Paris, 26 September 2025. — Cuba reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and strengthening inclusion across the various areas of UNESCO’s work, by actively participating in two important discussions convened in September as part of the preparations for the 222nd session of the UNESCO Executive Board.
On 17 September, the Permanent Delegation of Cuba to UNESCO took part in the information meeting organized by the Organization’s Secretariat to present the new Strategy on Disability Inclusion. Subsequently, the Delegation also participated in the meeting of the Group of Friends on Disability, chaired by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, held on the morning of 26 September.
On both occasions, the Third Secretary of the Permanent Delegation, Laura Alvarez Delgado, highlighted the importance of the issue and Cuba’s firm support for this initiative, which will be presented to the Executive Board at its 222nd session and is expected to be endorsed by the 43rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference.
The Cuban representative underlined “the considerable number of people worldwide living with some form of disability” and praised the strategy presented by the Secretariat, describing it as “a living document that we must continue to strengthen to ensure its effective implementation across all areas of UNESCO’s mandate.”
In her remarks, Álvarez Delgado stated that “this Strategy represents a true victory in recognizing the importance of addressing an essential part of the population — persons with disabilities, in all their diversity.” She added that the fact that UNESCO systematically integrates this perspective into its programmes and priorities “demonstrates the Organization’s commitment to genuine and effective inclusion.”
She also congratulated the Chair of the Group of Friends and the Secretariat for their coordination of the process, highlighting Venezuela’s leadership and the work of UNESCO’s Intersectoral Task Team on the Rights and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.
Cuba recalled that since 1959, it has prioritized the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in close cooperation with civil society.
Finally, the Cuban Delegation advocated for strengthening this strategy through sustainable resource allocation, active participation of organizations of persons with disabilities, the engagement of Category 1 and 2 Centres under UNESCO’s auspices, and improved collection of disaggregated data to measure impact and ensure accountability.
Through its leadership in this area, Cuba continues to promote inclusion, equity, and social justice, reaffirming its commitment to UNESCO’s principles and the shared goal of leaving no one behind.