Mr. President,
Dear Catherine Russell, Executive Director
Dear members of the Executive Board and other delegations.
I congratulate H.E. Mr. Jonibek Ismoil Hikmat, Permanent Representative of Tajikistan to the United Nations, on his election as President of the Executive Board for the year 2025, as well as the Vice-Presidents. We are confident that under his leadership, the work of the Board during this period will be successful.
We thank the Executive Director for her remarks and reiterate our appreciation for UNICEF's outstanding work at the global level, despite difficult circumstances and limited core resources.
The 2022-2025 Strategic Plan and other programme documents of the Organization have enabled it to better coordinate the global response for the well-being of children around the world, especially those still living in extreme poverty. In Cuba, we appreciate the progress made. The challenges identified will help refine strategies and redouble efforts for the period 2026-2029.
We hope that the next Strategic Plan will be ambitious and comprehensive, so that UNICEF will be better able to face the complexities of the current international context and the ever-increasing challenges facing developing countries. In this regard, I would like to express my delegation's willingness to participate actively and constructively in the final document’s drafting and consideration processes, in order to ensure that it effectively addresses the well-being of children and adolescents, especially those living in conditions of greater vulnerability.
Similarly, we believe that the next cycle should be aligned with the mandates contained in resolution 79/226 on the "Quadrennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system" (QCPR).
Mr. President,
In 2024, UNICEF's support was critical to our national efforts to prepare for and respond to tropical storms, hurricanes and other natural disasters. The organization's response has been essential in restoring education centers, ensuring access to water, hygiene and sanitation, and providing medical supplies.
However, resources are limited in the face of enormous needs. In this regard, we insist on the need for flexible, adequate and predictable resources to enable UNICEF to carry out its mandate.
I conclude, Mr. President, by reaffirming Cuba's commitment to the work and mandate of UNICEF. We reiterate our willingness to continue to promote cooperation with the Organization, including through the development of joint projects, especially in the health sector, where Cuba's experience and results enjoy great prestige and international recognition.
Thank you