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.
It is regrettable that, as a result of the extremist and inflexible positions of the United States, the Commission has been compelled, for the first time, to adopt its resolutions by voting.
That country's intransigence has broken the tradition of collective effort that has long characterised this Commission, preventing the consensus that has consistently prevailed in our work.
That country’s regrettable behaviour is not only contrary to the practices and working methods of this Commission. What has occurred here is even more serious. It is yet another demonstration of the United States' intentions to weaken and render ineffective the multilateral system and its institutions.
This, and nothing else, is the reason why that country has forced us to vote today, thereby seeking to fragment and divide the members of the Commission, which had always managed to preserve unity within diversity –something our peoples so greatly need.
This is why the United States has attempted to remove from our documents all references to sustainable development, the 2030 Agenda and its goals, climate change, the negative impact of unilateral measures, and development financing, among many other issues.
These are concepts that are absolutely essential to the international community, particularly for developing countries.
Like all human endeavours, the Commission’s outcome documents can be refined. However, such improvements must be based on respect for the historical legacy we have collectively built over many years.
This Commission is not perfect, and there is always room for improvement –a goal we can all agree upon. But this is far removed from attempts to turn it into an irrelevant forum, which Cuba firmly rejects.
The United States has been unable to achieve its objectives in this session because it has faced the firm opposition of the vast majority, including Cuba.
That country should reconsider and modify its extremist and inflexible positions in light of the defeats it has suffered in today’s voting. However, we are not optimistic.
We must be prepared to face similar actions in the future, aimed at preventing consensus and weakening the multilateral system. In such a scenario, it is imperative that we all reflect on the path forward.
Cuba will always stand ready to contribute to efforts to preserve and strengthen multilateralism, for the benefit of our peoples.
Thank you.