Articles

Paris, 20 June. During the debates surrounding the approval of the Rules of Procedure of the Conference of Parties to the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, the Cuban Delegation emphasized the importance of ensuring the full participation of all Parties, especially in exceptional circumstances in which meetings can only be held virtually.

Cuba's argument was reinforced with a clear denunciation of the consequences of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States government against Cuba, which seriously hinders the country's access to basic technological platforms for virtual participation. "To illustrate the particular case of our country, victim of an unfair and prolonged blockade, we can share the difficulties we face in accessing platforms commonly used by other States, such as Zoom, which is regularly used even by this very Organization," the Cuban representative stated.

Paris, 18 June 2025. On the afternoon of 17 June, during an exchange with representatives of the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana — led by Anne Lemaistre — and members of the Latin American and Caribbean diplomatic corps accredited to UNESCO, the Cuban Delegation reiterated the firm commitment of the Government and of Cuban cultural and educational institutions to the implementation and development of the Transcultura Programme, which has benefited the Caribbean Small Island States, including Cuba.

Participants recognized Cuba’s contribution as both a partner and beneficiary of the programme, and emphasized the facilitating role of the Cuban Government, while acknowledging the financial constraints faced by the island as a result of U.S. policies.