The Organization of American States (OAS) issued an urgent call for coordinated United Nations action in support of the OAS Roadmap for Haiti, in a joint statement released on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
The initiative seeks to address the multifaceted crisis facing the Caribbean nation, which is grappling with an unprecedented institutional, security, and humanitarian emergency.
The document, titled “Towards a Haitian-Led Roadmap for Stability and Peace, with Regional and International Support,” was presented to the OAS Permanent Council on August 20 by the organization’s Secretary General. It serves as a strategic framework to guide international efforts. The signatories emphasized the principle of a “Haitian-led solution,” respecting the country’s sovereignty and in accordance with OAS Resolution AG/RES. 3039 (LV-O/25), which calls for the urgent implementation of concrete measures.
The Roadmap establishes security as a prerequisite for progress, proposing enhanced coordination among stakeholders to prevent duplication, ensure transparency, and optimize resource mobilization to facilitate humanitarian assistance and restore democratic governance through free and fair elections.
Member states acknowledged the United Nations’ central role in maintaining international peace and security, highlighting that criminal gang violence in Haiti poses a severe threat to civilian lives, national stability, and regional security, even in the absence of conventional armed conflict.
In this context, the OAS fully supports the creation of the UN Support Office for Haiti (UNSOH) and the transition of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MMAS), with backing from several Caribbean and Central American countries, into a new “Gang Suppression Force” (FSG). This force will focus on establishing a safe and stable environment, enabling Haitian authorities to restore the rule of law and dismantle criminal gangs.
The statement stresses that sustainable peace cannot rely solely on security operations. Signatories pledged to support Haitian efforts to address the root causes of the crisis, including weak democratic institutions, corruption, poverty, deep social inequalities, and limited access to education and essential public services.
The OAS reaffirmed its crucial role in strengthening institutional capacity through civilian, humanitarian, and human rights-centered approaches, with particular attention to combating sexual violence and protecting women, children, and other vulnerable groups.
The call also encourages voluntary contributions to the UN Haiti Multi-Donor Trust Fund, alongside complementary support through OAS mechanisms, to finance stabilization efforts.
“Haiti cannot wait. The time for decisive and coordinated action has come,” the OAS member states declared, affirming their commitment to work in partnership with the UN and Haiti to advance this Roadmap, placing Haitian ownership, human rights, and long-term socio-economic development at the center of the collective effort.
OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin welcomed the joint statement by member states in support of Haiti and praised the UN Security Council’s efforts to facilitate the rapid deployment of a new international force in the country.
“Across the continent, there is consensus that restoring security in Haiti is a critical and urgent first step, without which political, economic, and humanitarian support cannot succeed,” Ramdin said. “The unity and collaboration demonstrated by OAS member states, alongside the UN, CARICOM, and Haitian authorities on the Roadmap, underscore our shared goal: to help the Haitian people rebuild strong institutions, restore security, and lay the foundations for sustainable development.”
Since taking office, Ramdin noted, he has engaged in numerous discussions with leaders across the Americas and OAS member states regarding Haiti. “I can confidently say I have witnessed sincere and steadfast commitment to support the Haitian people in this critical hour. I therefore look forward to the unanimous adoption of the Haiti resolution by the UN Security Council as soon as possible,” he concluded.
