Mr. Chairman;
I thank Executive Director Mrs. Catherine Russell for her valuable and substantive statement while extending our congratulations on her appointment to the post. I convey to her our best wishes for success in her duties.
I take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Mrs. Henrietta Fore for her service throughout these years at the helm of UNICEF with commendable results. I also thank the members of the Bureau for their preparations to hold this meeting.
We are deeply grateful for the support lent by UNICEF to our country in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. UNICEF's assistance has significantly contributed to underpin my government's efforts to ensure the well-being and development of our children.
In this regard, we wish to highlight the donation of an oxygen plant, 1 million 300 thousand syringes and materials to strengthen the cold chain requirements to support the vaccination campaign, 14 304 PCR kits, water storage containers, dispensers and antibacterial gel. UNICEF also assisted with pediatric oxygen concentrators, personal hygiene kits, masks and protective equipment for 12,200 health professionals.
These actions, together with the implementation of our national pandemic response plan, have contributed to the strengthening of the capacities of our health facilities and to the effective implementation of the immunization campaign against COVID-19.
Cuba, the first country in the world to launch a massive national COVID-19 vaccination campaign for children, with vaccines of its own, recently completed the pediatric vaccination schedule against the pandemic, without any deaths. During the campaign, more than 1 million 600 thousand Cuban children between 2 and 18 years of age were vaccinated.
Mr. Chairman,
The welfare of children and teenagers is a priority in my country. Respect for their rights is innate to the Cuban social project and is materialized through the implementation of social policies, programs and projects in the areas of health, education, social security and culture, among others, to ensure the enjoyment of a full and happy life for them. We reiterate our will to maintain and continue to expand the achievements made in relation to children and adolescents in Cuba.
Mr. Chairman,
I wish to conclude by reaffirming my country's commitment to continue to enhance cooperation ties with UNICEF and to continue to work jointly for the health, education, protection and well-being of our children and adolescents.
Thank you.