Abu Dhabi, November 6, 2019. Ambassador Jorge León Cruz, Head of the Delegation of Cuba to the 18th General Conference of UNIDO, took part in the general debate where he denounced that the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the Government of the United States of America against Cuba for almost sixty years is the most unjust, severe and prolonged unilateral sanctions system that has been applied against any state. The blockade constitutes the main obstacle to the development of all the country's potentialities and represents a brake for the implementation of both the National Economic and Social Development Plan of the country, as well as the 2030 Agenda and its Objectives.
The Cuban diplomat in his speech stressed that the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted today marks an important milestone for UNIDO; reiterates our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals; reaffirms our commitment to the Organization, as a specialized agency of the United Nations that has the mandate to promote international industrial cooperation and inclusive and sustainable industrial development; and, in addition, it addresses an issue of extraordinary relevance: the urgency for states to refrain from promulgating and unilaterally applying economic, financial or commercial measures that are not compatible with international law and the Charter of the United Nations, measures that prevent the full achievement of economic and social development, particularly in developing countries ...
He pointed out the importance of the projects executed through the Trust Fund for Latin America and the Caribbean, which allows the implementation of South-South Cooperation initiatives, for which we seek the Organization's support in mobilizing resources for said Fund, with in order to guarantee its continuity…
He pointed out that the industrial development of Cuba has the support of UNIDO through the implementation of the 2016-2020 Country Program Framework, which is fully articulated with the priorities established in the National Economic and Social Development Plan until 2030 and confirmed that we have been able to appreciate the work of the Organization in fulfilling its mandate before the 2030 Agenda.
He denounced that the use of unilateral coercive measures constitutes a violation of International Law and the Charter of the United Nations, as they are used as an unconventional weapon of war to force changes in the policies of other states. These measures have been shown to have a negative impact on the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development goals as long as they limit trade, investment and cooperation, with direct effects on industrial development.
The head of the Cuban delegation highlighted UNIDO's efforts to harmonize its strategic framework, programs and activities with the 2030 Agenda and move towards Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development must necessarily complement the commitment of its Member States and pointed out that cooperation International is and will continue to be one of the pillars to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
He concluded his intervention stating that the United Nations System is going through a time of reforms, it is time to make UNIDO the organization we need, tailored to the people and their development needs. Let's not forget that UNIDO is all of us.