As part of its 54th Annual Meeting in Ottawa, Canada, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) will be hosting a special panel discussion that will focus on the developmental challenges now facing Haiti.

Titled “Haiti Now: Development Priorities and Interventions”, the panel discussion is scheduled for June 18, 2024. The imperative of the discussion is to explore approaches to development in the northern Caribbean country, considering its unique and complex challenges.

According to the CDB, Haiti currently has a young labour force, vibrant diaspora, fertile land, and geographic proximity to major markets, yet is stymied in efforts to exploit its economic potential.

Among the limiting factors challenging the country are: political instability, institutional weaknesses, vulnerability to natural disasters, fiscal crises, and national security. These issues combine to make it one of the most fragile states in the Latin American and Caribbean region.

The upcoming event will, therefore, provide a platform to examine innovative approaches to sustainable and inclusive development, particularly in light of the recent political crisis and its impact on socio-economic advancement.

“Haiti’s journey towards sustainable development is fraught with challenges, but it is also filled with immense potential,” CDB’s Acting President Isaac Solomon explained.

“This panel discussion aims to bring together diverse perspectives and innovative solutions to create a roadmap for the country’s future. By addressing critical issues and fostering collaboration, we can support Haiti in building resilience and achieving its development goals.”

The expert panel will include Corinne Cathala, IDB Country Representative for Haiti; David Comissiong, Barbados’ ambassador to CARICOM; Ronald Gabriel, governor, Central Bank of Haiti; and Professor Samuel Pierre, a Haitian/Canadian academic currently serving as the Department of Computer Engineering and Software Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal. CDB’s Vice President of Operations Therese Turner-Jones will moderate the discussion.

During the discussions the panellists will address the effects of political uncertainty and gang violence on development implementations and highlight measures and recommendations to improve outcomes. Additionally, they will delve into ways regional and international institutions can build social, economic, and climate resilience, and promote political stability to support the nation’s transition to emerging country status by 2030, in alignment with Haiti’s Strategic Development Plan.

Key infrastructure needs will be identified, and discussions will focus s on how institutions can strengthen efforts and collaboration to meet these needs. The panel will also explore policy design to ensure that development benefits are equitably distributed, addressing the high levels of inequality in Haiti.