Presidential Advisor Smith Augustin actively participated in the Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States/European Union (CELAC–EU), co-chaired by Colombian President Gustavo Petro and European Council President António Costa, held in Santa Marta, Colombia.

Smith Augustin reaffirmed Haiti's commitment to dialogue, security, governance, and credible elections, while calling for renewed cooperation with the European Union, focused on resilience, reconstruction, and sustainable development.

On the sidelines of the Summit, he met with the Secretary General of the OAS, Albert Ramdin, to discuss the implementation of the "Roadmap for Stability and Peace in Haiti” and the latter’s upcoming official visit scheduled for December 1st and 2nd, 2025, during which he will meet with the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), the Provisional Electoral Council, and other key stakeholders in the transition.

He also met with several regional leaders, including President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Brazil), Vice President of Colombia, Ms. Francia Márquez, Dominican Vice Minister Rubén Silié, and Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew, as well as other heads of delegations. These discussions highlighted the solidarity of regional partners and their shared commitment to supporting Haiti on its path to stability and development.

Adviser Smith Augustin, accompanied by Chancellor Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, met with the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, to strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote a new dynamic of strategic cooperation focused on training, trade, governance, and technical partnerships in sectors of common interest, all in service of national reconstruction.

He also met with Carlos Carrillo Arenas, Director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) of Colombia, to welcome the upcoming arrival of a humanitarian mission to support populations affected by Hurricane Melissa and contribute to food security.

The Summit concluded with discussions on two main themes: “Stormwatch : EU-Caribbean Partnership for Weather Forecasting, Climate Services, and Disaster Risk Management” and “Moving Towards Regional Satellite Connectivity". These discussions illustrated the shared commitment of the CELAC, CARICOM, and European Union member states to work together to address the common challenges of climate change, security, and sustainable development. The partners reaffirmed their solidarity with Haiti, emphasizing that the country's recovery is inextricably linked to the collective progress of the region.

HL/ HaitiLibre