ECOSOC Special Meeting – Haiti’s Children Cannot Wait

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

• Webcast on UN Web TV,

Documentation

• Concept note (English – French)
• Call to Action (English - French)
• Informal summary
• Programme
• Media Advisory – Press Conference 

Statements

Opening session:

• H.E. Mr. Bob Rae, President of ECOSOC (Opening Statement)
• H.E. Mr. Philémon Yang, President of the General Assembly
• H.E. Mr. Antonio Rodrigue, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Haiti to the United Nations
• Ms. María Isabel Salvador, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH)
• Ms. Samarre Tercier Marcellin, Youth Advocate for UNICEF

Panel 1: Responding to urgent protection and humanitarian needs

• Ms. Catherine Russell, Executive Director, UNICEF 
• Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
• Ms. Wanja Kaaria, World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director in Haiti
• Ms. Clyfane Saintil, Secretary-General of the Board of Directors, Toya Foundation

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

Panel 2: Strengthening Haitian capacities for future generations

• H.E. Ms. Niola Lynn Sarah Devalis Octavius, Minister of Youth, Sports and Civic Action of Haiti
• Ms. Ulrika Richardson, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General and Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, Haiti
• Ms. Anne-Lucie Lefebvre, Country Manager for Haiti, World Bank Group
• Mr. Cliffton Sylvain, Member of the Management Board and Secretary for Communications, l'Observatoire Jeunesse Haïtienne

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

• Web link