New York, October 18, 2019.Cuba participated today in the general debate on Agenda item 138 of the Fifth Committee of the United Nations, "Improving the financial situation of the United Nations". In her statement, Yaima de Armas Bonchang, Second Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Cuba to the UN, refers to the difficult financial situation of the international organization, being the United States government the main responsible for it. The U.S. government owes more than one billion dollars to the Organization’s regular budget, 75% of the total debts of all Member States, of which more than 381 million are outstanding arrears.
In addition, the Cuban representative denounced the financial blackmail to which the Organization is subjected by the United States, which has a negative impact on the full compliance with the mandates agreed by the General Assembly.
In her statement, the diplomat thanked the acknowledgement received by Cuba, along with other countries, for having fulfilled all of its financial obligations to the Organization, which is an evidence of its commitment to multilateralism, and to the values and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. She also highlighted how the island faces the obstacles and sacrifices imposed by the U.S economic, commercial and financial blockade, which affects, hinders and sometimes hampers the payment of Cuban assessments to the Organization and to other international organs.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations