Paris, 24 June 2025. The Delegation of Cuba to UNESCO played an active role in the second session of the Intergovernmental Conference of States Parties to the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education, held at the Organization’s Headquarters.
During its participation, Cuba underscored the importance of the Global Convention, in force since March 2023, as a historic step towards a global space for academic mobility based on equity and the fair recognition of qualifications, highlighting its complementarity with the 2019 Regional Convention for Latin America and the Caribbean. The delegation shared concrete progress in the region, including the formalization in Havana, in February 2024, of the CINALC network as the technical arm of the Regional Convention, as well as the development of common guidelines that promote transparency and the harmonization of systems.
Cuba reaffirmed its commitment to the implementation of both instruments, emphasizing the role of the Ministry of Higher Education, in coordination with UNESCO-IESALC, in introducing microcredentials, implementing a national academic credit system, and promoting the work of the National Network of UNESCO Chairs. It also invited Member States to participate in the 15th edition of the International Congress Universidad, to be held in Havana from 9 to 13 February 2026.
The Cuban delegation called for strengthening support to the Secretariat to promote ratifications, build institutional capacities and foster international cooperation. It also highlighted the barriers posed by the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba by the Government of the United States, which limits access to platforms and increases the cost of academic mobility.
Furthermore, it encouraged that the development of subsidiary texts on the relationship between the global and regional conventions, as well as on quality assurance, be carried out through an inclusive consultative approach and by means of mechanisms that facilitate the participation of all States Parties in these processes.
Cuba reiterated its commitment to a fairer, more inclusive and connected higher education, in the service of sustainable development and cooperation.