Allwitch Joly, Chief of Staff to Ralph Youri Chevry, Mayor of Port-au-Prince, officially represented the municipality at the international seminar "The Renaissance of Medellín : Lessons for a Renaissance of Port-au-Prince" organized on November 21 and 22, 2025, by the Haiti Renewal Alliance (HRA), in collaboration with experts from Colombia, Haiti, and the diaspora.

This two-day seminar, dedicated to analyzing Medellín’s transformation model and adapting it for Port-au-Prince, brought together public officials, urban development professionals, researchers, and international partners committed to the renewal of Port-au-Prince.

In his address, Joly presented :

A concise overview of the security crisis in Port-au-Prince :

He noted that the capital is operating in a highly fragile situation due to the expansion of armed groups, economic disruptions, and the mass displacement of families. This situation is severely impacting public services, mobility, and the daily lives of citizens.

The strategic role of the Mayor's office in local security :

Joly highlighted the concrete efforts undertaken by the municipality, particularly through the activation of the Port-au-Prince Municipal Security Council (CSMPAP), established by municipal decree on January 30, 2025. This municipal initiative represents an essential instrument of local governance, enabling the Mayor's office to play an operational role in a weakened national institutional context.

Prospects and proposed solutions :

He emphasized the importance of progressively securing strategic routes and traffic areas; strengthening the capabilities of the Haitian National Police (PNH) in cooperation with local organizations; Supporting youth and vulnerable communities through social programs; revitalizing the local economy by supporting small businesses and improving urban infrastructure; and fostering a broader partnership between the municipality, civil society, the private sector, the diaspora, and international actors.

He also emphasized the relevance of the Medellín model, where dialogue, social urban planning, innovation, and municipal action played a decisive role in reducing insecurity and revitalizing the city. The Port-au-Prince City Hall's participation in this seminar confirms its commitment to exploring innovative solutions, exchanging ideas with international experts, and strengthening the role of local authorities in responding to the security and urban crisis.

The City Hall thanks HRA, as well as all participants and partners, and confirms its participation in the second phase of the program. A study visit to Medellín is planned for early 2026.

During this seminar, the following speakers addressed the audience :

- Reginald Delva, Former Minister of the Interior and Territorial Communities of the Republic of Haiti, to discuss the issue of insecurity in the metropolitan area;

- Alejandro Londono, Former Advisor on Criminal Policy for the City of Medellín, Colombia, spoke about security in Medellín;

- Juan Pablo Ortega, Former Director of Ruta N, Medellín Innovation Agency, Colombia, on innovation ecosystems as drivers of peace and growth;

- Ms. Natalia Castaño, Director of Universidad EAFIT, Centro de Estudios Urbanos y Ambientales, Colombia, on the urban and environmental challenges of Medellín's renaissance;

- David Rodriguez, Director of Real Estate and Urban Management at "La Empresa de Desarrollo Urbano de Medellín" (EDU), on social urban development and Medellín's renaissance.

Image caption : Top : Medellín, Colombia; Bottom: Port-au-Prince, Haiti

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre