraison called on attendees to engage fully with the workshop’s programming, which includes hands-on case studies, tactical simulations, and interactive cross-agency discussions. He urged participants to openly identify on-the-ground operational challenges, assess gaps in existing training, and develop concrete actionable proposals to update Haiti’s security doctrine and guide future operations. Attendees were selected specifically for their role as key intermediaries within their respective command structures, putting them in a position to disseminate new standards across the broader security force.

Concluding his address, Paraison expressed hope that this inter-institutional forum, established with ICRC support, will become a permanent platform for aligning operational practices and strengthening Haiti’s security sector. He closed by affirming that through shared commitment to the rule of law and professional rigor, Haiti’s security forces will succeed in restoring lasting peace and security for all Haitian citizens.