Statement delivered by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, Anayansi Rodríguez Camejo, in the side event of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations entitled “The Challenges of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for the Fulfilling of the Promise of the UN Charter in a Polarized World”.
New York, April 24th, 2024.
Dear colleagues:
We applaud the initiative of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations to organize this significant event.
We welcome the establishment of April 24th as the "International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace," noting that this date has a special significance as it coincides with the conclusion of the 1955 Asian-African Conference, which led to the promulgation of the Bandung Principles.
This International Day, promoted at the UN General Assembly by the sister Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela during its NAM Chairmanship in the period 2016-2019, is a means to promote the values of the United Nations and reaffirms the purposes and principles enshrined in its Charter.
Dear colleagues:
In the present complex scenario, characterized by escalating tensions and renewed forms of domination and hegemony, threats to international peace and security are growing, and multilateralism is progressively weakening.
The multidimensional global crisis, aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has a greater impact on the countries of the South as a result of the prevailing unjust and unsustainable international order.
Inequalities, social exclusion and poverty have deepened. War conflicts are proliferating, unconventional wars are intensifying and the arms race is growing unchecked.
Attempts are being made to reimpose a unipolar order, ignoring international treaties and multiplying unilateral coercive measures, along with other frequent violations of the United Nations Charter and International Law, which undermine peaceful coexistence among nations.
The genocide being committed against Palestinian people in Gaza is unacceptable and must cease immediately.
Given this dire reality, we emphasize the importance and relevance of multilateralism and International Law to achieve the common goal of lasting and sustained peace through diplomacy. Now more than ever, we reaffirm the need to join efforts to strengthen multilateralism, international cooperation and solidarity, to address common challenges.
Dear colleagues:
Promoting a culture of peace, multilateralism, full respect for the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and International Law, is the way to ensure peaceful coexistence, and preserve international peace and security.
The implementation of unilateral coercive measures and the drawing up of spurious and arbitrary lists, such as that of States allegedly sponsoring terrorism, which are contrary to international law, must cease immediately.
The world is in need of solidarity, cooperation and mutual respect, not of blockades and sanctions.
There is an urgent need to undertake in-depth transformations of the United Nations that will enable us to move toward a democratic, just and equitable international order, respectful of the sovereign equality of States, for the benefit of present and future generations.
Cuba will continue to defend, resolutely and consistently, the Charter of the United Nations and International Law and will remain committed to the postulates of the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.
In strict adherence to these principles, we reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism and the preservation of international peace and security.
Thank you
(Cubaminrex)