Cuba denounced today at Unesco, through the voice of its Minister of Education, Naima Ariatne Trujillo, the blockade imposed by the United States and considered it a fundamental impediment to its development.
We are grateful for Unesco's support to counteract the impact of this unjust policy. Its contribution has come hand in hand with timely and responsible cooperation in all the areas of competence of the organization, she said when speaking at the General Policy Debate of the 42nd General Conference.
The Minister took advantage of the multilateral forum to recognize the international community for its overwhelming support at the UN General Assembly for a resolution that calls on Washington to end its economic, commercial and financial siege of more than six decades.
A week ago, 187 UN member states voted in favor of the initiative, marking the 31st time since 1992 that the UN's main deliberative body has endorsed a similar text.
Trujillo condemned that for so many decades a unilateral punishment is imposed on an entire nation.
She also rejected the unilateral coercive measures suffered by other peoples and reiterated the urgency of making a reality the call of Unesco, and in particular of its director general, Audrey Azoulay, to put international dialogue, cooperation and solidarity before political differences and conflicts.
Accompanied by Cuba's ambassador to the organization, Yahima Esquivel, the head of the Cuban delegation to the 42nd General Conference ratified her country's firm commitment to multilateralism and respect for the United Nations Charter and international law.
This will has guided Cuba's actions since its pro tempore presidency of the Group of 77 and China this year and has been evidenced through the various initiatives developed in the fields of science, communication, education and culture, she said.
In this regard, he highlighted forums held in Havana, such as the one held in February by the Ministers of Education, in May by the Ministers of Culture and in July by Ministers and high authorities of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.
Of particular relevance was the Summit of Heads of State and/or Government of the Group of 77 and China on "The current challenges of development: the role of Science, Technology and Innovation", held recently in the Cuban capital, he added.
In connection with that event, he recalled that a declaration was adopted recognizing the opportunity offered by science, technology and innovation for the full enjoyment of all human rights by all people, including the right to development.