The crisis in Haiti will be among the key agenda items at this month’s Organisation of American States (OAS) General Assembly in Antigua and Barbuda, Foreign Minister E.P. Chet Greene has said.

In an interview with ABS, Greene said the regional community must take “ownership” of the Haitian situation, stressing that CARICOM and the wider hemisphere cannot afford to be passive.

“Haiti is a CARICOM member. Its pain is our pain. We are committed to playing our part, even as a small island developing state,” Greene stated.

The minister revealed that Antigua and Barbuda is participating in the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, although in a “modest and symbolic” way due to limited resources.

“The fact that we’re contributing at all speaks volumes about our solidarity,” Greene said.

He added that the Assembly would be a timely opportunity to galvanise support for Haiti’s transitional leadership council, and for broader international action to stabilise the country.