Raïna Forbin Receives the Diplomatic Corps: A First Contact Viewed as Promising

Haiti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Religious Affairs, Her Excellency Raïna Forbin, on Thursday received the formal greetings of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Haiti, along with representatives of international organizations and members of the consular corps.

For many diplomats and international partners in Haiti, Forbin is not an unfamiliar figure. According to several diplomatic sources, she had already drawn attention for her follow-up on key files and her presence within certain institutional circles during her tenure as Chief of Staff to Laurent Saint-Cyr. She has also been involved in initiatives linked to the private sector and youth engagement, particularly through socio-cultural activities associated with the Haiti Tourism Association, spaces that allowed her to develop networks and visibility within economic and institutional circles.

According to images released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as those captured by our journalist present at the event, Haiti’s new chief diplomat appeared to quickly capture the attention and interest of the diplomatic assembly during this first official encounter.

The protocol ceremony provided an opportunity for heads of diplomatic missions and representatives of international institutions to present their formal courtesies to the new Foreign Minister, in keeping with diplomatic traditions surrounding the assumption of office by a country’s chief diplomat.

In her remarks, Minister Forbin expressed her gratitude to members of the diplomatic and consular corps for their presence and for their continued engagement alongside the Republic of Haiti. She reaffirmed the importance the government attaches to dialogue, mutual respect, and strengthened cooperation with all international partners.

Although many diplomats present have already experienced multiple political transitions in Haiti, the atmosphere of the meeting was described as notably cordial. Several diplomatic representatives welcomed the arrival of a woman at the helm of Haitian diplomacy, while also noting her apparent ease in engaging with international partners.

While this position represents Forbin’s first direct experience as both a diplomat and a cabinet-level minister, the current political context and the networks of influence surrounding Haiti’s ongoing transition appear to be working in her favor.

Behind the scenes of the ceremony, some diplomats quietly indicated that they were already willing to move forward on several pending dossiers with the new Foreign Minister, signaling a clear intention to maintain active diplomatic engagement with Haiti’s foreign policy leadership.

Editorial staff