New York, 27 February 2019. The Deputy Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations and Chargé d'Affaires a.i., Ambassador Ana Silvia Rodríguez Abascal, presided over the Thirty-third session of the Committee of the Whole of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), held at the UN headquarters in New York. Cuba currently holds the presidency of ECLAC.
In her statement, the representative of the island referred to the multiple and growing global and regional challenges, which emphasize the need for greater cooperation and the strengthening of the multilateral framework, since national actions are not sufficient to achieve the goals in the areas of poverty eradication, capacity and infrastructure development, financing, technology and trade, to strengthen global financial governance; and to develop actions to combat the effects of climate change, among other issues.
Rodríguez Abascal stressed that inequality continues to be a predominant feature in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, including those with high economic growth. It is therefore necessary to increase investment in social services and expand economic opportunities, to ensure sustained, inclusive and egalitarian growth, she added.
She explained that the principles of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, are still valid in Latin America; as well as the call on the United Nations system for differentiated attention to the specific development needs of middle-income countries.
The diplomat concluded her statement by calling on the members of ECLAC to continue working together to achieve a new world order based on justice, equity and peace.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations