A delegation from Haiti is participating in the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), being held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from August 17 to 28, under the theme "Restoring Land, Restoring Hope".

The United Nations Environment Programme is supporting Haiti’s participation in this major international event, which provides the country with an important platform to promote its priorities in land restoration, resilience, and sustainable development.

Speaking in plenary session on behalf of the Haitian delegation, agronomist Sony Jules emphasized three key levers for strengthening national capacities in land restoration: institutional coordination, the development of local technical skills, and the preparation of projects likely to mobilize funding.

He emphasized the need to strengthen coordination among the relevant institutions, develop expertise in mapping degraded land, agroforestry, watershed rehabilitation, and impact monitoring, while structuring a portfolio of bankable projects.

In a second plenary address, the Haitian delegate reiterated that land degradation is a major obstacle to sustainable development, with direct consequences for the environment, food security, agro-ecosystems, and the living conditions of the population. Faced with the magnitude of the challenges, Haiti reaffirmed its commitment to action, while stressing that its national resources alone will not be sufficient to meet the needs. The country therefore calls for strengthened collaboration with its technical and financial partners and for the search for equitable financing mechanisms to support sustainable solutions for land restoration.

For Haiti, restoring land also means contributing to restoring livelihoods, strengthening community resilience, and preserving the natural resources upon which their future depends.

IH/ iciHaiti