Despite the obstacles faced by Cuba as a developing country, we remain fully committed to multilateralism. This is manifested not only in our active involvement in the works of the United Nations, but also in our political will to meet financial responsibilities.
However, such political will is hampered by the economic, financial and commercial Embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba.
Cuba, a developing country under an Embargo policy, keeps up its will to work consequently, together with the international community and the United Nations to duly prevent and address crimes against humanity”. (Informal Interactive Dialogue on the Necessity to Protect, 6 september 2016)
(...) the Embargo is still in force; it continues to cause serious damages and hardships to the Cuban people; and continues to hinder the functioning of our economy and its relations with other countries. (...) The recent examples of the economic and financial damages caused by the Embargo to Cuba and third countries are numerous. As long as this continues to happen, we will continue to present to this Assembly the draft Resolution entitled “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial Embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”.
New York, 23 October 2016. The economic, commercial and financial Embargo imposed by the United States Government against Cuba persists and continues to have profound impact on the Cuban people. This policy substantially limits Cuba’s right to development, being its principal obstacle.
The first dialogue between Cuba and the United States on disarmament and non-proliferation took place in New York on October 21, 2016.
The Cuban delegation, composed of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was led by the Head of the Department of Political Affairs of the General Division for Multilateral Affairs and International Law, Rodolfo Benitez Versón. The United States delegation, represented by State Department officials, was led by Acting Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Thomas M. Countryman.