On Friday, December 19, 2025, in a context marked by increasing vulnerability to seismic hazards and the effects of climate change, the official validation ceremony for the major revision of Haiti’s National Building Code (CNBH) was held under the leadership of the Ministry of Public Works, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior and Territorial Communities (MICT).

Twelve years after its initial version, this 2025 update stands as an essential technical safeguard against informal construction practices that increase the exposure of populations, both in urban and rural areas.

The result of a participatory process, the CNBH 2025 is the product of synergy between the National Steering Committee and high-level experts. This new version incorporates major advancements, notably a rigorous consideration of seismic and cyclonic parameters, while adapting the technical specifications to the realities of local materials.

One of the key innovations of this version lies in extending its scope to include standard buildings and traditional rural constructions, such as timber-framed buildings with stone infill, ensuring inclusive safety that leaves no area of ​​the territory untouched.

Beyond the technical aspects, the CNBH 2025 aims to be a tool for cohesion and standardization aligned with the international standards of the International Code Council (ICC). For the Ministry of Public Works, this code is not merely a collection of rules, but a common reference point enforceable against third parties. It is now up to all stakeholders in the sector—engineers, architects, craftspeople, and local authorities—to adopt it. Its rigorous implementation is the essential condition for guaranteeing sustainable reconstruction, capable of protecting the lives and investments of current and future generations.

This new version was made possible thanks to dynamic national and international cooperation. The Ministry of Public Works wishes to acknowledge the crucial support of the Coalition for Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the decisive technical assistance of Build Change, CRAterre, and the ICC. The Ministry warmly thanks the academics, technicians, and civil society whose contributions have enabled Haiti to acquire a modern and sovereign technical governance tool.

HL/ HaitiLibre