Mr. Chairman,
The international community must take concrete and urgent measures to ensure that the resources currently earmarked for military purposes are reoriented towards activities generating economic and social development and a life of dignity for all human beings. This would contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security.
Cuba has proposed that among the concrete measures to be taken, a United Nations international fund should be set up to allocate half of the current military expenditure, with the objective of supporting the development of the Member States and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
At the same time, Cuba has stressed that Member States, in implementing the treaties and measures on disarmament and arms control, must strictly comply with environmental standards.
We also reiterate the validity of multilateralism as the basic principle of all disarmament and non-proliferation negotiations; and that the multilateral decision-making process, through the United Nations, in strict compliance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, is the only effective way of safeguarding international peace and security.
Mr. Chairman,
There is a need to promote at multilateral level possible strategies to prevent and address actual and potential threats in the field of information security.
The only way to prevent cyberspace from becoming a theater of military operations is co-operation among all States. Cuba also considers it is necessary, as another disarmament and security measure, to establish a legally binding international regulatory framework, in addition to existing international law applicable to Information and Telecommunications Technologies.
We reiterate that the hostile use of telecommunications, with the declared or concealed purpose of subverting the legal and political order of States, is a violation of internationally recognized standards on this matter and constitutes an illegal and irresponsible use of these means, whose effects can generate unfavorable tensions and situations for international peace and security and may adversely affect the integrity of the infrastructure of States.
We are seriously concerned about the covert and illegal use by individuals, organizations and States of the computer systems of other nations to attack third countries, for their potential to provoke international conflicts.
Mr. Chairman,
At the Second Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), in 2014, the Latin American and Caribbean region was proclaimed as a Zone of Peace; among other objectives, to foster friendly and cooperative relations with each other and with other nations, regardless of differences among their political, economic and social systems or levels of development, to practice tolerance and live in peace as good neighbors.
However, in violation of this Proclamation, of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, International Law and the provisions of the International Telecommunication Union, Cuba is permanently attacked from abroad.
The Cuban radio spectrum is attacked by illegal radio and television transmissions broadcasting programs specially designed to incite the overthrow of the constitutional order freely established by the Cuban people.
On average, during 2016, 1,875 hours a week were illegally broadcasted through 25 frequencies against Cuba from the territory of the United States; 1,890 hours have been broadcasted until July of this year.
Cuba once again calls for an immediate end to these aggressive and damaging policies that are incompatible with peace, security, development and cooperation among States. It also hopes that the economic, commercial and financial blockade, which has caused serious damage, with harmful effects in the field of information and communications, among other fields in the daily life of the Cuban people, will be lifted.
Thank you very much