New York  - A United Nations Security Council delegation is to visit Haiti next week to evaluate UN contributions to development and security, Costa Rican Ambassador Jorge Urdina said Friday.

The visit by the nine-member delegation led by Urdina, which is to start Wednesday, follows a first-hand assessment by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and former US president Bill Clinton of conditions in the one of the poorest nations in the Caribbean.

Ban and Clinton will arrive in Port-au-Prince Monday for discussions with the Haiti government on issues ranging from economic recovery to security.

The 15-nation council is scheduled to renew the mandate of its peacekeeping operation in Haiti, which currently comprises more than 10,000 military and civilian personnel. The mission was sent in June 2004 to restore law and order and to assist Port-au-Prince in building democratic institutions.

"Haiti faces challenges well known to the international community," Urdina told reporters. "But the most important thing is development in a country where resources are scarce."

UN spokeswoman Marie Okabe said, "The presence of the secretary general and president Clinton will bring a strong message of hope that Haiti is still 'winnable'."

"The visit builds on the secretary general's continuing work with President Rene Preval to identify an action plan to achieve economic security for the people of Haiti," the UN said.

"The plan focuses on the generation of employment opportunities, food security, reforestation and the provision of basic services, including health care." dpa