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标签： Haiti

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  • Leisure : Did you know ? #32

    Leisure : Did you know ? #32

    In the latest installment of HaitiLibre’s popular twice-weekly general knowledge quiz series “Did You Know?”, readers are invited to discover a little-known geographic fact that highlights one of Asia’s most dynamic and misunderstood capital cities. The answer to this week’s trivia question confirms what climate data has long recorded: Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, officially holds the title of the coldest national capital on Earth.

    Nestled in the Tuul River valley at an elevation of 1,350 meters above sea level, Ulaanbaatar is home to nearly half of Mongolia’s total population, and faces some of the harshest winter conditions on the planet. During the coldest winter months, temperatures regularly plummet below -40°C, a climatic extreme that cements its status as the coldest capital worldwide.

    Beyond its frigid reputation, the city carries a rich layered history that shapes its unique modern identity. Founded originally as a nomadic Buddhist monastic settlement, Ulaanbaatar today blends a striking mix of urban landscapes: imposing Soviet-era architecture stands alongside gleaming contemporary skyscrapers, while traditional ger (yurt) neighborhoods still dot the city’s outer edges, preserving the nomadic roots of the Mongolian people.

    As the gateway to Mongolia’s vast, sweeping steppes, Ulaanbaatar also serves as a thriving cultural hub for the country. It hosts world-renowned natural history museums, famous for their extensive collections of dinosaur fossils unearthed from the Gobi Desert, and remains a center of Buddhist life with active historic monasteries such as the iconic Gandan Monastery. Caught between millenia-old nomadic traditions and rapid 21st-century urbanization, the Mongolian capital is a rapidly changing metropolis that has adapted to thrive despite the unforgiving Northern Hemisphere climate it calls home.

    This fun fact is pulled from the trivia question bank of Quiz.HaitiLibre, the free general knowledge platform operated by HaitiLibre that serves audiences looking to expand their knowledge across global and Haiti-focused topics. In a recent monthly update rolled out on June 1, 2026, the platform added 31 new quiz games, pushing its total library of accessible content to 150 unique games. The platform adds new content on a monthly rolling basis to keep challenges fresh for returning users.

    All of Quiz.HaitiLibre’s exclusive content is free to access, requires no user registration, and is built to suit audiences of all ages and knowledge levels. Each quiz offers three difficulty tiers: easy, intermediate, and hard, and is available in both French and English to serve a broad multilingual audience. Visitors can explore topics ranging from Haitian current affairs and culture to global geography, history, science, and more, with expert-level challenges available for users seeking a more rigorous test of their knowledge.

  • Strategic visit of the haitian PM to the base of the Gang Supression Force

    Strategic visit of the haitian PM to the base of the Gang Supression Force

    In a high-stakes move to advance the Haitian government’s nationwide campaign to reestablish public order and state sovereignty over violence-plagued areas, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé carried out a strategic working visit to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) headquarters in Tabarre on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

    The prime minister was not alone in the visit: he was joined by Vladimir Paraison, the acting director general of the Haitian National Police (PNH), for talks with a cross-institutional senior delegation that included GSF Special Representative Jack Christofides, Daniela Kroslak — Deputy Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Support Office in Haiti (BANUH) — and Major General Erdenebat Batsuuri, commander-in-chief of the FRG.

    Central to all closed-door and open discussions was a shared agreement to ramp up coordinated joint security operations across Haiti. The core priorities laid out during the talks included reestablishing long-term stable security, recapturing swathes of national territory currently controlled by armed gang factions, and consolidating the tactical and strategic gains that security forces have already secured on the ground.

    During the visit, Fils-Aimé reiterated the Haitian government’s unshakable commitment to rooting out remaining pockets of gang-related violence and insecurity. He emphasized that a top policy goal is guaranteeing unimpeded, safe movement for all Haitian citizens across every region of the country, a basic right that has been disrupted by years of gang activity.

    Beyond diplomatic and strategic discussions, the prime minister conducted an on-site inspection of multiple operations coordination rooms and ongoing infrastructure development projects at the base. A key site on his inspection itinerary was a set of new dormitories currently under construction, which are designed to accommodate incoming additional contingents that will boost the GSF’s on-the-ground intervention capacity.

    Fils-Aimé also carved out time to meet with the base’s on-site medical personnel, where he conducted a first-hand review of the healthcare and support systems in place to serve security force members deployed to frontline anti-gang operations. He used the meeting to publicly commend the professionalism, courage and relentless dedication of all security and support personnel deployed to advance Haiti’s national security goals.

    Closing out his visit, Fils-Aimé reaffirmed his personal commitment to shaping government policy and action around the on-the-ground realities facing security forces. He stressed that the administration will continue to provide full support to the GSF and allied security bodies as they carry out their critical mission, with the end goal of speeding up the full restoration of legitimate state authority across every corner of Haiti.

  • Leisure : Did you know ? #31

    Leisure : Did you know ? #31

    As of June 2026, Haiti’s leading local information platform HaitiLibre has announced the expansion of its popular free general knowledge quiz platform, QuizHaitiLibre, growing its total offering to 150 interactive multiple-choice quiz games after adding 31 new entries in its monthly June update. The 31st entry in the platform’s ongoing “Did You Know?” series shines a light on a little-discussed but foundational component of Haiti’s economy and food security: the bulk carriers that keep the country supplied with essential goods.

    Bulk carriers are a specialized class of cargo ship engineered specifically to move large volumes of unpackaged “bulk” goods across international waters. For Haiti, which relies on imports to meet the vast majority of its population’s basic food needs and construction demand, these vessels are far more than just commercial shipping assets—they are lifelines. Key staples that Haitian consumers depend on, including rice sourced from the U.S. and Asian markets, and core construction materials such as cement, all arrive in the country via bulk carriers.

    Unlike many major international ports, most Haitian docking facilities lack advanced, automated cargo-handling infrastructure. To address this gap, many bulk carriers calling on Haitian ports come pre-equipped with on-board cranes that allow them to unload cargo directly at docks that lack permanent heavy lifting equipment. Even with this adaptation, unloading bulk cargo remains a labor-intensive process that relies heavily on skilled stevedores, as well as carefully coordinated storage logistics to move goods to nearby silos and warehouses immediately after unloading.

    The efficient management of bulk carrier deliveries is not just a logistical concern—it is a critical determinant of national food security. Any extended delay in unloading a single bulk carrier can quickly ripple through local markets, triggering product shortages and sudden spikes in food and construction material prices that disproportionately impact low-income Haitian households.

    Beyond this deep dive into Haitian port logistics, QuizHaitiLibre offers audiences a wide range of engaging, accessible general knowledge content covering hundreds of topics related to Haitian life, culture, infrastructure and global affairs. Designed to accommodate all age groups and knowledge levels, every quiz on the platform is 100% free to access, requires no user registration, and offers three distinct difficulty tiers: easy, intermediate, and hard. All content is available in both French and English to serve Haiti’s diverse linguistic communities.

    The platform updates its content library with new quizzes every month, giving returning users fresh material to test their knowledge on a steady basis. Readers are invited to visit the QuizHaitiLibre platform at https://quiz.haitilibre.com/en to explore the full collection of quizzes, share the resource with family and friends, and submit feedback to the platform’s development team.

  • Hurricane Season : «Let’s prepare, before it is too late»

    Hurricane Season : «Let’s prepare, before it is too late»

    As the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season got underway on June 1, Haiti’s interim government under Prime Minister Fils-Aimé has rolled out a coordinated national preparedness strategy, urging collective action to mitigate avoidable harm from extreme weather that routinely devastates the Caribbean nation. Key cabinet departments and public disaster management agencies laid out their operational plans during a press briefing hosted at the General Directorate of Civil Protection headquarters in Clercine, marking a unified push to address longstanding climate vulnerability.

    The multi-agency effort brings together a wide range of stakeholders: beyond the prime minister’s office, participating bodies include the Ministries of the Interior, Environment, Public Works, Public Health, Economy and Agriculture, alongside technical agencies such as the Haiti Hydro-Meteorological Unit, National Risk and Disaster Management System, and National School Canteens Program.

    Leading on-the-ground pre-season interventions, Haiti’s Ministry of Public Works has already kickstarted a nationwide campaign to clear clogged gullies and river channels ahead of projected heavy rainfall events. Clearing operations are prioritizing high-risk zones in major population centers including Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien, Petit-Goâve, Léogâne, Jacmel, Les Cayes and Ouanaminthe, with supplementary drainage improvement projects underway in the capital cities of all 10 of Haiti’s administrative departments.

    Despite the aggressive proactive push, ministry officials acknowledged deep structural challenges that put communities at continued risk. Years of environmental degradation have left nearly all of Haiti’s watersheds, rivers, and ravines in compromised condition, meaning even with full mobilization, the goal of eliminating flood risk entirely is out of reach for the 2026 season. In light of this, officials emphasized that public vigilance remains a critical line of defense.

    To support emergency response and pre-season work, the ministry has deployed a fleet of 162 fully operational heavy machinery units across every region of the country, including excavators, bulldozers, graders, compactor rollers, loaders, bobcats, and transport trucks. Parallel to the clearing campaign, key subsidiary agencies under the ministry’s oversight – including the National Directorate of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DINEPA), Haiti’s Maritime and Navigation Service (SEMANAH), and the National Telecommunications Council (CONATEL) – have been directed to activate their own tailored emergency response plans.

    The ministry has also bolstered staffing and operations at Emergency Operations Centers at both the national and departmental levels, enabling real-time information sharing and rapid response coordination if a storm makes landfall. In a closing appeal to local stakeholders, officials called on mayors, municipal section coordinators, and private sector actors to mobilize available local labor, materials, and technical expertise to support preparedness efforts. Leadership stressed that the success of all hurricane season mitigation measures depends on broad collective mobilization across national authorities, international financial partners, local media, and individual Haitian citizens.

    Finally, the ministry urged the public to maintain a strong spirit of mutual solidarity and pay close attention to all official guidance and safety instructions issued throughout the hurricane season, which runs through November. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecast a below-average 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, though disaster officials warn that even one major storm can have catastrophic consequences for Haiti’s vulnerable infrastructure and population.

  • Economy : The DGI celebrates its 102 years of existence

    Economy : The DGI celebrates its 102 years of existence

    Haiti’s Directorate General of Taxes (DGI), the country’s central tax administration body founded on June 6, 1924 during the presidential administration of Louis Borno, officially celebrated its 102nd anniversary on June 8, 2026. The milestone event centered on the core theme “The DGI is modernizing to serve better”, bringing together senior government leaders, international development partners, and private sector stakeholders to reflect on the agency’s legacy and outline its roadmap for future reform.

    In her keynote address opening the ceremony, Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé reaffirmed the national government’s unwavering commitment to building a business-friendly policy environment that attracts domestic and foreign investment. He emphasized that a streamlined, transparent tax authority is a foundational pillar of this goal, highlighting the irreplaceable strategic role of robust tax collection in powering core state functions, funding public policy initiatives, and advancing national development priorities—from strengthening national security to expanding access to critical public services.

    Prime Minister Fils-Aimé also publicly commended the leadership and frontline staff of the DGI for their consistent efforts to upgrade administrative processes, noting that their work has already delivered tangible improvements for taxpayers and the state alike. He went on to restate the administration’s pledges to advance tax transparency, crack down on systemic corruption, and uphold the rights and dignity of all Haitian taxpayers.

    Serge Gabriel Collin, Haiti’s Minister of Economy and Finance, used the anniversary occasion to reaffirm his department’s full backing for the DGI’s ongoing reform and modernization agenda, which is a core component of broader public administration upgrades across the Haitian government. DGI Director General Chesnel François detailed the specific changes already underway at the agency, outlining ongoing work to accelerate full digital transformation, expand user-friendly remote tax services, and roll out new institutional management frameworks designed to build a more efficient, transparent, and taxpayer-centric tax administration.

    François also outlined key upcoming priorities aligned with the government’s broader economic strategy, including the full deployment of the new Revenue Management System (RMS), the finalization of DGI’s foundational organic law, nationwide public consultations to shape a updated national Tax Code, and the expanded rollout of digital tax declaration and electronic payment systems to reduce administrative friction for filers.

    A key highlight of the anniversary celebration was the recognition of Haiti’s top corporate taxpayers for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. During a formal award ceremony, Prime Minister Fils-Aimé, joined by Minister Collin and Director General François, presented honorary merit plaques to 25 companies honored as “major payers” for their consistent, compliant tax contributions. A full list of the top 100 largest taxpayers in Haiti for the 2024-2025 fiscal year has been made publicly available for download via the HaitiLibre documentation portal.

    Key performance data released during the event confirms that the DGI’s ongoing modernization efforts are already delivering strong fiscal results. Between October 2025 and May 2026, a total of 58 billion Haitian gourdes in tax revenue was collected, representing a nearly 10% increase in collections compared to the same 8-month period in the prior fiscal year.

    Several of Haiti’s key international development partners also participated in the anniversary event, including Expertise France, the European Union, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. All four organizations reaffirmed their ongoing support for the DGI’s modernization efforts, which align with broader international goals to strengthen Haiti’s public financial management and support inclusive economic growth.

  • Creation of an ad hoc committee responsible for launching the Public University of the West, Haiti

    Creation of an ad hoc committee responsible for launching the Public University of the West, Haiti

    In a formal step to expand public higher education access across western Haiti, the country’s Ministry of National Education has officially ordered the creation of a specialized transitional committee to oversee the launch of the new Public University of the West (Université Publique de l’Ouest, UPO), scheduled for rollout in 2026.

    Announced via a ministerial decision issued on June 10, 2026, the move follows a May 15, 2026 ministerial circular that formally established the UPO by merging three existing regional educational institutions: the Training Center for the Fundamental School (CFEF), the National School of Applied Geology (ENGA), and the National Higher School of Technology (ENST). Education Minister Vijonet Déméro emphasized the urgent need for a temporary governing body to manage the administrative, academic, and logistical groundwork required to stand up the new unified university, leading to the formalization of the ad hoc committee under the oversight of the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP).

    The seven-member committee brings together cross-sector representation from existing institutions, regional stakeholders, and ministerial leadership to ensure balanced input during the transition. Carole Berotte Joseph, a consultant in the Minister’s Office, will serve as committee president, while Michelet Clerveau, a member of the Minister’s Cabinet, will act as committee secretary. The directors of the three merging institutions will each lead academic portfolio for their respective fields: Ronald Jacques Jean of CFEF will oversee education academic affairs, Michael Saimbertil of ENGA will lead on earth sciences academic affairs, and Dieudonné Delva of ENST will handle academic affairs for technology and technical sectors. Two regional educator representatives round out the committee: Yvener Desrosiers for the Palmes Region and Edmy Victor for the Island of Gonâve. The committee is also authorized to recruit additional technical experts as needed to fulfill its mandate.

    The committee carries a clear set of core responsibilities spanning four key workstreams to prepare the UPO for full operation. On the administrative side, members will conduct a full audit of all physical assets, equipment, and human resources from the three merging institutions, then draft a set of transitional internal bylaws to govern the new university during its early phase. Academically, the task force will harmonize overlapping curricula from the predecessor institutions and validate teaching frameworks for two new planned Higher and Technical Education Centers (CEST) located on the Island of Gonâve and in the Palmes Region. Financially, the committee will develop a detailed projected budget for the university’s first full fiscal year, covering both initial setup and ongoing operating costs. Logistically, members will assess and map existing physical infrastructure to accommodate the UPO’s new regional campuses.

    The committee’s mandate is scheduled to run for four months, from June 5, 2026, through October 5, 2026, with a one-time extension permitted if the transition requires additional time. The mandate will automatically terminate once the UPO’s permanent Board of Directors and rectorate are officially appointed and installed. To ensure transparency and accountability to the ministry, the committee is required to submit monthly progress reports to the Minister’s Office, followed by a full comprehensive final report at the conclusion of its work. The ministerial decision went into effect immediately upon its publication.

    The creation of the UPO marks a key investment in expanding accessible public higher education across western Haiti, integrating existing regional training institutions into a unified public university structure that will serve both the Palmes Region and the Island of Gonâve.

  • The UN Secretary-General is expected in Haiti

    The UN Secretary-General is expected in Haiti

    United Nations Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq made a key announcement Monday, confirming that UN Secretary-General António Guterres will undertake an official solidarity visit to Haiti on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. The trip comes as the Caribbean nation grapples with an unprecedented multidimensional crisis that has pushed displacement figures to all-time highs, with nearly 1.5 million Haitians forced to leave their homes due to widespread gang-related violence.

    During the one-day visit, Guterres will prioritize direct engagement with Haitian communities that have borne the brunt of ongoing instability. Haq noted that the Secretary-General aims to witness on the ground the full scope of Haiti’s overlapping humanitarian and security emergencies, while also reviewing ongoing stabilization work led by Haitian national authorities and international allies. He is scheduled to hold direct conversations with women, men and children whose daily lives have been upended by years of escalating violence.

    The United Nations has long backed international intervention in Haiti to address its deepening crisis, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2793. This mandate includes critical logistical and operational support for the multinational Gang Suppression Force (GSF), which is tasked with cracking down on violent armed gangs that control large swathes of the country.

    Guterres’ schedule for the visit includes meetings with leading humanitarian organizations operating in Haiti, as well as a high-level discussion with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. The talks will center on advancing long-term national stability and a democratic transition, as Haiti prepares to hold general elections by the end of 2026 — a vote that is widely expected to mark a critical turning point for the country.

    En route to Haiti, Guterres will travel through the Dominican Republic, Haiti’s neighboring country that shares the island of Hispaniola. He will hold preliminary meetings with Dominican national authorities in the capital Santo Domingo before crossing into Haiti. After concluding his engagements in Port-au-Prince, the Secretary-General will return to UN Headquarters in New York on June 17, 2026.

  • ZED Airlines : Flights from Cap

    ZED Airlines : Flights from Cap

    In an official public statement issued shortly after the cancellation, ZED Airlines has confirmed that its scheduled round-trip flight connecting Cap-Haïtien, Haiti and Montreal, Canada, set to depart on Monday, June 8, 2026, was scrapped at the eleventh hour due to unforeseen new regulatory demands from Canadian border officials.

    The airline noted that all pre-departure preparations had already been completed, and the check-in process for passengers was on the verge of launching when the sudden notification arrived from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The agency introduced new administrative and operational requirements that the carrier would need to satisfy before the flight could land at Montreal’s airport.

    With only minimal advance warning of the new rules arriving just moments before the flight’s scheduled departure, ZED Airlines confirmed it was impossible to meet the updated specifications immediately. That left the carrier with no choice but to scrap the flight, with operations on the route paused until all the authorities’ demands can be fully addressed and approved.

    In a key clarification, the airline emphasized that the cancellation has no connection to any lapse or issue with its existing air operator certifications. All necessary operating authorizations for the route were already in place and fully valid at the time of the scheduled flight. The entire disruption stems exclusively from the last-minute new administrative and operational rules issued by Montreal authorities and the CBSA, and does not impact any of the operating permits ZED Airlines currently holds.

    ZED Airlines extended its deepest regret for the major inconvenience the cancellation has caused to booked passengers, and offered sincere apologies to all travelers impacted by the situation, which the carrier notes was completely outside of its control.

    Company teams are currently working in active, close coordination with Canadian and relevant authorities to resolve the outstanding issues and lock in a solution as quickly as possible. The airline remains fully committed to supporting all affected passengers, and is working to put forward reasonable alternative arrangements that will cut down on the disruption caused by the cancellation.

    The carrier thanked passengers for their understanding, patience and ongoing trust, and confirmed that it will release additional public updates as soon as a permanent solution is reached and a new rescheduled departure date can be confirmed.

  • Preparation for Brazil 2027 : Victory for Grenadières [3-1] against Equatorial Guinea (video)

    Preparation for Brazil 2027 : Victory for Grenadières [3-1] against Equatorial Guinea (video)

    On June 9, 2026, Haiti’s senior women’s national football team, the Grenadières, picked up a confidence-boosting 3-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea’s Nzalang in their final preparation friendly at Spain’s El Mauli Stadium, located in Antequera, Malaga Province. The fixture marked the second and last warm-up match for the Grenadières ahead of the final round of qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup hosted by Brazil, which will run from June 24 to July 25 next year.

    Sweden’s Pia Sundhage, who recently took the helm as head coach of the Grenadières, fielded a adjusted starting XI for the clash, making four changes from the side that defeated New Zealand 2-1 in the first warm-up fixture. In defense, Bethina Petit-Frère and Milan Pierre-Jérôme replaced Kethna Louis and Tabita Dougenie Joseph; attacker Chelsea Domond came in for Darlina Florsie L. Joseph, while midfielder Anyssa Ibrahim earned a starting spot in place of Sherly Jeudy. The full starting lineup featured goalkeeper Oceane Toussaint of Paris Saint-Germain, defenders Betina Petit-Frère (En Avant Guingamp), Claire Constant (DC Power FC), Jennyfer Limage (RC Lens), and Milan Pierre-Jérôme (UNGERN), midfielders Anyssa Ibrahim (Le Man FC) and Melchie Daëlle Dumornay (OL Lyonnes), and attackers Chelsea Domond (En Avant Guingamp), Roseline Eloissaint (FC Nantes), Nerilia Mondesir (Seattle Reign FC), and Lourdjina Étienne (FC Fleury).

