In response to a request from the Haitian government, submitted by the National Heritage Preservation Institute (ISPAN), the World Heritage Centre, and ICOMOS, a joint expert mission was conducted to provide technical support to the National Historic Park in the North department of Haiti, around the section of National Road 3 (RN#3) that crosses the National Historic Park – Citadelle, Sans-Souci, Ramiers, inscribed on the World Heritage List since 1982.

This mission, composed of Ms. Rochelle Roca, Program Specialist for Latin America and the Caribbean at the UNESCO World Heritage Centre; Mr. Dominique Riou, an expert commissioned by ICOMOS; and Ms. Erika Francillon, National Officer of the Culture Program at the UNESCO Office in Haiti, consisted, on the one hand, of assessing the need for and means of improving the section of National Road 3 (RN#3) that crosses the park in order to mitigate negative impacts on the environment and heritage. Second, analyze the possibilities of building a bypass road from the RN3 to the east of the park (option 2).

The mission began with a scoping meeting with Patrick Delatour, Minister of Culture, and Eric Voli Bi, UNESCO representative in Haiti. This meeting clarified the mission's objectives, gathered the expectations of the Haitian government, and reaffirmed the importance of preserving the integrity of the site while meeting the mobility and development needs of local communities.

In the field, international experts, accompanied by ISPAN technicians, inspected the section between mile markers 28 and 60, paying particular attention to sensitive areas of the park. The bypass routes proposed in 2013 were also reexamined to assess their relevance in the current context.

At the same time, several consultation meetings were held with local communities, particularly those of Milot and Choiseul, whose habitats and activities are directly integrated within the Park's boundaries. These discussions provided a better understanding of their needs, concerns, and their role in safeguarding the site.

The mission concluded with a feedback session attended by the Minister of Culture and Communication. Highlighting the site's outstanding universal value, the experts reiterated that its preservation is not only a national duty, but also a shared responsibility for all humanity.

IH/ S/ iciHaiti