Havana, 10 March 2026.– Cuba strengthened its cooperation with UNESCO with the official inauguration of a new UNESCO Chair on Education and Development in Circular Economies at the University of Havana, the 16th of its kind in the country.
The initiative, established under the motto “Circular economy as a system: educating, managing and leading to regenerate,” aims to promote innovative solutions contributing to sustainable development through the articulation of academic, business, and social efforts.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the President of the Cuban National Commission for UNESCO, Dulce María Buergo Rodríguez; the Vice-Rector of the University of Havana, Maday Alonso del Rivero Antigua; and the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana, Anne Lemaistre.
During the event, it was highlighted that the new Chair will contribute to strengthening higher education, scientific research, and international academic cooperation, with a focus on building capacities for the transition towards circular economy models.
Professor Carlos Francisco Lazcano Herrera, Chairholder, emphasized that this space is envisioned as a node of connection within UNESCO networks, aimed at fostering dialogue among knowledge systems and collective innovation. He also stressed that the creation of this Chair responds to the need to train professionals capable of leading transformation processes towards sustainable models.
Its main lines of work include curriculum updating, training of trainers, preparation of specialists with a circularity approach, and supporting students in decision-making aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The inauguration took place in Room 250 of the Varona Building at the University of Havana, with the participation of academic authorities, institutional representatives, and members of the Chair’s governing team.