TOPIC III. Report of the Director General
Madam President, H.E. Ms. Faouzia Mebarki (Algeria)
First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your election as President of the 46th session of the Industrial Development Board of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and I extend my congratulations to the rest of the Board.
The Cuban delegation endorses the statements of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries, as well as the Group of 77+China.
I reiterate my warmest welcome to the State of Palestine for its accession as a full member of UNIDO. I would also like to express the support of my delegation for Palestine to be added without delay to the "A" list of Member States, as requested and in accordance with the procedures of the Organization. We are therefore pleased that agreement has been reached to hold the Special Session on Friday, 30 November (2018), with the facilities and solemnity of such an important session.
Madam President, I am pleased to greet and congratulate the Director-General, H.E. Mr. Li Yong, on the presentation of UNIDO's Annual Report 2017, which clearly, amusingly and succinctly reflects the achievements of the Organization during the past year.
A significant number of activities have been developed; high-level events; country partnership programmes (CPPs) have been expanded and new country programmes have been subscribed.
In the case of Cuba, we see tangible outcomes in the execution of the first three projects which are part of UNIDO's Country Programme for Cuba, which is fully articulated with the national priorities, included in the bases of our National Economic and Social Development Plan until 2030.
I would like to mention that Cuba's development strategy is hampered by the unjust and criminal blockade imposed by the United States government for almost six decades. This has not prevented the island from showing significant achievements in its economic and social development, thanks to national efforts and regional and international cooperation. We thank both UNIDO and the absolute majority of the States represented here for their support of Cuba.
We reaffirm our firm commitment to South-South cooperation as a complement to, and not a substitute for North-South cooperation. It is also crucial to strengthen inclusive regional and global cooperation schemes based on solidarity and mutual respect.
I would like to highlight the positive experience of the Trust Fund for Latin America and the Caribbean within the framework of UNIDO and, in this regard, the interest of the region in relaunching and strengthening it. This Fund represents an effective tool to promote Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development.
The challenge of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDOs) is a global issue.
We acknowledge UNIDO's efforts and contribution to the implementation of the SDOs, particularly Goal 9 and other industry-related objectives.
The Annex to the Director-General's Report contains quantitative data on the SDOs indicators and the integrated outcomes and performance framework. Generally speaking, most of the indicators show better results than in the past.
Acknowledging the encouraging results in many areas of the implementation of 2030 Agenda does not deny the existence of impediments to achieve sustainable development, in particular poverty, inequalities, large external debts and reduced levels of international cooperation.
It is vital to reiterate our commitment to the implementation of 2030 Agenda and the fulfilment of the SDOs, taking into account the priorities we give to the reduction and eventual eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions, together with the promotion of regional integration processes and the search for concerted solutions to the challenges we face.
Cuba, as a member of the Industrial Development Board and also of UNIDO's Programme and Budget Committee, reiterates its redoubled commitment to the Organization and its readiness to support the commendable work towards inclusive and sustainable industrial development in our countries, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and 2030 Agenda.
Our actions must respond to the urgent needs of peoples and large disadvantaged majorities.
Thank you very much
(Embacuba Austria)