Samarkand, 5 November — Cuba took the floor on Wednesday during the general policy debate of the 43rd UNESCO General Conference, which is bringing together representatives from more than 180 countries in this city until 13 November.
The President of the Cuban National Commission for UNESCO, Dulce Buergo Rodríguez, speaking on behalf of her delegation, issued an urgent call for peace, unity, cooperation and international solidarity in order to address today’s global challenges.
In this context, recalling the historic visit of the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, to UNESCO Headquarters 30 years ago, she highlighted the continued relevance of the message he delivered on that occasion, which she recalled with full conviction: “The alternative is becoming increasingly evident: either we all save ourselves, or we all sink—rich and poor alike.”
At a time when the defense and strengthening of multilateralism is more urgent than ever, the work of UNESCO has acquired even greater relevance, a fact acknowledged by the majority of participating delegations.
In this regard, the Cuban delegate stated: “The world needs UNESCO. Its moral and intellectual authority is essential to build a new world order that guarantees the right to development, sovereign equality, and the participation and representation of developing countries in global policymaking, and that ensures the full enjoyment of all human rights for all. A new order without blockades or unilateral coercive measures. One that guarantees peace and the mechanisms for financing development.”
In this context, she once again raised Cuba’s voice to strongly denounce Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people and reaffirmed the urgency of a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the conflict, based on the creation of two States, enabling the Palestinian people to fully exercise their right to self-determination.
She also denounced hostile actions by the United States in the Caribbean Sea and reaffirmed the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, in the face of any attempt at imperial domination in the region.
Referring to the situation of her country, which has faced for more than 60 years a cruel economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States, she denounced this policy as a fundamental obstacle to Cuba’s development, a situation further aggravated by Cuba’s inclusion on the unilateral list of alleged State sponsors of terrorism. This, she noted, has translated into greater challenges in addressing the country’s complex economic situation, now further worsened by the impact of Hurricane Melissa in the eastern region of the country.
In this context, she recalled the importance of addressing the special needs of Small Island Developing States, whose capacities are constantly tested by their vulnerability to climate-related events such as this one. She took the opportunity to express gratitude for the expressions of solidarity and support received, including the assistance already arriving in Cuba from various countries.
With specific reference to UNESCO, she stated that “Cuba is proud of its historic relationship with the Organization,” which is approaching 80 years, and highlighted actions and programmes implemented in recent years in the fields of education, science, culture and communication. In this regard, she underscored the Transcultura Programme, the application of the methodology for assessing readiness in Artificial Intelligence, educational projects on the General History of Africa and the Slave Route Programme, capacity-building workshops in Biosphere Reserves, Global Geoparks and hydrological programmes, as well as initiatives related to creative cities, among others.
In closing, she reaffirmed Cuba’s optimism, strength and commitment, despite the difficulties, to continue contributing jointly and in solidarity to the construction of a better world for all.