Mr. President,
Cuba supports the statements on this issue delivered by the G-77 and China and by the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter.
Israel continues to deprive the Palestinian people of their right to development. The report presented is clear: the severe consequences of the prolonged and illegal Israeli occupation persist and worsen. A serious deterioration in the social and economic conditions of the Palestinian people is evident.
That people have been stripped of their sovereign right over their natural resources. Israel maintains almost total control over water. The destruction of trees, hydraulic and electrical structures prevents the provision of basic services to the population and degrades the environment.
The transfer to the Occupied Palestinian Territory of large quantities of hazardous waste produced in Israel endangers the health of the Palestinian people and the integrity of their environment and natural resources.
Mr. President,
For more than 30 years UNCTAD has been mandated to address the multifaceted development problems of the Palestinian economy. This mandate was recently reaffirmed in the Geneva Consensus.
The prolonged occupation has resulted in high levels of poverty, with very negative economic indicators. Additionally, the decline in donor contributions has a detrimental impact.
To reverse this situation, the immediate end of the illegal occupation is required, which will allow for new socio-economic opportunities for the Palestinian people.
Finally, we express our deep concern over the difficulties faced by UNCTAD personnel and staff from other United Nations bodies in carrying out their work in the Palestinian territories. Israel’s actions hinder their essential work on the ground and prevent UNCTAD from fulfilling its mandate.
Cuba reiterates its solidarity with the Palestinian people and its firm support for their legitimate rights, including their right to self-determination and to an independent and sovereign State.
Thank you very much.