Articles

The American blockade constituted a major obstacle to the implementation of the Transcultura Program from Cuba

The American blockade constituted a major obstacle to the implementation of the Transcultura Program from Cuba

Paris, October 15 – During the 222nd session of the UNESCO Executive Council, the President of the Cuban National Commission for UNESCO, Dulce María Buergo Rodríguez, denounced that the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba represented one of the main obstacles to the implementation of the Transcultura Program from the country.
The program’s final evaluation explicitly documents how restrictions stemming from the blockade and Cuba’s inclusion on the unilateral U.S. list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism affected procurement, financial operations, access to digital technologies, and program logistics. These measures forced purchases to be made through third countries at costs above the international average and hindered maritime transport to Cuban ports, as many shipping companies refused to operate on the Island for fear of U.S. sanctions.

The 222nd Session of UNESCO’s Executive Board Approves the Final Evaluation of the Transcultura Programme

The 222nd Session of UNESCO’s Executive Board Approves the Final Evaluation of the Transcultura Programme

Paris, 15 October 2025 – During the 222nd session of UNESCO’s Executive Board, the final evaluation of the programme “Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean, and the European Union through Culture and Creativity” was approved. This flagship initiative has established itself as a true enhancer of cultural ties, regional integration, and sustainable development in the Caribbean.

During the session, the Chairperson of the Cuban National Commission for UNESCO, Dulce María Buergo Rodríguez, highlighted the significant results of the programme, implemented between 2020 and 2025 by UNESCO’s Regional Office in Havana with funding from the European Union. The programme directly benefited more than 2,700 young creators and professionals from the cultural and creative industries in 17 Caribbean countries.

Cuba’s Delegation promotes and proposes strengthening UNESCO’s new Disability Inclusion Strategy

Cuba’s Delegation promotes and proposes strengthening UNESCO’s new Disability Inclusion Strategy

Paris, 13 October 2025. – Within the framework of the 222nd session of the UNESCO Executive Board, the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Cuba took the floor during the debate on the Organization’s Disability Inclusion Strategy, reaffirming its firm commitment to the promotion and guarantee of the rights of persons with disabilities.

The intervention was delivered by Ambassador Dulce María Buergo Rodríguez, Representative of Cuba to the Executive Board and President of the Cuban National Commission for UNESCO, who conveyed, on behalf of the Cuban Delegation and the Group of Friends of Disability, chaired by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, recognition to the UNESCO Secretariat and, in particular, to the Intersectoral Task Team on the Rights and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, for the technical soundness and depth of the document presented.

Cuba Defends the Continuity of UNRWA at UNESCO and Condemns the Genocide of the Palestinian People

Cuba Defends the Continuity of UNRWA at UNESCO and Condemns the Genocide of the Palestinian People

Paris, 13 October 2025. – The Permanent Delegation of Cuba to UNESCO firmly and clearly defended on Tuesday the indispensable continuity of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and strongly condemned the genocide endured by the Palestinian people for more than two years in the Gaza Strip. The statement was delivered during the debate on agenda items of the 222nd session of the Executive Board concerning the situation in Palestine and support for UNRWA’s educational activities.

Cuba Categorically Rejects Claims of Participation in the Conflict in Ukraine. Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Cuba Categorically Rejects Claims of Participation in the Conflict in Ukraine. Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Havana, October 11, 2025.- The Government of the Republic of Cuba rejects the mendacious allegations being spread by the United States Government concerning an alleged involvement of Cuba in the military conflict in Ukraine. This is a slanderous accusation first launched in 2023 by certain media outlets without offering any evidence or substantiation of any kind, and clearly serving an assigned purpose. 

The Cuban Government categorically reaffirms that Cuba is not part of the armed conflict in Ukraine, nor does it participate with military personnel there or in any other country. 

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