Haiti Accedes to Ten International Maritime Conventions at IMO Headquarters
Foreign Minister Raina Forbin deposited the instruments of accession in London, strengthening Haiti's maritime legal framework.
On Friday, November 6, 2026, Haiti's Minister of Foreign Affairs Raina Forbin formally deposited the instruments of accession to ten international maritime conventions at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, according to haitilibre.com. Forbin met with IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Antonio Domínguez Velasco and was accompanied by Anaïse Manuel, Haiti's Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Permanent Representative to the IMO. The conventions cover several 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 for damage resulting from maritime activities. The report said the move aligns Haiti's national legal framework with international standards and reflects the government's aim to foster a safer, better-regulated maritime sector more fully integrated into international trade. During the discussions, Forbin requested an expansion of the IMO's technical cooperation with Haiti. She also met with Caroline Neumann, the official responsible for Member State audits, to review the follow-up to audit recommendations and explore available technical support. According to the outlet, accession to these instruments represents a strategic step toward improving Haiti's maritime connectivity and developing a sector with potential for trade, investment, job creation and economic growth.