At UN, Pakistan calls for 'unity of purpose' to rescue Haiti from multidimensional turmoil

UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jul, 2026) Haiti, the strife-torn Caribbean island nation, needs "unity of purpose" to move forward, Pakistan told the UN Security Council.

"Long-term stability of Haiti, requires a holistic and responsive Haitian-led and owned process, underpinned by dialogue and cooperation, backed by well-coordinated and executed international and regional support," Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told the 15-member Council.

He was speaking in the Council's discussion on how worsening violence is colliding with a humanitarian crisis, as well as plans to restore security and hold election in Haiti, which is awash in gang violence, scarred by past foreign interventions and long paralyzed politically.

Briefing the Security Council, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), said, “[Haiti’s] transition stands at a critical moment.

“Success depends on security, political engagement, and humanitarian action reinforcing each other,” Massieu said.

But security operations alone will not produce lasting peace, he stressed.

The international community’s engagement in Haiti is longstanding. From 2004 to 2017, the UN deployed its Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), which was succeeded by an Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).

However, the country continued to be plagued by violence.

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In October 2023, the Council authorized the deployment of a Multinational Security Support — largely compose of Kenyan troops — which officially transitioned to a Gang Suppression Force (GSF) through the adoption of Council resolution 2793 (2025) last September.

In his remarks, the Pakistan envoy underscored the imperative need for political stability.

"We welcome the Haitian authorities’ focus on improving the security situation, with a view to holding of elections; We hope that all political actors will work in unison, to ensure the organization of elections in an agreed time frame."

Ambassador Asim Ahmad hoped that the arrangements put in place by Security Council resolution 2793, including the GSF supported by UNSOH will help create necessary space for the Haitian Security institutions, more importantly the National Police, to take over the long-term security responsibilities in the country.

Noting that the humanitarian situation remains dire with children and women facing the brunt, he said association of children with gangs is a central challenge, hoping that the Haitian authorities would continue to take lead in formulating a strategy best suited to the country's conditions.

The Pakistani envoy also called for effective regional and international efforts to implement 2653 Sanctions regime would curb the illicit arms flow into the country and disrupt the ability of gangs to perpetrate violence.