Paris, January 23, 2026. – During the commemorative ceremony for the 67th anniversary of the Triumph of the Cuban Revolution, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cuba to UNESCO, María del Carmen Herrera Caseiro, delivered a speech highlighting the solid history of collaboration, common values, and shared commitment to effective multilateralism between Cuba and the Organization.
A central point of her address was the acknowledgment of UNESCO's "sustained support for the Cuban people's battle against the economic, commercial, and financial blockade," through its annual contribution to the UN Secretary-General's report. This support, she stated, "is of cardinal importance in the face of the unprecedented intensification of the US government's policy of hostility and aggression against Cuba, as well as Cuba's continued inclusion on the spurious US unilateral list of State Sponsors of Terrorism."
The ceremony, which included the presence of the Cuban Minister of Finance and Prices, Vladimir Regueiro Ale, the Cuban Ambassador to France, members of the accredited diplomatic corps, and UNESCO officials, served to reflect on a partnership dating back to 1947, the year the Island became a Member State.
Ambassador Herrera Caseiro emphasized that these relations "are historic and have been strengthening over the years," reaching an excellent level following the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959. This strengthening, she noted, is based on "the alignment of UNESCO's values and principles with the profoundly humanist social project" led by Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, whose centenary is being commemorated this year.
In her remarks, the Cuban diplomat recalled emblematic high-level meetings that have marked this bond, such as Fidel Castro's presence and speech before the UNESCO Executive Board in 1995, as well as the visits of Army General Raúl Castro Ruz in 2016 and President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez in 2018 and 2023. She also highlighted the numerous visits to Cuba by UNESCO's Directors-General and senior officials throughout history.
The Ambassador enumerated concrete achievements of this cooperation, including:
- 9 sites inscribed on the World Heritage List.
- 8 expressions declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
- 5 documents included in the Memory of the World Register.
- The sponsorship of 2 International Prizes awarded by UNESCO.
She also expressed sincere gratitude for the implementation of significant cooperation projects in Cuba and, in a special way, for the immediate assistance provided by UNESCO following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in the country's eastern region.
The Ambassador reaffirmed Cuba's commitment as an active member of the Organization and, in particular, of its Executive Board, to promote and strengthen UNESCO's mandate. In the face of attempts to erode multilateralism, she concluded, "Cuba will continue to be a firm ally of UNESCO in promoting and defending shared values for the benefit of all the world's peoples."
The event served as a reaffirmation of the bonds of friendship, solidarity, and cooperation between Cuba and UNESCO, based on a shared vision of peace, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue.
Bellow, you can find the complete intervention:
Allow me first to join the Ambassador of Cuba to France in welcoming you all and thanking you for joining us on such a meaningful date for our country, particularly in a year marking the centenary of the birth of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz.
I would also like to express my particular appreciation to my esteemed colleagues, the Ambassadors accredited to UNESCO, and to our friends from the Secretariat who are with us this evening.
Cuba became a member of UNESCO in 1947. Consequently, relations between Cuba and the Organization are longstanding and have strengthened over the years. They can be described as excellent, particularly following the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959, due to the convergence between UNESCO’s values and principles and the profoundly humanist social project undertaken by the Revolution from its very beginning under Fidel’s leadership.
Cuba maintains a strong commitment to multilateralism, peace, international cooperation, dialogue, and the promotion of sustainable development as the most appropriate means to address today’s global challenges. This position is fully aligned with the ideals and spirit promoted by UNESCO.
We also highlight the constant exchange of high-level visits. With deep pride, we recall the presence of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz and his address to UNESCO’s Executive Board in 1995. We also remember the visits of Army General Raúl Castro Ruz in 2016 and President Miguel Díaz-Canel in 2018 and 2023.
Likewise, the vast majority of UNESCO Directors-General and other senior officials have visited Cuba over the years.
Cuba is an active member within the Organization and, through its participation in various governing bodies, particularly the Executive Board, works to promote and strengthen UNESCO’s mandate.
We are proud to have nine sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, eight elements recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and five documentary collections included in the Memory of the World Register, as well as to sponsor two international prizes awarded by UNESCO.
We greatly value our cooperation with UNESCO through the implementation of important projects in Cuba and the support provided in situations of natural disasters. Allow me to extend our sincere appreciation for the immediate assistance provided by the Organization following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in the eastern region of the country.
We especially express our gratitude for UNESCO’s sustained support for the Cuban people’s struggle against the economic, commercial, and financial blockade through the Organization’s annual contribution to the United Nations Secretary-General’s report, which this year carries particular significance in light of the unprecedented intensification of the policy of hostility and aggression by the United States government against Cuba.
In the face of the major challenges of the current global context and attempts to undermine multilateralism and its institutions, Cuba will continue to be a firm ally of UNESCO in promoting and defending shared values for the benefit of all peoples of the world.
Thank you very much.