Valéry Fils-Aimé Installed as Minister of Environment: Risk Prevention and Climate Governance at the Heart of His Priorities

PORT-AU-PRINCE.— Valéry Fils-Aimé was installed, Wednesday, March 4, 2026, as head of the Ministry of Environment, during an official ceremony organized at the institution's headquarters in Port-au-Prince. The installation was carried out by the Minister of Public Health and Population, Dr. Sinal Bertrand, in the presence of government members, ministry executives, and representatives of the public administration. The new portfolio holder succeeds engineer Moïse Fils Jean-Pierre, who spent more than two decades serving the institution. The ceremony took place in a solemn atmosphere, marked by tributes to the work accomplished and the expression of expectations regarding pressing environmental challenges. In his address, Valéry Fils-Aimé thanked the head of government for the trust placed in him. He praised his predecessor's commitment and the professionalism of the ministry's executives and employees, whom he invited to maintain their efforts in protecting the environment. Structural and Urgent Challenges The new minister emphasized that environmental issues remain at the heart of the major challenges facing the country. He mentioned risks related to natural disasters, accelerated degradation of ecosystems, and the increasing effects of climate change. According to him, these issues have direct repercussions on food security, economic stability, and the living conditions of populations, particularly in the most vulnerable areas. As the hurricane season approaches, Valéry Fils-Aimé stressed the urgency of strengthening risk prevention mechanisms and improving institutional response capacity. He advocated for increased coordination among relevant public structures to anticipate disasters and limit their impacts. Governance and Climate Commitments Among his priorities, the new minister announced the strengthening of the ministry's technical and administrative capacities, the improvement of environmental governance, and the establishment of a regulatory framework more consistent with Haiti's international climate commitments. He also called for collective mobilization, believing that environmental protection cannot be the sole responsibility of the ministry but requires the involvement of all stakeholders: public institutions, local authorities, the private sector, community organizations, and international partners. In a context marked by the country's increased vulnerability to climate hazards, this assumption of office serves as a strong signal of the authorities' desire to reposition the environmental issue at the heart of public policies and national development. Jean Mapou / Le Relief