The Haiti Donors’ Conference

Washington, D.C.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. President, Prime Minister, Ministers and colleagues.

Canada is pleased to be here today participating in this very important conference.

As we all know, Haiti has faced many challenges over the years, but currently its greatest challenge is that of hope, both in Haiti and in the outside world.

But, I have witnessed a clear determination on the part of all, not to abandon hope, but to a greater commitment to work together so that Haiti can move forward.

In his report to the UN Secretary General, Professor Collier noted that Haiti is "achievable":

And he pointed out many key, favorable factors leading him to this conclusion.

Professor Collier's Report laid out a framework that has prompted much discussion and focused attention on the importance of a collective effort.

And that's why Canada has devoted considerable energy to this process over the past three months.

At the Ottawa technical meeting in March, the Haitian government presented donors with its priorities and a proposed Mutual Responsibility Pact.

I commend Ministers Bellerive and Dorsainvil for their leadership and responsiveness to the frank discussion, and open dialogue on their national plans and the measures needed to move Haiti's development agenda forward.

We agreed there must be clear linkages between the various sector programs and the DSNCRP.

And we all agreed that the Haitian proposals had to be results-oriented with clear performance indicators.

And Canada believes that we must be realistic and concentrate on what's possible in the short-term.

If it is economic growth, let us focus on a few select priorities that will produce real results.

At the same time, however, we cannot neglect or abandon long-term goals and the provision of basic services to the Haitian population.

To balance these endeavors, I know we can improve our chances at achieving our mutual goals.

This means greater coordination and coherence in our programming among the donor community and with the Government of Haiti.

And we need to continue the full, open and frank dialogue we are now engaged in.

We must commit to effectively sharing the load and live up to our commitments.

Let's be clear, if we as donors, don't fulfill our commitments, success is just not possible.

In keeping with our long-term engagement in Haiti, Canada pledged over $555 million in aid over 5 years.

I am proud to say that we will meet, this commitment.

But dollars are only one part, albeit an important one, of achieving success in sustainable development.

But we need to ensure that these dollars are used to make a real difference.

That means all donors should support and follow the aid effectiveness principles agreed to in Paris and in Accra.

Currently, our government is in the process of making Canada's assistance even more effective, more focused, and more accountable.

We are:

• untying our aid to make it go the extra mile.
• focusing bilateral aid on a smaller number of countries.
• putting more resources in the field, where they will have greater impact.
• and Canada has aligned our whole-of-government support with Haiti's poverty reduction strategy.

This conference allows us to step through the window of opportunity that now exists for decisive action in Haiti.

However, the window will not be open forever.

The world economic crisis brings challenges both domestically and in developing countries and we must show Haitians, and our own citizens, that we are making progress.

And so the time has come to move our collective efforts to the next level.

With effective, accountable assistance, that is sustainable, combined with mobilizing new development partners, together we can achieve real results.

And so, Canada has high expectations for the success of this conference.

More importantly, we believe it must succeed, if we are to show the Haitian people and our own citizens that their hope for Haiti is worth holding on to.

As I said, Canada has worked hard to lay a solid foundation for this conference.

But this should not be the culmination of our work; rather, I see this as the beginning of a new process-an opportunity to move forward with optimism.

Haiti has shown that it is ready.

And I congratulate the Government of Haiti and the leadership demonstrated in developing your country's priorities, and plans.

If Haiti is ready to move forward, the international community must be willing to stand by its side.

It is now up to us to come together, in a concerted effort, to seize the opportunity to show the Haitian people that the international community is ready to support their hope for a better future.

Thank you.