As the United Nations new envoy to Haiti, former President of the United States Bill Clinton told reporters here on Monday he will be held accountable to the secretary-general and to the people of Haiti. [Xinhua]
UNITED NATIONS -- As the United Nations new envoy to Haiti, former President of the United States Bill Clinton told reporters here on Monday he will be held accountable to the secretary-general and to the people of Haiti.
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As the United Nations new envoy to Haiti, former President of the United States Bill Clinton told reporters here on Monday he will be held accountable to the secretary-general and to the people of Haiti. [Xinhua] |
"All I want to do is help the Haitians take control over their own destiny," Clinton said at a press conference with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who appointed him to the position. "It's all I have ever wanted for Haiti."
Clinton said the United Nations post, which pays him $1 per year, will primarily require him to find ways to support the government program Haiti a New Paradigm, which outlines ways to generate new jobs and enhance basic services.
He will also assist recovery efforts to "build back better" from the disastrous storms in 2008 and ramp up programs that mitigate and prevent disasters. Finally, Clinton said he will continue to encourage international private investments.
Speaking along with Clinton, Ban said while the United Nations was tasked with collecting the $353 million in pledges for Haiti into contributions, he was also encouraged by other measures such as recent legislation by the US congress that offers Haiti special trade incentives.
Haiti is the poorest country of the Western Hemisphere with an annual estimated gross domestic product of $390. A staggering 78 percent of Haitian live on less on $2 a day and 54 percent live on less than 1 dollar per day.
"Haiti is at a turning point," said Ban. "It has a real chance for stability and potential prosperity. Haiti needs and deserves our help."
In rebuilding Haiti's public works, Clinton said he would push forward clean energy development, adding that renewable energy is usually thought of as an indulgence for rich countries but it can also be an economic salvation for developing countries.
"I am very hopeful about this and I'll do my best," Clinton said.