New York, February 5, 2026 – Cuba’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán reaffirmed his country’s commitment with sustainable development at the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS First Regular Session, in the segment dedicated to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
In his speech, the Ambassador highlighted that Cuba is advancing in its development based on a social model founded on universal coverage and free access to social services, and emphasized the role of the UNDP as a key partner for more than five decades in preserving these achievements.
Soberón Guzmán acknowledged the UNDP's support for Cuba, even in emergency situations, and stressed that the Country Program Document will strengthen cooperation in priority areas and in situations of this kind, in line with national and international development frameworks.
The Country Programme for Cuba is aligned with the United Nations Cooperation Framework for Sustainable Development 2026-2030, the UNDP Strategic Plan 2026-2029 and the National Socioeconomic Development Plan until 2030, and is the result of joint work between UNDP and the Cuban Government, following extensive national consultation processes.
The Permanent Representative condemned that progress towards sustainable development is seriously affected by the conditions inherent to a Small Island Developing State and, drastically, by the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States Government for 64 years, recently intensified with new measures to block the supply of fuel.
Cuba reiterated its call on the United States Government to end this illegal and inhumane policy, categorically rejected the new escalation of unilateral measures, and requested the support of the members of the Executive Board for the approval of the Country Program, aimed at contributing to the economic recovery and sustainable development of the country.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations.