On innumerable occasions, most of the international community has rejected the imposition of unilateral coercive measures impeding the full realization of the economic and social development of peoples, particularly the developing countries. Cuba strongly repudiates this practice and urges the States once again to refrain from promulgating and applying any unilateral economic, financial or trade measures not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
For over 50 years, the Cuban people have been hit by the economic, commercial and financial Embargo imposed by the Government of the United States of America. The right to development in Cuba is limited by the negative effects of the Embargo; and its resulting economic damages amount to 753,688,000,000 dollars.
Even amidst the adverse conditions due to the continuing economic, commercial and financial Embargo imposed by the United States, the Cuban people remain involved in the updating of the economic and social model which they have chosen in a sovereign way, with the aim of building a sovereign, prosperous and sustainable nation. (General Debate Second Committee, 3 October 2016)
(...) despite more than 50 years of economic, commercial and financial Embargo imposed against our country, Cuba has focused all efforts to safeguard the achievements of the Revolution in terms of disaster reduction by establishing preservation of people´s life and property as the main premise, together with the willingness to continue supporting those countries affected by natural disasters selflessly and with solidarity. (Debate on Sustainable Development, 11 October 2016).
Cuba is working towards the computerization of society and the spread of Internet to all, ensuring an effective and genuine insertion of Cubans in such space. In this regard, priority of use is given to education, health, science and culture and taken as a way to boost productivity and economic growth.
All these efforts have been made with the hurdle posed by the economic, commercial and financial Embargo of the United States against Cuba for more than half a century. In the sector of communications and computing, including telecommunications, damages during the year 2015 amount to 59,208,700 dollars. (Debate on "Information and Communication Technologies for Development)
