New York, 15 July 2020. The Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, in his capacity as Pro Tempore Chair of ECLAC, participated in the Segment “Regional Forums, Key Messages” of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which was held online.
Malmierca Díaz expressed that it was clear that the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda is at risk and its achievement will require greater policy interventions and the transformation of the current development models. He also stated that the current complex situation, due to the multisectoral impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, requires us to implement urgent actions to prevent lags or setbacks in achieving the Goals and their targets, and reinforce positive trends in their implementation.
Moreover, he stressed that Latin American and Caribbean countries face these challenges from a disadvantageous position, due to the poor economic performance of the region in the last years and the increasing levels of indebtedness. Specially, he highlighted that the situation is more urgent in Caribbean countries.
He noted that, in these circumstances, only a response concerted by all countries, to all levels, can curb and counter the profound effects of this pandemic that makes no distinction between borders, ideologies or levels of development.
The senior official took the opportunity to acknowledge the key and decisive contribution of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), as well as the professional and personal efforts of its Executive Secretary, Ms. Alicia Bárcena, in accompanying the region during the coronavirus pandemic and the process of implementing the 2030 Agenda.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations