On the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, Sandra Paulemon, Minister of Planning and External Cooperation, held an important meeting on April 16, 2026, with a delegation from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), led by its President, Daniel Best, to present the Government's priorities and explore opportunities for strengthening cooperation.

This meeting reflects the Haitian Government's commitment to strengthening the coordination of external aid and building solid partnerships aligned with national priorities and dedicated to the country's sustainable development.

Minister Paulemon commended the quality and relevance of the CDB's work in Haiti. She explained that, given the realities on the ground, the Government is working to implement key mechanisms and projects aimed at combating poverty and facilitating the return of families forced to leave their homes, enabling them to regain dignified living conditions. In this context, she emphasized the importance of significant support from technical and financial partners.

Ms. Paulemon reiterated the Government's current priorities, as defined in the National Pact for Stability and the Organization of Elections, namely : security, economic and social recovery, and the organization of elections. She stressed the need to ensure close alignment of interventions with these national priorities.

For its part, the Caribbean Development Bank presented the status of its interventions in Haiti, with a total portfolio estimated at nearly $200 million, including approximately $50 million in new commitments. Daniel Best reaffirmed the CDB's commitment to Haiti and reiterated its intention to continue and expand its support through high-impact interventions.

The Bank representatives also welcomed the Government’s three priority areas and expressed their willingness to support the country in their implementation, with a view to maximizing the effectiveness of their support and contributing significantly to Haiti’s stabilization and sustainable development.

The Bank President further indicated that his institution also intends to strengthen its interventions in the areas of economic, social, and environmental resilience, as well as in developing Haiti’s productive capacities, particularly in the agricultural and energy sectors.

Minister Paulemon advocated for a strengthened and more results-oriented partnership, notably through greater access to concessional financing and grants, targeted budget support, institutional capacity building, and the establishment of faster and more flexible disbursement mechanisms.

The Bank delegation expressed its intention to hire many young Haitian professionals, particularly in the agriculture, education, and energy sectors, to strengthen national capacities and support the country's development.

Furthermore, the Minister and Bank representatives agreed to meet again in May for a detailed presentation of the projects to be implemented, the priority sectors of intervention, and the projected amounts of funding to be secured.

HL/ HaitiLibre