Paris, October 15, 2026. Cuba recognized the efforts to strengthen UNESCO’s capacity and expressed its support for the implementation of the UNESCO 80 Roadmap, while calling for the reform process to preserve the Organization’s intergovernmental character, the authority of its Member States, and the essential capacities of its field presence.
Speaking during the consideration of agenda item 16, concerning the implementation framework for the UNESCO 80 Roadmap, Cuba’s Ambassador to UNESCO, María del Carmen Herrera Caseiro, stressed the importance of moving towards a more effective, transparent and inclusive Organization that maintains its role as the intellectual and moral vanguard of the international system, particularly in a critical context for multilateralism.
The Cuban representative welcomed the results achieved during the first months of implementation of the initiative, particularly the efforts to strengthen UNESCO’s field presence and operational capacity, improve coordination among offices away from Headquarters, and diversify financial resource mobilization mechanisms, including partnerships with foundations and other stakeholders, always subject to the Organization’s safeguards and priorities.
She also underscored the importance of ensuring that the review of the network of offices translates into a greater capacity to respond, particularly in small island developing States (SIDS) and in contexts of crisis and emergency, without entailing the loss of existing capacities, specialized expertise or institutional presence wherever these remain necessary.
Cuba insisted that the reform process must be conducted through inclusive, transparent and effective consultations, preserving UNESCO’s intergovernmental character and the authority of its Member States. In this regard, Cuba welcomed the flexibility of the initiative and the possibility of introducing adjustments throughout its implementation.
The Ambassador also warned of the need to ensure that efforts to eliminate duplication do not lead to the weakening of the Organization’s essential capacities, and advocated safeguarding pragmatic action, which is central to the fulfillment of its mandate.
Cuba reiterated its willingness to continue participating constructively in this process, with the aim of contributing to a more effective, transparent and inclusive UNESCO that remains faithful to the principles of its Constitution.
The full statement is reproduced below:
Cuba thanks you for presenting the report on the implementation of the UNESCO 80 Roadmap. As we have consistently reiterated, we recognize and support the necessary efforts to strengthen the Organization’s capacity. In a context that is critical for multilateralism, a “UNESCO for the people” must continue to serve as the intellectual and moral vanguard of the international system envisioned by its founding Member States in 1945.
Excellencies,
After only a few months of implementation of the UNESCO 80 Roadmap, we must note that we welcome results that have had a significant impact on peoples and developing countries. In particular, we appreciate the efforts to strengthen UNESCO’s field presence and operational capacity, improve coordination among offices away from Headquarters, and diversify financial resource mobilization mechanisms, including partnerships with foundations and other stakeholders, always subject to the Organization’s safeguards and priorities.
We consider it essential that the review of the network of offices result in a greater capacity to respond, particularly in small island developing States (SIDS) and in contexts of crisis and emergency, without entailing the loss of existing capacities, specialized expertise or institutional presence wherever these remain necessary.
We trust that the current reform process will preserve UNESCO’s intergovernmental character and the authority of its Member States through inclusive, transparent and effective consultations. We highly value the fact that this initiative has been presented as a flexible process, allowing for adjustments to be introduced wherever deemed necessary at any stage along the way.
We draw attention to the ongoing need to ensure that efforts to avoid duplication do not, under any circumstances, result in the weakening of essential capacities, while safeguarding pragmatic action, which lies at the heart of our raison d’être.
Excellencies,
Cuba reiterates its willingness to continue participating constructively in this process, with the aim of contributing to a more effective, transparent and inclusive UNESCO that remains faithful to the principles of its Constitution.
Thank you very much.