New York, May 1st, 2023.- First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, Ana Teresita González Fraga, addressed, on behalf of Group of the 77 and China, the general debate of the 21st period of sessions of the High Level Committee on South-South Cooperation, at United Nations.
González Fraga highlighted South-South cooperation as a manifestation of solidarity among peoples and countries of the South that contributes to their national well-being, national and collective self-reliance and the attainment of internationally agreed development goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals.”.
"South-South cooperation and its agenda have to be set by countries of the South and should continue to be guided by the principles of respect for national sovereignty, national ownership and independence, equality, non-conditionality, non-interference in domestic affairs and mutual benefit", she referred.
The Cuba Deputy Minister explained that within the current context with an unprecedented international crisis, "international cooperation and global solidarity have never been more necessary than now to face the current challenges and to bring the developing countries back on track to achieve the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals".
At the same time, González Fraga reiterated the concern of G-77 + China on imposition of coercive economic measures, including unilateral sanctions, against developing countries which constitutes a major impediment to economic and social development and seriously hinders dialogue and understanding among countries.
"Such actions not only undermine the principles enshrined in the Charter of the UN and the international law but also severely threaten the freedom of trade and investment. These actions constitute major obstacles to South-South and triangular cooperation", concluded.
Cuban Permanent Mission to United Nations