Co-Chairs,
The Cuban delegation associates itself with the statement by Algeria on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Cuba considers that the question of the Revitalization of the General Assembly is a priority. During the seventy-second session we constructively and systematically participated in the negotiations of resolution A/RES/72/313 adopted by consensus.
As stated in the letter from both co-chairs, this resolution introduced new elements on which work should be done; one of them is the review of a potential concept and scope of guidelines on how to conduct election campaigns by Member States.
These guidelines cannot become an obstacle to the exercise of the right of any sovereign State to submit its candidature, nor a process that intends to interfere with the support that other States may grant.
We remind that the rules of procedure of the Organs to which each candidature corresponds, clearly establish the procedure to be followed for the submission of said candidatures and their election. In this regard, the guidelines cannot constitute duplicity, nor can they address issues that are not within their competence.
Co-Chairs,
Our delegation notes the interest of several delegations, particularly from developed countries, to change the date of the beginning of the regular session of the General Assembly.
Such an initiative, which has an impact not only on the work of the Organization, but also on the planning of our Governments, should be debated in a broad, transparent manner and without forcing decision-making on the issue at this session.
We reiterate, as agreed in paragraph 47 of the resolution on the Revitalization, that the report to be submitted by the Secretary-General should be impartial and comprehensive, addressing both the advantages and disadvantages of each of the options.
Although such proposals may be examined, my delegation maintains its preference to preserve the date of beginning of the session as established in Rule 1 of the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly.
Co-Chairs,
The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations. A true reform of the Organization requires a revitalization of the General Assembly that consolidates the democratic and participatory nature of this Organ, through the full exercise of the powers enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations by its 193 member states.
Cuba considers it is an obligation to respect and fully comply with the Charter of the United Nations, as well as with the Rules of the General Assembly and other organs. We believe this is a shared obligation, both for the member states and for the Secretariat itself.
We strongly reject the manipulation, blackmail and pressure that some exert on the Secretariat, with the purpose of violating the rules of the General Assembly and the procedures of this Organization.
We strongly reject the use of the chambers of this Organization to generate and promote campaigns against their own Member States. This constitutes an open violation not only of the resolutions and norms of the UN, but also of the purposes and founding principles of this Organization.
We reiterate that the Secretariat must guarantee and ensure that the procedures and work regulations contained in resolutions, rules and administrative guidelines are fully complied with. In this effort, it should be characterized by its impartiality, professionalism and responsibility, features that should be maintained under any pressure.
Co-Chairs,
Cuba emphasizes the need for an adequate balance among the main organs of the United Nations, in accordance with the Charter, as well as the cessation of the growing and dangerous tendency of the Security Council to encroach on the scope of action of the Assembly, which is a violation of the procedures.
We reject the use of the forum of the General Assembly, and therefore the United Nations Organization, to endorse national agendas and unilateral political maneuvers, aimed at promoting interference in the internal affairs of other states, overthrow legitimate governments and violate sovereignty and political independence of the member states.
We take this opportunity to strongly condemn the attempt to impose through a coup d'état, a government in the service of the United States in Venezuela, as well as the repeated calls for the Bolivarian military to join this attack.
The Revolutionary Government of Cuba calls for international mobilization in defense of peace in Venezuela and in the region, based on the principles of the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace adopted by the Heads of State and Government of our region in 2014 in Havana.
The sovereignty and dignity of Latin America and the Caribbean and the peoples of the South are decided today in Venezuela. The survival of the norms of International Law and the Charter of the United Nations are also decided. It is defined if the legitimacy of a government emanates from the express and sovereign will of its people or from the recognition of foreign powers.
We ask the international community for support to this sister nation, as well as for rejecting any maneuver intended to be legitimized in this Organization against peace, stability and development in Venezuela.
Thank you very much