Paris, September 4, 2024. The meeting between the Cuban Ambassador María del Carmen Herrera Caseiro and the Assistant Director General for Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO, Ms. Gabriela Ramos, provided an excellent space to discuss the progress of cooperation and Cuba's participation in the activities of the Sector.
In this context, both parties exchanged views on the challenges facing Cuba due to the tightening of the blockade imposed by the United States government and the unjust permanence of the country on the list of States allegedly sponsoring terrorism. They described Cuba's presence on this arbitrary list as "unjustified and unnecessary". The representative of the Island elaborated on the negative consequences of this situation for her country, referring to the broad international demand for Cuba's removal from the list.
On the other hand, they addressed high-priority and current issues of the UNESCO Social and Human Sciences Sector, such as the implementation of the Organization's recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, and the fight against racism and racial discrimination, in particular the activities for the 30th anniversary of the UNESCO Programme on the Routes of Enslaved People.
In this regard, the Cuban diplomat conveyed the call for the International Conference "Cuba 2024: Decade of Afro-descendants", to be held in the country next December.
The two officials agreed to describe the relations between Cuba and UNESCO as excellent, and agreed to continue strengthening these ties.