Paris, April 8, 2025. This Tuesday, during the 221st session of the UNESCO Executive Board, Cuba denounced the threats to peace and international cooperation faced by the Organization in the current global context and the effects of the U.S. government's hostile policy on the island for more than 60 years.
“In light of an increasingly dangerous and challenging international scenario, a stronger multilateral commitment is urgently required,” stated Ambassador Dulce María Buergo Rodríguez, president of the Cuban National Commission for UNESCO and representative of Cuba to the Council.
In this context, Cuba denounced the effects of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed and intensified by the government of the United States, the main obstacle to the country's development, as well as the negative impact of the inclusion of the nation in the unilateral list of States that allegedly sponsor terrorism. On the other hand, the Caribbean nation reaffirmed its solidarity with the Palestinian people, victims of more than 75 years of flagrant violations of their legitimate rights as a nation, and made an urgent appeal to reach the only possible solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: the creation of two independent states.
The Cuban representative also highlighted recent results of Cuba's cooperation with the Organization in the fields of artificial intelligence ethics, science, education, culture and information.
The Executive Council is holding its general debate this Monday and Tuesday and will be meeting with a broad agenda until April 17. Cuba participates as a member of this body, with a delegation composed of the President of the Cuban National Commission for UNESCO; Ambassador María del Carmen Herrera Caseiro, Permanent Delegate of Cuba to UNESCO, and Laura Alvarez Delgado, Third Secretary of this Delegation.
Among the main issues that the Council members will examine on this occasion are the draft Program and Budget for the period 2026-2029, the process for the nomination of the new Director-General of UNESCO, as well as the preparation of the 43rd session of the General Conference, to be held later this year in Uzbekistan.