On 30 May, Cuba's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, delivered a speech at the First Preparatory Meeting on the WSIS+20 Global Review. This event was held at the UN headquarters in New York as part of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) global review process.
During his speech, he highlighted the ongoing and intensifying digital divide, urging the WSIS+20 outcomes to encompass concrete commitments regarding technology transfer, capacity building, and financial assistance for developing nations. He stressed the need to eliminate structural barriers that limit equitable access to ICTs; he denounced the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures, particularly those affecting digital infrastructures, as these are contrary to the spirit of the WSIS.
Soberón Guzmán emphasized that the Global Digital Compact does not replace the WSIS agreements, proposing that both processes be harmonized without duplicating structures. He warned of the risks of creating new forums that would fragment efforts and overload countries of the South, advocating instead for the strengthening of existing mechanisms such as those established by the Tunis Agenda, as well as for the Commission on Science and Technology for Development to play a stronger role.
Finally, he reiterated that the UN General Assembly should continue to oversee the overall review of the WSIS due to its inclusive nature. He added that the review process should be transparent, participatory, and led by States. Cuba expressed its willingness to collaborate with all delegations in order to build a fair, inclusive and genuinely development-oriented digital future.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations