Mr. Chairman,
We would like to thank the Secretary-General for the presentation of his report on the work of the Organization and we convey our appreciation to him for his work during these first months of his term in office.
Mr. Chairman,
Each day the United Nations Organization becomes more relevant to the peoples of the world. This multilateral institution represents the hope of millions of people who want a better world, where peace prevails and not war, goodwill and not threats, the hope for a better world and not the fear of the disappearance of the human species. It is there, where together with the relevance of this Organization, once again the importance of multilateralism is confirmed. As the Secretary-General rightly states, multilateral action is now more necessary than ever if effective solutions are to be found for combining current challenges.
Although we have important commitments that constitute the road map for achieving sustainable development, such as 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and the Addis Ababa Action-Agenda, challenges in their implementation remain at both national and international levels.
According to FAO data, about 108 million people in the world suffered from severe food insecurity in 2016, a dramatic increase compared to 80 million in 2015. In addition, about 700 million people continue to live in extreme conditions.
The impact of climate change, reflected in recurring natural disasters, not only almost entirely destroys the infrastructure of many developing countries, but also causes considerable loss of human lives.
The fact that developing countries lack the new, additional and predictable financial resources and the infrastructure and technology needed to implement these agendas at the national level is worrying.
Mr. Chairman,
The Cuban people have much to be proud of over the past six decades. To cite just a few examples, we were the first territory free of illiteracy in Latin America; recently the World Health Organization (WHO) validated Cuba as the first country of the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV / AIDS and syphilis and UNICEF declared Cuba a country free of child malnutrition.
All this has been a result of the quality of our recognized free health and education systems, where the right to life and well-being of the Cuban people is the most important thing. Our Revolution is of the people, by the people and for the people.
We are proud to belong to an area of peace, as it was proclaimed at the Second Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, held in Havana in January 2014. Cuba reiterates that the rules of coexistence based on friendship, co-operation and respect, without interference in the internal affairs of other nations, are essential in international relations among States.
Mr. Chairman,
We reiterate that the best way to prevent conflict is to eradicate its root causes. In this regard, Cuba calls for the need to redouble the efforts of the international community to eradicate poverty in all its forms and dimensions, as well as inequality, hunger and social exclusion.
Cuba reaffirms that the unwavering respect for the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and of international law continue to be the basic pillars of international security. This implies full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, the non-use or threat of use of force in international relations, non-interference in the internal affairs of States, as well as the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.
It is necessary to change the current international order, unjust and deeply unequal, to stop the implementation of unilateral coercive measures against developing countries, to end colonialism and foreign occupation.
We reaffirm that respect for the political, economic, social and cultural system which nations have freely decided for themselves contributes not only to sustainable development but also to the maintenance of international peace and security.
Cuba vigorously denounces and rejects the unjust economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America for more than 50 years. With the strength of more than 11 million Cubans and the support of the international community, we demand once again the lifting of that cruel blockade, which is a violation of international law and of the human rights of all Cubans, who have been deprived of full enjoyment of their right to development.
Mr. Chairman,
We have verified the work of the Secretary-General to reform the Organization. For the United Nations to be more democratic and effective, the General Assembly must be revitalized and strengthened and must fully exercise the powers enshrined in the Charter, without interference by the Security Council in its work and in the work of its bodies. The reform of the Security Council, in order to make it more democratic and representative, requires a change in its composition and working methods, an objective that we should not continue to postpone.
Mr. Chairman,
I conclude by expressing to you and the Secretary-General of this Organization Cuba's commitment to multilateralism and to the defense of a prosperous and peaceful world for present and future generations.
Thank you very much.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations.