New York, April 21, 2026 — The Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, addressed the general debate of the 13th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development, where he reiterated Cuba’s unwavering commitment to this human right and called for renewed international momentum in the context of its 40th anniversary.
The diplomat emphasized that the current international economic order constitutes a structural obstacle to the realization of the right to development and undermines the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. In this regard, he stressed the need to transform the international financial architecture, ensure the effective participation of developing countries, and guarantee equitable and unconditional access to financing.
Cuba underscored the importance of a comprehensive approach to addressing the sovereign debt crisis and called for strengthened international cooperation, including North-South, South-South, and triangular cooperation. He also highlighted the urgency of fulfilling Official Development Assistance commitments and eliminating unilateral coercive measures that undermine this right.
The Ambassador denounced the escalation of measures by the United States government against Cuba, including the tightening of the blockade and the siege on fuel supplies, which directly affect the national economy and the well-being of the population, disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable sectors.
Finally, he reaffirmed Cuba’s support for United Nations mechanisms dedicated to promoting the right to development and acknowledged the work of the Expert Mechanism. The Cuban representative called for urgent action to transform international economic relations and eliminate practices that hinder this right, reiterating the country’s commitment to its defense at both the national and international levels.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations.