Paris, October 2024. Within the framework of her visit to Paris to participate in the event for the 30th anniversary of the UNESCO program on the Route of Enslaved People, the Vice Minister of Culture of Cuba, Lillitsy Hernández Oliva, held a fruitful exchange with the Assistant Director General for the Culture Sector, Mr. Ernesto Ottone and his team. The Ambassador of the Island to UNESCO María del Carmen Herrera Caseiro also participated.
At the meeting, the senior official of the Organization and his companions recognized Cuba's development and commitment in the areas of attention of the Sector, despite the repercussions of the blockade and the sanctions imposed against the Island. They highlighted in particular the existence of numerous sites registered as World Heritage and the presentation of new candidacies; the country's role on the Transcultura Programme, which had an unprecedented impact on the training of young people in the Caribbean and its contribution to the integration of the region; as well as the country's notable progress in the field of artistic education, which places it among the most advanced.
At the same time, they praised Cuba's contribution to UNESCO initiatives in the Sector, such as MONDIACULT and the drive to have Culture included as a Sustainable Development Goal. They also highlighted the importance of the Declaration of the Meeting of Ministers of Culture held in Havana during the Cuban Presidency of the G77 plus China.
For her part, the Vice Minister of Culture thanked UNESCO for its support in Cuba's battle against the blockade, reflecting each year in its contribution to the Secretary-General's report the impact of this policy for Cuba and cooperation with UNESCO.
She highlighted the importance of this meeting to update and exchange on topics of interest on the UNESCO Agenda in the field of Culture, referring to the organization's perspectives on the implementation of the UNESCO Framework for Cultural and Artistic Education, issued at the World Conference held in Abu Dhabi in February 2024, and conveying Cuba's willingness to share its experience in this regard. At the same time, she was interested in the topics and priorities of the MONDIACULT 2025 meeting, which would take place in Barcelona, and offered an explanation on the approval and implementation of the General Law for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage put into effect in Cuba.