Abel Prieto denounces the effects of the blockade and the implementation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act in Cuba, at an event at the United Nations.

New York, 21 May 2019. The prominent Cuban intellectual Abel Prieto, participated today in the Panel: "Culture and Education, the foundations of sustainability" at the "High-Level Event on Culture and Sustainable Development", held at the United Nations.

In this scenario, the current President of the José Martí Cultural Society and Director of the Office of the José Martí Program pointed out that the event addresses such transcendental issues, especially given the particular historic juncture that humanity is experiencing, in the midst of an ethical, cultural and ecological crisis of incalculable proportions.

Prieto made reference to the importance that Cuba attaches to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, having created a mechanism for its implementation, with the Ministry of Economy and Planning as the lead body. The strategic focus of the National Plan for Cuba’s Economic and Social Development through 2030 is in line with the SDGs. Many of the SDGs are contained in the new Constitution, which was widely discussed with the people and approved by more than 86% of the voters on February 24, with a participation of over 90%, he added.

The outstanding intellectual denounced that the main obstacle faced by the Caribbean country to sustainable development, is the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States for nearly 60 years, which prevents us from accessing the leading international financial institutions and maintains a fierce persecution of our transactions. This policy of economic suffocation and harassment, condemned at the UN for 27 consecutive years by an overwhelming majority of countries, has intentionally caused the Cuban people ongoing  suffering and deprivation, and is now being reinforced by the implementation postponed hitherto of Chapter III of the Helms-Burton Act, he assured.

Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations