Annan applauds staging of international donors’ conference in Haiti

Welcoming today’s international donors’ conference for Haiti, Secretary-General Kofi Annan called on donors to give generously so that the impoverished Caribbean nation can rebuild its economy and infrastructure.

The one-day conference, being held in the capital Port-au-Prince, follows presidential elections in February that were won by René Préval.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr. Annan said “the fact that is being organized in Port-au-Prince for the first time illustrates the firm commitment of the Haitian authorities to shape their country’s own destiny.”

Urging donors to make generous pledges, the Secretary-General said international support remains essential as Haiti tries to rebuild its economic life and reform its rule-of-law institutions.