    Ranked 47th in the global FIFA rankings, the Grenadières dominated the 90-minute fixture from the opening whistle against their 90th-ranked opponents. The first half saw Haiti take a commanding lead by halftime: rising star Melchie Daëlle Dumornay, popularly known by her nickname “Corventina”, broke the deadlock in the 25th minute to put Haiti up 1-0. Just five minutes later, Lourdjina Étienne converted a rebound to double the Grenadières’ lead, sending the side into the halftime break with a comfortable 2-0 advantage.

    After the interval, the Grenadières extended their lead in the 55th minute, when Étienne’s through ball set up Dumornay for her second goal of the match, putting Haiti up 3-0. Equatorial Guinea avoided a shutout in the 85th minute, when Reina Nñegue scored a late consolation goal to lock in the final 3-1 scoreline.

    Team analysts note this victory carries meaningful weight for Haiti’s preparation ahead of the final qualifying phase, which kicks off in November. The friendly allowed Sundhage and her staff to test new lineup combinations, assess the team’s current progress, and identify areas for improvement ahead of the high-stakes qualifying matches, helping the side maintain positive momentum as they continue their World Cup journey.

  • Urban security and territorial planning in Haiti

    Urban security and territorial planning in Haiti

    Against a backdrop of escalating instability driven by armed criminal groups and unregulated urban expansion, Haiti’s national and local governance stakeholders gathered this week for the 10th iteration of “Territories Thursday,” a landmark forum focused on examining how strategic land-use planning can counter rising urban insecurity across the Caribbean nation.

    The event brought together a cross-sector lineup of experts, policymakers, and international partners to unpack the deep links between haphazard urban development, criminal encroachment on national territory, and systemic governance failures that have eroded public safety. Leading opening presentations were David Telcy, an agronomist who coordinates the Quality and Methodology Unit at Haiti’s National Center for Geospatial Information (CNIGS), and Wadelène Coriolan, a computer engineer and Deputy Mayor of the commune of Gressier. Additional insights were shared by Christine Stephenson, Executive Technical Secretary of the Interministerial Committee for Land-Use Planning (CIAT), and Denoil Anténor, a trained lawyer and graduate of the École Normale Supérieure who serves as President of the National Federation of Haitian Mayors (FENAMH).

    Supplementing the domestic stakeholder perspectives were technical and evidence-based contributions from two specialized experts: anthropologist and sociologist Derinx Petit Jean, and Juan Marquez, Deputy Country Director for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The pair delivered data-backed analysis of shifting urban population dynamics and the unique security challenges that have left Haiti grappling with widespread instability.

    Leveraging geospatial maps and curated statistical datasets, panelists collectively emphasized the grave security risks that stem from unplanned, unregulated urbanization. They also drew sharp attention to how transnational criminal networks have exploited weak territorial governance to occupy and misuse Haitian land for illicit activities. According to the forum’s collective findings, these criminal encroachments do not only amplify national instability: they also undermine institutional control over territory, block inclusive local economic development, and fuel the growth of illegal markets that continue to erode quality of life for Haitian citizens.
    Speaking on behalf of the Haitian government, Secretary of State for Local Government Sharina Lochard opened the event by praising the productive collaboration between Haiti’s Ministry of the Interior and Territorial Communities (MICT) and the International Council for Territorial Development that made the forum possible. She acknowledged the extraordinary complexity of the work facing local authorities in Haiti’s current crisis context, noting that municipal and communal leaders are on the front lines of efforts to control, manage, and organize national territory amid widespread violence.

    Lochard reaffirmed the Haitian government’s core strategic priorities: restoring national security, stabilizing governance, advancing economic recovery, and moving forward with long-delayed democratic elections. She stressed that strengthening decentralized local governance is a non-negotiable prerequisite to improving land management practices and building cities that are safer, more resilient, and better organized to serve residents.

    For the event’s organizing bodies, the 10th edition of “Territories Thursday” is part of an ongoing, collective effort to advance public and institutional dialogue around the policy and planning mechanisms needed to build well-governed territories and secure urban spaces across Haiti. Closing the forum, Lochard reaffirmed the central role of intentional planning in advancing national stability, noting: “Land-use planning is a key lever for strengthening local governance and sustainably improving the living conditions of our people.”