SECRETARY-GENERAL’S INVITATION TO FORMER UNITED STATES PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON

TO VISIT HAITI WILL DELIVER STRONG MESSAGE THAT COUNTRY STILL ‘WINNABLE’

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General recently invited former United States President Clinton to participate in a visit to Haiti.  This decision is based on the attention devoted by President Clinton to Haiti while in the White House, his service as the United Nations Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, and most recently on his Call to Action on Haiti at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in September 2008.  The visit builds on the Secretary-General’s continuing work with President René Préval to identify an action plan to achieve economic security for the people of Haiti.  The plan focuses on the generation of employment opportunities, food security, reforestation and the provision of basic services, including health care. 

The presence of the Secretary-General and President Clinton will bring a strong message of hope that Haiti is still “winnable”.  The trip will help to focus attention on the importance for new partnerships and new efforts to assist the people and Government of Haiti as they continue to “build back better” from recent storm damage and create a more stable and prosperous future for the children of Haiti.

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For information media • not an official record