Sandra Paulemon, Minister of Planning and External Cooperation, and Nicole Boni Kouassi, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Haiti, co-chaired the meeting of the Steering Committee of the United Nations Cooperation Framework on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at the Karibe Hotel. The meeting focused on the 2025 annual review and the extension of the Cooperation Framework until 2028.

Following the momentum initiated by the Government led by Prime Minister Fils-Aimé, this meeting was held in the presence of the Ministers: Sandra Paulemon (Planning), Raina Forbin (Foreign Affairs), Marc-Elie Nelson (Social Affairs), James Monazard (Trade), Pedrica Saint-Jean (Women's Affairs), and Nicole Kouassi, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Haiti; Amos Auguste, Deputy Ombudsman; and representatives of the diplomatic corps. technical and financial partners; United Nations agencies; and civil society organizations.

In her opening remarks, Sandra Paulemon noted that the country faces major challenges that necessitate coherent and coordinated public action. She emphasized that the Cooperation Framework must remain the primary instrument enabling the Government and the United Nations system to act in concert around national priorities. "The Cooperation Framework should not be seen as just another document. It constitutes the common platform through which the Government and the United Nations organize collective action aligned with national priorities," the Minister stated.

For her part, Nicole Boni Kouassi commended the Government’s leadership in guiding the strategic partnership between Haiti and the United Nations. She reiterated that the Steering Committee is the main body for joint governance of the Cooperation Framework, ensuring that United Nations support is aligned with national priorities.

She explained that the Steering Committee is the joint governance body of the Cooperation Framework. It decides, she continued, "[...] on the broad guidelines and verifies that UN support aligns with national priorities while reviewing the results achieved [...] It is a privileged space for strategic dialogue: a place where we can speak frankly about the difficulties, the necessary adjustments, and the choices to be made together."

During the meeting, Minister Paulemon emphasized that restoring security remains the Government’s top priority. She highlighted the implementation of the National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration, and Rehabilitation; the acceleration of the National Program for Stabilization and Economic, Social, and Territorial Recovery; the strengthening of essential social services; the protection of human rights; the fight against gender-based violence; the consolidation of democratic governance; and support for the democratic transition.

Throughout the meeting, stakeholders reviewed the Cooperation Framework, the results achieved, and the main lessons learned from its implementation. Discussions focused on strategic directions and the programmatic framework for the next cycle. Following the discussions, participants approved a programmatic framework aligned with the Government's priorities and adapted to the current socio-political context.

On the issue of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Minister Paulemon reaffirmed Haiti's commitment to implementing the 2030 Agenda. She reiterated that the Government is continuing its efforts to combat poverty and food insecurity, improve access to healthcare, education, clean water, and infrastructure, and strengthen women's empowerment and community resilience. However, the Minister acknowledged that SDG 16, "Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, is now the cornerstone of all other objectives. “In terms of gender equality (SDG 5), Haiti continues to make progress. Today, five women sit on the Council of Ministers, holding strategic portfolios."

At the end of the discussions, the Minister expressed her hope that the expansion of the cooperation framework would lead to an expansion of action, coherence, and results. She emphasized that this ambition will depend on the ability of stakeholders to align priorities, mobilize resources, and jointly report on progress achieved, stating, "The Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation (MPCE) will continue its coordination work with sectoral ministries, national institutions, local authorities, civil society, the private sector, the diaspora, the United Nations, and technical and financial partners."

HL/ HaitiLibre