On Friday, November 6, 2026, Minister of Foreign Affairs Raina Forbin met with the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Antonio Domínguez Velasco, at the organization’s headquarters in London, United Kingdom.

Accompanied by Anaïse Manuel, Haiti’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Permanent Representative to the IMO, Minister Forbin formally deposited the instruments of accession to ten international maritime conventions.

These instruments cover several key areas of international maritime governance, including navigational safety, the prevention of marine pollution, environmental protection, search and rescue at sea, and mechanisms for liability and compensation in the event of damage resulting from maritime activities.

This move marks a significant step in strengthening Haiti’s commitment to international maritime cooperation and aligning its national legal framework with international standards. It also reflects the government’s determination to foster a safer, better-regulated maritime sector that is more fully integrated into international trade.

During the discussions, the Minister requested an expansion of the IMO’s technical cooperation with Haiti. She also met with Caroline Neumann, the official responsible for Member State audits at the IMO, to review the follow-up to audit recommendations and explore the technical support available from the organization.

Accession to these international instruments represents a strategic advancement toward improving Haiti’s maritime connectivity and developing a sector that holds significant potential for trade, investment, job creation, and economic growth.

HL/ HaitiLibre