Mr. Chairman,
Cuba associates itself with the statements delivered by the distinguished delegations of Egypt on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, El Salvador on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and Maldives on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island Developing States. We are further honored to have a representative of our region presiding over the work of this Commission. We commend you and the other members of the Bureau on your election and convey my delegation’s support for the discharge of your duties.
Mr. Chairman,
Cuba will participate in the work of the Second Committee in order to contribute to eliminating the obstacles, gaps and challenges in the area of development faced by the world community; in particular that affects developing countries, especially the most vulnerable ones.
Constructive debate, mutual respect and the national equality of each of its members, as well as the effective and efficient use of the agenda, should guide the work of the Commission, at all times addressing issues under consideration with quality and depth. We must also respect the different realities, capacities and levels of development of each country, as well as safeguard the policy space of each member and the observance of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, banishing the practices of imposing proposals not agreed upon and that only represent the interests of a small group of countries, the developed countries.
Mr. Chairman,
Achieving the 2030 Agenda for Development, the Addis Ababa Agenda for Action and the Paris Agreement, among other framework agreements, will only be possible if all Member States demonstrate genuine commitment, political will and a spirit of cooperation.
Three years after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, inequality and social polarization worldwide is worsening, including within the developed nations themselves, whose opulence stands in stark contrast to the poverty suffered by a large portion of the population in developing countries: over 767 million people continue to live in poverty; 793 million suffer from malnutrition and one in four children in the world suffers from chronic malnutrition. The paradox, however, is that there are resources, technology and capacity to eliminate poverty and underdevelopment, as demonstrated by the annual global military expenditure of $1.7 trillion. What has been lacking is the political will and genuine commitment of the most powerful States to fulfill their international commitments.
The eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, remains the greatest global challenge and an essential requirement for sustainable development. To achieve this, we must put an end to conflicts among peoples and eliminate the causes of underdevelopment.
If we want a habitable world of peace and harmony among nations, of democracy, social justice, dignity and respect for the human rights of all, we should undertake tangible commitments as soon as possible in the area of development aid and solve the problem of the foreign debt, that has already been paid several times. Developed countries must comply with their international commitments in terms of Official Development Assistance. They are still far from meeting the target of devoting 0.7% of their Gross Domestic Product to developing countries, including the target of 0.15% to 0.20% for Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
A new international financial architecture is needed to eliminating the monopoly of technology and knowledge. Cuba reiterates the imperative of achieving a New International Economic Order, based on equity, sovereign equality, interdependence, common interest and cooperation among all States, regardless of their economic and social systems. We support and promote South-South cooperation as a sign of solidarity among developing countries with the limited resources available to us and as a complement to, not a substitute for, North-South cooperation. Today's industrialized countries must accept their historical debt and exercise the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities". The international community cannot keep postponing the realization of the right to development.
The reform of the newly adopted Development pillar should be universally applicable and relevant to address the challenges of achieving sustainable development, considering different realities, capacities and levels of development and respecting national policies and priorities.
Mr. Chairman,
Climate change and its global impact threaten the very survival of the human species. Although we believe that the Paris Agreement is not sufficient, it is a starting point that we must preserve and develop if we are to preserve our planet for future generations. No country should unilaterally renounce its common international responsibility, its historic responsibility, or forget its ecological debt to humanity and future generations. Developed countries must change their irrational production and consumption patterns and honor their commitments on financing and technology transfer to developing countries under the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
Mr. Chairman,
The overwhelming majority of the international community has rejected on countless occasions the imposition of unilateral coercive measures to impede the full achievement of the economic and social development of peoples, particularly developing countries. Cuba strongly rejects this practice and once again urges States to refrain from unilaterally promulgating and applying economic, financial or commercial measures that are inconsistent with international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
The Cuban people has withstood for nearly 60 years the effect of the implementation of those measures as a consequence of the illegal, immoral and unjust economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the Government of the United States against Cuba, which continues to be rigorously applied. Yet in the midst of such adverse circumstances, the Cuban people remain engaged in updating its Economic and Social Model and implementing its Development Plan until 2030, based on a sovereign decision to build an independent, sovereign, prosperous, democratic and sustainable socialist nation.
Mr. Chairman,
The spirit of working for a better world, which we believe is possible, will continue to guide the actions of the Cuban delegation during the current session. In that regard, we reiterate our full support and cooperation in the work of the Second Committee.
Thank you very much.