On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, a roundtable discussion focused on local governance was held at the Montana Hotel, jointly organized by the Ministry of the Interior and Local Authorities (MICT) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

The event brought together several public sector figures and technical and financial partners, such as the European Union, Canada, France, the United States, the Swiss Cooperation Agency, and Taiwan, among others. Various civil society representatives also took part in these discussions, focusing on the need to strengthen local governance and boost investment in communities.

In his opening speech, Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé, Minister of the Interior, stated that "the MICT takes the issue of local governance very seriously," emphasizing the need to support and encourage municipalities. He also emphasized the driving role of the diaspora in investment. "The growing involvement of the diaspora is a true driving force for local economic development," urging all partners to leverage this transnational force.

Xavier Michon, UNDP Resident Representative in Haiti, emphasized the importance of building inclusive rural development through strong and sustainable public-private partnerships. He called for strengthened coordination between local stakeholders and international donors.

In her speech, Catherine Boucher, Head of Canadian Cooperation, indicated that it is essential for local authorities to be able to clearly express their needs and actively participate in decisions that affect them. "It is the local authorities who experience the realities on the ground. They must be heard, from the beginning to the end of projects."

The representative of the French Development Agency (AFD), Ms. Shedline Surélien, addressed the issue of Community Development Centers, emphasizing that their operation must be supported by local government budgets. An approach, she believes, that would ensure greater autonomy and sustainable resource management.

For his part, the Director General of the MICT, Pierre Canisius Guignard, drew attention to the importance of project sustainability, citing the construction of the Ouanaminthe border market as an example. "This type of infrastructure is a lever for sustainable development and deserves careful consideration."

The Ministry of the Interior is counting heavily on the commitments that will be made with the various partners at the end of these discussions. This roundtable marks an important step in strengthening commitments to decentralization and territorial recovery, in a national context striving for stability and sustainable development.

SL/ HaitiLibre