Madam President,
We welcome the convening of this meeting and reiterate Cuba's sincere condolences on the recent natural disasters that have hardly hit several regions of the planet.
The increasingly devastating and frequent impact of natural disasters confirms that climate change is a threat to the survival of humankind and the sustainable development of peoples.
Cuba restates the urgent need to implement and follow-up important international documents in this area, such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action (Samoa Pathway), the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, under the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
We believe that the international community, particularly the developed countries, must honor their commitments and their ecological responsibility to humanity and future generations. It is imperative to increase international cooperation and technology transfer to developing countries, without which there can be no significant progress in reducing disaster risk at the global level.
It requires the commitment of all States, especially those with greater resources and levels of development, taking into account that disaster risk reduction efforts demand considerable investments and cutting-edge technologies. It is necessary to promote assistance and transfer of knowledge and technologies to countries and territories that, due to their geographic conditions and scarce resources, will face the greatest challenges associated with climate change.
We also reaffirm the need to strengthen international and regional solidarity, cooperation and integration in terms of disaster risk reduction. Cuba will continue to prioritize international collaboration in this area, as well as the exchange of experiences and good practices in preventing and facing natural disasters. The International Congress on Disasters, whose tenth edition will be held next year in Cuba, will be a good opportunity to promote initiatives in this regard.
Madam President,
Recently, our country was ravaged by Hurricane Irma, which left a trail of damage. The Cuban people and government continue to make huge recovery efforts and also count on the valuable support provided by the United Nations System (UNS) in Cuba.
I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our deep gratitude for the assistance and dissimilar heartfelt displays of affection received from several governments and sister nations.
We reaffirm Cuba's willingness to continue to provide solidarity and selfless support to disaster-struck countries in need. Proof of this is the work carried out by the Henry Reeve International Contingent of Physicians Specialized in Disaster Situations and Serious Epidemics, which was granted this year the World Public Health Award by WHO in recognition of its solidarity work in different regions of the world.
Madam President,
Given its geographic location, Cuba is exposed to the impact of natural events. Consequently, disaster risk reduction is a priority for the Cuban government and has been included in our short-, medium- and long-term development policies on the basis of a robust legal and institutional framework that allows its proper enforcement.
Cuba has further demonstrated how much can be achieved in disaster risk reduction, including in protecting citizens and assets, with limited resources and despite the blockade imposed by the United States government for more than 50 years. The results achieved have been grounded on the strong political will of the Cuban government and the active involvement of the entire people.
Thus, the strengthening of the Civil Defense System, with a prevention and education-based approach, focused on the coordinated involvement of all national authorities and actors, has been fundamental in protecting people, their assets and the socio-economic infrastructure.
In this regard, continued improvement of national and local early warning systems and the effectiveness of protection measures must be ensured.
Madam President,
Advancing disaster risk reduction has never been more urgent in implementing the 2030 Agenda. We wish to reaffirm Cuba's commitment and willingness to achieve this collective goal.
Thank you very much.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations.