New York, 14 July 2026. During the General Debate of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), Cuba’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, reaffirmed Cuba’s commitment to implementing the 2030 Agenda and warned that the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains threatened by an unjust international economic order, the failure to fulfill commitments on financing and technology transfer, and the imposition of unilateral coercive measures against developing countries, five years before the deadline agreed upon by the international community.
Ambassador Soberón emphasized that, despite the limitations imposed by the U.S. economic, commercial, and financial blockade, Cuba continues to promote public policies aimed at sustainable development, with an emphasis on expanding access to safe drinking water and sanitation, modernizing water infrastructure, developing renewable energy sources, strengthening energy sovereignty, as well as promoting science, innovation, biotechnology, territorial development, and adaptation to climate change.
In his remarks, he denounced that the unprecedented intensification of the blockade has significantly exacerbated the challenges to achieving the SDGs. He noted that this policy caused losses exceeding $8,083 million between March 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026, and explained that the energy blockade imposed on Cuba limits access to fuels, technologies, and investments, affecting the operation of hospitals, schools, water supply systems, industries, and other essential services for the population. He also warned of the human impact, reflected—among other indicators—in a surgical waiting list exceeding 100,000 patients, including 12,000 children, and in the difficulties in ensuring the energy stability required by thousands of patients who depend on hemodialysis treatments.
The Permanent Representative reiterated that the 2030 Agenda’s principle of “leaving no one behind” is incompatible with the imposition of unilateral coercive measures that collectively punish entire peoples. He reaffirmed that Cuba will continue working toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and argued that only the strengthening of multilateralism, respect for the sovereignty of States, genuine international cooperation, and the lifting of unilateral coercive measures will allow progress toward truly sustainable development for all.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations