CUBA TOOK OFFICE AS CHAIR OF THE G 77+CHINA ON 12 JANUARY 2023.
Composed of 134 member states representing two-thirds of the United Nations membership and 80% of the world's population. G-77+China is the largest and most diverse group of multilateral consultations. The Cuban delegation present at the ceremony was headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, who stressed Cuba's commitment to consolidate the unity, presence and influence of the Group in the multilateral processes to be carried out this year.
Briefing by the President of the UN General Assembly on his priorities for the year 2023
On January 17, the Permanent Representative of Cuba to the UN, Ambassador Pedro Luis Pedroso, representing the G-77+China, addressed the briefing by the President of the 77th session of the UNGA on its priorities for the year 2023. The need to redouble efforts to ensure the full and timely implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals was highlighted
First G-77+China Ambassadors' Meeting
The first G-77+China Ambassadors' Meeting was held on 19 January 2023 in New York. In the intervention of the Permanent Representative of Cuba to the UN, Ambassador Pedro Luis Pedroso, Cuba's priorities as Chair of the Group were outlined, aimed at consolidating the unity, presence, influence and leadership of the Group in the multiple and relevant multilateral processes to be held in 2023, in particular: the SDG Summit, the Ministerial Preparatory Meeting for the Summit of the Future, the COP 28 on climate change and the III South Summit.
V International Conference "For the Balance of the World"
From January 24 to 28, 2023, the V International Conference "For the Balance of the World" was held at the Havana Convention Center. A s a resul t of the event, a D e cl ar ati o n o n th e N ew International Economic Order was issued, which included a statement of support for Cuba's Presidency of the G-77+China.
First Regular Session of the Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS
On 1 February 2023, the Permanent Representative of Cuba to the UN, Ambassador Pedro Luis Pedroso, spoke on behalf of the G-77+China at the first regular session of the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board, dedicated to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In the segment, the Cuban official called for renewed solidarity and efforts at the global level to make progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
G-77+China Education Ministers' Meeting
On 2 February 2023, the G-77+China Education Ministers' Meeting on "Science, Technology and Innovation for Quality Education was held. Educational challenges in the post pandemic context", in the context of the International Congress of Pedagogy 2023, in Havana.
The event, developed in hybrid format, was attended by representatives from 73 countries. A wide-ranging and quality debate was held with 35 speakers. In their interventions, they highlighted the importance of guaranteeing inclusive, equitable and quality education, and emphasized the efforts and commitment of governments to collaborative actions to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and ensure continuity of learning.
As a result, a ministerial declaration was adopted by consensus, which promotes the mobilization of projects, the exchange of good practices and knowledge, and the promotion of strategic alliances to face future crisis situations.
At the closing of the meeting, Cuba's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, reaffirmed that one of the priorities of the G-77+China for 2023 is to defend and promote universal access to inclusive, equitable and quality education as a human right. He also stated that, under the presidency of Cuba, all avenues are being explored to promote cooperation mechanisms based on the experiences of the South in the areas of science and innovation and cultural heritage.
Informal Consultation on the political declaration to be adopted at the SDG Summit
On behalf of the G-77+China, the third secretary of the permanent mission of Cuba to the UN, Dalia Torres Seara, intervened in the first informal consultation on the political declaration to be adopted at the SDG Summit. In this regard, the official suggested that the declaration should reflect the commitment of the Heads of State and Government to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the achievement of the SDGs, with a view to eradicating poverty and hunger as an overarching goal and achieving sustainable development. At the same time, Torres Seara expressed the need for the declaration to call for urgent, concrete, transformative and comprehensive solutions to accelerate the implementation of the Agenda and the achievement of the Goals.
UNGA and ECOSOC Special High-Level Event
On behalf of the G-77+China, Cuba presented a draft statement at the special high-level meeting on the theme: "The Doha Action Agenda as an accelerator for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda", on 8 February 2023. The draft affirmed that while the implementation of the Doha Action Agenda is an important step in the right direction, renewed global partnership, solidarity and adequate means of implementation are required in order to advance sustainable development in its three dimensions and the full implementation of the 2023 Agenda.
International Book Fair in Havana
As part of the actions undertaken by the Cuban presidency of the G-77+China, an exhibition stand was inaugurated at the 31st edition of the Havana International Book Fair on 10 February 2023. The stand featured books donated by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the G-77+China Secretariat and the South Center.
Within the framework of the Fair, a panel on the theme "The intellectual production of the South at the service of the development of our peoples" was held, with prominent intellectuals as panelists: Patricia Ariza and Aliou Sow, Ministers of Culture of Colombia and Senegal respectively; and Enrique Ubieta, director of the magazine Cuba Socialista.
Session on the UN Secretary General's Report "Our Common Agenda"
Ambassador Pedro Luis Pedroso, Permanent Representative of Cuba to the UN, spoke at t h e i n f o r m a l b r i e f i n g o n t h e Secretary-General's Report "Our Common Agenda" on 13 February 2023. As chair of the G-77+China, Pedroso stated that the top priority in the current times should be the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs. Therefore, all efforts should be dedicated to that end, with the effective participation of all delegations, particularly smaller delegations and those from developing countries.
Informal Consultation on the Roadmap for the Summit of the Future
In an informal consultation on the roadmap for the Summit of the Future, Ambassador Pedro Luis Pedroso, representing the G-77+China, reiterated the willingness to participate in a constructive spirit in the preparatory process for the Summit to be a process of open, inclusive and transparent intergovernmental negotiations, in order to forge a consensus on the major global challenges, including climate change.
Presentation of the Mid-Term Review Report of the Sendai Framework for Action
The Alternate Permanent Representative of Cuba to the UN, Ambassador Yusnier Romero Puentes, presented the Report of the Mid-Term Review of the Sendai Framework for Action: Main Findings and Conclusions, on 14 February 2023. This report reflects that official development assistance related to disaster risk reduction continues to be insufficient. It would therefore be necessary to move from disaster and disaster risk management to a more preventive approach at all levels.
On behalf of the G-77+China, the strengthening of international cooperation mechanisms, including South-South, and their interrelation with UN agencies and funds, within their respective mandates, was urged in order to substantially increase early attention to risks.
Meetings held by the Permanent Representative of Cuba to the UN
During the month of February 2023, the Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, Ambassador Pedro Luis Pedroso, held a meeting with the Administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Achim Steiner. Pedroso, in his capacity as president of the G-77+China, highlighted the Program's contribution to sustainable development and explained the Group's priorities, including the importance of the SDG Summit and preserving the 2030 Agenda. For his part, Steiner expressed his interest in participating in the Havana Summit and reaffirmed UNDP's support to our Presidency.
In a courtesy visit to the President of the 77th session of the UNGA, Mr. Csaba Kurusi, the Permanent Representative of Cuba to the UN presented the priorities of the Cuban Presidency of the G-77 and the importance of organizing all the processes corresponding to this year. At the same time, he reaffirmed his commitment to Kurusi's work at the head of the current session of the General Assembly.
Ambassador Pedro Luis Pedroso was received by the Directors of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) during his visit to Geneva. The Tanzanian Ambassador Maimuna Kibenga
Tarishi, President of the Geneva Chapter of the G-77+China, also participated in the discussion. Within the framework of the meeting, the Group's priorities for 2023 were presented and UNCTAD's willingness to contribute to our Presidency was noted.
In a meeting held by Ambassador Pedroso with Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, the willingness of this country to support the exercise of the Cuban Presidency of the Group during the current year was confirmed. The Cuban side expressed its gratitude for Vietnam's commitment in this unique multilateral year of great challenges and complex processes that demand the decisive action of the countries of the South.
As part of the efforts of the presidency of the G-77+China, a meeting was held between Pedroso and Li Junhua, Under-Secretary General of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. During the exchange, the Group reiterated its position on the SDG Summit and the need for it not to be overlapped by other processes. For his part, Junhua expressed interest in holding a briefing session with the G-77+China on the preparatory process for the Summit.
Fifth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries
The Fifth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries took place in Doha, Catar from 5 to 9 of March. Presidents and ministers from 33 African countries and 2 nations from Asia-Pacific region as well as Cuba and Haiti attended the meeting. In the position of Chairpersonship of G77 and China, Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz, Minister of Foreign Investment and Foreign Trade addressed the opening of the Ministerial Meeting on South- South Cooperation.
The Conference approved a Political Declaration to foster the fulfillment of Doha 2022 Plan of Action.
First Meeting on the preparations for the United Nations General Assembly High-level sialogue on Financing for Development
The first meeting on the preparations for the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development was held in New York on March 1st. The Cuban alternate representative before the United Nations, ambassador Yury Gala López took the floor on behalf of G 77 and China highlighting the relevance that poses for the Group to the coordination and dialogues aimed to identify actions to hasten the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Likewise, ambassador Gala expressed the urgent need to approach priority matters such as the international financial architecture reform with the purpose to reinforce the voice of developing countries in the economic decisions making international process.
2023 United Nations Water Conference
The United Nations Conference on the Midterm comprehensive review of the implementation of the International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development” was held in New York from March 22 to 24. The Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Inés Maria Chapman addressed the audience in the debate on behalf of the G 77 and China and in her national capacity, underlining that in the present international context with the multi-dimensional systemic crisis is an imperative to extend the cooperation to the developing countries with activities and programs related to water and sanitation and also with more international funding, training and technology transfer in the water sector.
First Meeting of the Handover Committee to advance in judicial and financial debates related to the loss and damages mechanism
On behalf of G 77 and China, Cuba joined as observer the First Meeting of the Handover Committee on Loss and Damages approved in the 27th Conference of the Parties of the Climate Change Convention (COP 27). A significant process to shape the Fund was initiated in this meeting that might facilitate the developing countries the fulfillment of climate related goals. During the working sessions, Cuba kept promoting the unity of developing countries in the face of COP 28 to be held in the United Arab Emirates.