On Monday, September 21, 2026, Sandra Paulemon, the Minister of Planning, presided over the Southeast Departmental Consultation Roundtable (TDC). Local authorities, heads of decentralized State services, and representatives from the private sector, civil society, and non-governmental organizations participated in the event.

This initiative aims, in particular, to bring public action closer to the realities on the ground. It reflects Minister Paulemon’s commitment to better involving departmental directorates in development planning.

In her address, the Minister highlighted the department's significant potential, particularly in the tourism, culture, and agriculture sectors. She cited, among other assets, the coastline; the beaches of Jacmel, Cayes-Jacmel, and Marigot; Bassin Bleu; architectural and artisanal heritage; the Jacmel Carnival; and the production of coffee, citrus fruits, bananas, and food crops. "Our collective responsibility is therefore to move beyond merely identifying this potential to developing it in a structured manner through appropriate investments, infrastructure, public services, and partnerships," the Minister stated.

She also provided an update on several projects included in the 2025–2026 Public Investment Program for the Southeast. Specifically, she mentioned initiatives regarding food security, the rehabilitation of the Jacmel–Marigot road, resilience and ecological transition in Belle-Anse, the construction of an Immigration and Emigration office in Jacmel, local land-use and development funds, the Southeast Public University campus, and the Southeast Health Directorate office.

Minister Paulemon called for moving beyond the mere sharing of concerns to transform this forum into a genuine instrument for dialogue, coordination, and priority-setting. Furthermore, she emphasized the role that MPCE departmental directorates must play in this new dynamic. Acting as the Ministry’s local representatives, they are tasked with better documenting economic, social, and environmental realities, supporting local stakeholders, helping to identify and develop projects, and monitoring public interventions.

Participants attended presentations on the monitoring and evaluation framework for the Public Investment Program (PIP), spatial planning and its various tools, and NGO activities in the South-East Department.

After Jacmel, the delegation will continue its tour of the Greater South region, with activities scheduled in the South, Nippes, and Grand'Anse departments, where this same dynamic of dialogue with local stakeholders will be maintained.

IH/ iciHaiti