New York, 13 February 2018. Ambassador Anayansi Rodriguez Camejo, Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, reaffirmed the primary responsibility of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security. During the general debate of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, the Cuban diplomat also reaffirmed the essential role of the General Assembly in these matters.
Rodriguez Camejo called for peacekeeping operations to be conducted in full compliance with the purposes and principles set forth in the Charter of the United Nations and to abide by the basic principles established for their development, including consent of the parties, impartiality and non-use of force except in cases of self-defence.
She further stressed that these operations cannot be an end in themselves, but a temporary measure to create a security framework for implementing a long-term strategy for sustainable economic and social development. Otherwise, she said, it will not be possible to overcome the vicious circle of new conflicts and new operations, with the high human and material costs involved.
The Cuban diplomat also called for concrete measures to ensure the safety of peacekeeping personnel and seized the occasion to extend her solidarity and respect for the governments and families of those who have lost their lives by honorably fulfilling their peace mission.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations.