President,

China welcomes the Council's adoption of the resolution extending the mandate of the sanctions regime on Haiti for one year. We recognize the efforts of the co-penholders and would like to take this opportunity to thank the Sanctions Committee and the Panel of Experts for their work over the past year.

The Security Council's sanctions regime targeting Haitian gangs is an important tool for curbing gang-related violence and crime and improving the security situation in Haiti. With the efforts of China and other Council members, the sanctions regime has continued to develop and improve since its establishment and has now evolved into a relatively comprehensive institutional framework. At the same time, it should be recognized that the sanctions regime itself cannot automatically improve the security situation in Haiti. Member States must take concrete actions to ensure that the sanctions measures are effectively implemented.

The situation in Haiti remains grave as we speak. As indicated in several UN reports, Haitian gangs continue to obtain large quantities of weapons and ammunition from abroad, posing a serious threat to the security of both the Haitian people and international forces. The resolution just adopted expresses grave concern over the continued influx of illicit weapons and once again makes a clear call for the full and effective implementation of the arms embargo. We urge Member States, especially the main source country of illicit weapons and ammunition entering Haiti, to take urgent and decisive measures to combat arms trafficking at its source. We support the Sanctions Committee and the Panel of Experts in continuing their work to monitor implementation. We will also work closely with fellow Council members to continue advancing the sanctions listing process on the basis of comprehensive and objective facts and thorough discussions, thereby creating a strong deterrent against criminal gangs.

President,

The sanctions regime is only one of the tools for addressing Haiti's multidimensional crises. Ultimately, overcoming Haiti's predicament depends on the country's own political will and concrete efforts. All political parties and factions in Haiti must demonstrate a sense of responsibility, strengthen unity, and effectively advance a political process that is “Haitian-led and Haitian-owned.” The Haitian authorities must genuinely assume primary responsibility for maintaining security and strengthening governance, combating corruption and impunity, and eliminating the conditions that allow violence to flourish. Together with the international community, China will continue to support the Haitian people in finding the right path out of the crisis at an early date.

Thank you, President.