Statement by Ambassador Yuri A. Gala López, Chargé d´Affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Cuba to the UN, at the general debate of the Second Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent.
New York, 30 May 2023
Mr. Chair,
Cuba is a proudly mestizo nation, as are our traditions, idiosyncrasy, religiosity and popular culture. The African heritage that enriches our identity is a fundamental element of every aspect of the Cuban identity.
Glorification of hatred, xenophobia, intolerance and racist ideas are alien to the political, social and economic life of the country and are prohibited by law.
On these solid foundations, and our absolute commitment to contribute to the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action, we have continued to advance in the National Program against Racism and Racial Discrimination, approved in 2019 under the direct supervision of the President of the Republic.
This program has made it possible to identify racialized inequity gaps and to work for the complete elimination of any remaining manifestations of racism and discrimination at the social level.
The Cuban program for the International Decade for People of African Descent has also been updated.
In these efforts, in addition to the political will of the State and the Government to build an increasingly just society, the role of Cuban civil society has been fundamental. Dialogue and exchange have been maintained with organizations and citizens who have an outstanding and recognized work in anti-racist activism, including at the community level.
Cuba's anti-racist achievements and position is well known, and was the reason for my delegation's very active participation in the negotiations and the process of adopting General Assembly resolution 75/314, which established this forum.
I thank you.