Distinguished Representatives of intergovernmental organizations, United Nations agencies, international organizations, heads of delegations, and guests,
Madam Coordinator,
In order to make a practical contribution to this debate, the Cuban delegation has identified several current challenges for International Humanitarian Law (IHL) that we consider particularly relevant in the context of protecting civil infrastructure.
For each of the identified challenges, we provide practical recommendations, which we hope will be reflected in the outcome document of the High-Level Conference scheduled for 2026, as part of the Global Initiative to support IHL.
Mr. President,
The current global financial architecture is not designed to address the urgent needs of countries of the South. For Cuba, an inclusive reform of this system is a longstanding demand, aimed at ensuring respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.
Mr. President,
I would like to express my gratitude to you, the other members of the Bureau, and the Secretariat for your efforts and professionalism. Likewise, we extend our thanks to the delegations that engaged constructively in this session.
Today, we have witnessed an unprecedented event in the 33 years of this Commission's operation.
Mr. President,
We extend a warm welcome to the delegation of Qatar. We acknowledge the commitment of this sister nation to the Universal Periodic Review and to the promotion and protection of human rights for all.
We appreciate Qatar's manifold efforts to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights as a strategic priority.
Mr. President,
We extend a warm welcome to the delegation of Ethiopia.
We welcome the fact that the country has accepted 252 out of the 316 recommendations received, which demonstrates its political will to continue advancing in the promotion and protection of all human rights.
The effectiveness of constructive dialogue is once again demonstrated, as opposed to punitive mechanisms imposed without the consent of the State concerned, which have never yielded and will never yield results.
Mr. President,
We extend cordial greetings to the delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We acknowledge the nation's commitment to the Universal Periodic Review, which demonstrates its political will to make further progress in the field of human rights, without interference in its internal affairs.
Mr. President,
We welcome the delegation of Costa Rica. We urge the country to continue advancing government policies and legal standards that contribute to the promotion and protection of all human rights of its population and to address the various national challenges.
We positively acknowledge that Costa Rica has accepted 244 recommendations out of the 299 received during this fourth cycle, including the four constructive recommendations made by the Cuban delegation.
Mr. President,
We warmly welcome the delegation of Portugal and acknowledge its long-standing commitment to the Universal Periodic Review.
We welcome the country's acceptance of the four respectful and constructive recommendations made by Cuba.
We urge them to continue strengthening the legal and institutional framework on human rights, with the aim of promoting policies related to demographics, inequalities, climate change, and digitalisation.
Mr President,
We welcome the delegation of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and acknowledge the country's commitment to the Universal Periodic Review.
This was evidenced by the quality of its presentation and the thorough preparation of its delegation during the session of the Working Group, led by the Minister of Human Rights.
