The Ministry of the Environment gathered stakeholders from October 6 to 8, 2026, at the Karibe Convention Center in Port-au-Prince, to validate the 7th National Report on biodiversity and the Biodiversity Financing Plan 2026-2030. The objective is to define the priorities that Haiti will present at COP17, scheduled to take place in Armenia.<\/i><\/p>

Students, experts, representatives from public institutions, local authorities and universities, civil society, private sector, technical and financial partners all participated in the discussions. The process aimed to be participatory, with consultations held in several departments, including Grand’Anse, the South, Nippes, Southeast, and North. The sessions were opened by the Minister of Environment, Valéry Fils-Aimé, the Director of Biodiversity, Michelet Louis, the Director General of the ministry, Emmanuel Philippe, and the head of the Resilience Unit of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Jean Ronald Alexandre.<\/p>

Validated on October 5, 2026, the 7th National Report highlights significant advancements, notably the expansion of protected areas, which are deemed essential for the conservation of species and ecosystems. “The increase in protected areas is crucial for biodiversity conservation,” emphasizes Michelet Louis.<\/p>

However, these gains remain fragile. The Director of Biodiversity points to limited resources, insecurity, and precarious living conditions faced by certain populations. Lacking economic alternatives, vulnerable communities exert increased pressure on natural resources. The report takes this reality into account.<\/p>

Developed within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the document assesses the progress made, the obstacles encountered, and the prospects for Haitian biodiversity. It is also intended to contribute to the global evaluation of the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.<\/p>

Making Biodiversity a Lever for Development<\/strong><\/h4>

For Minister Valéry Fils-Aimé, the protection of biodiversity cannot be separated from the economic and social challenges facing the country. He advocates for an approach that places biodiversity at the heart of development policies. “Biodiversity should not be viewed solely as a heritage to protect, but also as a lever for development for Haiti,” he asserts. In this perspective, ecosystems are no longer merely spaces to preserve: they are also essential resources for agriculture, fishing, food security, the economy, and the livelihoods of communities.<\/p>

The potential is considerable. Haiti is part of the Caribbean Islands' biodiversity hotspot, the ministry reminds. The country is home to between 5,000 and 5,600 vascular plant species and over 2,000 animal species. Additionally, there are 31 biodiversity key areas, including 14 coastal or marine zones, and 14,243 hectares of mangroves. This heritage is essential for conservation, research, and nature tourism.<\/p>

A significant part of the preparation for COP17 hinges on available resources. Developed under the BIOFIN initiative, the Biodiversity Financing Plan 2026-2030 aims to define strategies for mobilizing funds at national and international levels. For Michelet Louis, the guidelines and actions already exist; their implementation depends on the ability to gather necessary resources. “The actions are in place, but we need to add the necessary resources for their implementation,” he estimates.<\/p>

The plan should support capacity building, technology transfer, ecosystem restoration, and the protection of marine and coastal biodiversity. For an island country like Haiti, this last aspect is strategic, as the marine and coastal wealth of the country is closely linked to economic activities and the livelihoods of its populations.<\/p>

What Are the Stakes for COP17?<\/strong><\/h4>

The 7th National Report and the Financing Plan will serve as the foundation for Haiti's negotiations in Armenia. Among the identified priorities are: mobilizing financial resources, strengthening national capacities, technology transfer, ecosystem restoration, and better integration of biodiversity into public policies.<\/p>

The stakes are twofold: to better articulate the country's needs in international discussions and to equip itself with tools to meet its commitments at the national level. The process benefits from the technical and financial support of the UNDP, thanks to funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).<\/p>

Finally, Michelet Louis calls on the population to participate in this effort, as biodiversity is, according to him, essential for the future of humanity. He urges them to live in harmony with nature and to avoid excessive consumption of resources. It remains to be seen how Haiti will succeed in mobilizing the necessary means to translate these commitments into concrete actions on the ground, and to reconcile, over time, biodiversity conservation, economic development, and improved living conditions.<\/p>