Distinguished Mr. Longoria,
Distinguished Mr. Krause,
Distinguished Ambassadors and colleagues,
We are grateful for the invitation of the Department of Technical Cooperation, as Chair of ARCAL, to witness this significant moment in which the Regional Strategic Framework with the countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is ratified.
This is an example of an effort and effective cooperation between the IAEA and developing countries to ensure that nuclear science and technology are available to all in areas of high interest such as human health, food, agriculture, and industry.
In the case of CARICOM, we express the willingness to collaborate with ARCAL, where the IAEA cooperates directly with each of its 21 States parties, but this Agreement has proved to be a propitious framework for adopting a more strategic approach to the use of nuclear technology to help addressing common problems in this region of around 580 million people.
The impact of this cooperation has been significant in the training of human resources in the region, in such important areas as the care of patients with cancer and other non-transmissible diseases. It is horizontal, technical and economic cooperation aimed at promoting the use of nuclear capabilities and their applications for peaceful purposes.
Distinguished colleagues,
Cuba, as Chair of ARCAL, is committed to continue working to strengthen existing cooperation ties, create new alliances and work towards the development of peaceful nuclear applications in the region.
We take this opportunity to reiterate our support for the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme and our commitment to the Agency and its intention to promote atoms for peace and development.
I thank you so much
(Embacuba Austria)