ECOSOC Special Meeting – Haiti’s Children Cannot Wait

Date: - Location: ECOSOC Chamber, UNHQ

Watch Live on: UN Web TV, Monday, 2 December – 10 am

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) organized a special meeting on “Haiti’s Children Cannot Wait: Supporting Stability, Resilience, and Prosperity in Haiti” on 2 December 2024 at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Violence, instability, poverty and malnutrition are threatening the security, well-being and future of Haiti’s children and youth -- who comprise nearly half of the country’s population. In this context, ECOSOC brought urgent attention to the critical situation facing young people in Haiti and the Council is helping mobilize coordinated support and resources for a comprehensive response.

Hosted by the President of ECOSOC, the special meeting aimed to:

  • Bring urgent attention to the protection and humanitarian needs of children and youth in Haiti;
  • Identify actions by Member States, the United Nations system, regional and international partners to assist Haitian-led efforts to address the multifaceted challenges facing the country while prioritizing the needs of children and youth; and
  • Identify opportunities for partnerships and investments to address the root causes of Haiti’s crisis and contribute to a sustainable and resilient future for Haiti’s young people.

Video of the event

Documentation

Statements

Opening session:

Panel 1: Responding to urgent protection and humanitarian needs

 

A message and performance from UNICEF’s National Goodwill Ambassador Jean Jean Roosevelt 

Panel 2: Strengthening Haitian capacities for future generations

Closing session:

  • H.E. Mr. Antonio Rodrigue, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Haiti to the United Nations
  • Mr. Guy Ryder, Under-Secretary-General for Policy, Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG)
  • H.E. Mr. Bob Rae, President of ECOSOC

Press conference