Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cuba to the United Nations, spoke on Tuesday at the second regular session of the UNICEF Executive Board.
In his statement, the Cuban diplomat recognized UNICEF's commendable work in protecting millions of children and adolescents around the world, especially in an international context marked by conflicts, geopolitical tensions, inequality, poverty, and climate crisis. He highlighted the organization's efforts to respond to emergencies and strengthen capacities in developing countries, while stressing the need for Member States to fulfill their funding commitments and Official Development Assistance in order to ensure adequate, flexible, and predictable resources.
Ambassador Soberón highlighted the value of UNICEF's Strategic Plan for the period 2026-2029 and the importance of harmonizing statistical information on children and adolescents with national Governments, so that the organization's actions respond to the main challenges and vulnerabilities. He also reaffirmed the priority that Cuba gives to the comprehensive protection of children and adolescents, despite the intensification of the US blockade, which is the main obstacle to the country's development.
The Permanent Representative highlighted UNICEF's cooperation with Cuba in key areas such as maternal and child health, comprehensive early childhood care, violence prevention, climate resilience, and response to natural disaster. He also highlighted the upcoming seventh round of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), scheduled for November 2025 to February 2026, which will provide high-quality data for public policy design and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda.
Cuba reiterated its willingness to continue supporting UNICEF's mandate and to consolidate and expand joint cooperation for the benefit of children and adolescents.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations