On Thursday at the initiative of the UN, Canada and Jamaica, a high-level summit was held on financing for development in the era of the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. At the invitation of the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres Jovenel Moïse participated in this summit from which we reproduce the main extracts

Statement by President Moïse :

"

Prime Minister of Canada,

Prime Minister of Jamaica,

Mr. Secretary General of the United Nations,

Their Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Heads of State and Government,

Distinguished Representatives of international financial institutions,

Distinguished participants in your ranks and qualities,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Allow me, first and foremost, to offer my deepest sympathies to all the countries and populations affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

[...] The states of the world are facing an exceptional health crisis which will have profound human, social and economic impacts. The economic and financial consequences of Covid-19, however, are likely to be even more dire for developing countries, including small island states, and the least developed countries.

The scale of this crisis requires concerted global action. It calls for better targeted and more effective solidarity for the benefit of the most vulnerable peoples.

It must lead us to an adjustment of the system of International Governance which is much more focused on human well-being. Seventy-five years later, this Global Governance as it stands today does not respond in its entirety to the challenges linked to the effectiveness of cooperation, to the economic, financial and social problems of developing countries.

Scientific progress, technological prowess, the promotion of gender equity and climate change require this global governance to be fairer, more humane, and more egalitarian. States should be able to have stable monetary regimes to fight unemployment and to develop social protection systems adapted to current developments.

While thanking and congratulating the bilateral and multilateral donors for their precious help to my country, I would like to request from you more flexibility in the conditions of funding of this emergency. We count very much on your support in our relentless fight against corruption.

[...] This meeting is an opportunity for me to inform the international community that, despite our limited resources, we adopted a series of measures very early to limit the spread of the coronavirus in Haiti.

The state of health emergency was thus decreed in the Council of Ministers and, on the whole of the Haitian territory, the Government ensured the promotion of the barrier measures, demanded the wearing of the protective mask, prohibited the movements of crowd, closed borders, nurseries, schools and universities, open centers for the care of people tested positive for Covid-19, etc...

Indeed, the pandemic is already generating significant socio-economic impacts. In Haiti, all areas of activity are already badly affected.

The Haitian State plans to provide socio-financial support to the affected sectors in order to help them recover. My administration also provides support for education professionals and schools and universities.

At the same time, like so many other countries in the Caribbean, Haiti must prepare for the hurricane season that begins on June 1st. We must therefore address the urgency of consolidating the civil defense and internal relief system of our countries, as well as the need for increased cooperation in this area.

In this regard, I would like to reiterate the plea for access to concessional financing for the benefit of developing States like Haiti, victims of the disastrous effects of climate change. Especially in this period of humanitarian crisis.

[...]

Let me conclude by reiterating my determination not to give up in the face of the immense challenges facing my country, in particular to organize democratic elections for the renewal of our democratic institutions. I undertake to take all the necessary measures to continue and lead to the reforms necessary for the well-being and the emancipation of the Haitian people.

I already invite all partners and friends of Haiti to join us in taking action and meeting these colossal challenges together. I assure you for my part that the Republic of Haiti will continue to fulfill its international commitments, so that at regional and global level, the answers are in line with the expectations of our peoples.

Thank you."

HL/ HaitiLibre