The Delegation of Venezuela to UNESCO Awards the Simón Bolívar Medal to the Cuban Delegation
Paris, 16 October – The Permanent Delegation of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to UNESCO awarded the Simón Bolívar Medal to the Republic of Cuba, in recognition of the valuable technical support and sustained cooperation provided by Cuba within the framework of the Organization, which proved fundamental to significant achievements attained by Venezuela during the current biennium.
The distinction was conferred by the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Venezuela to UNESCO, Rodulfo Pérez Hernández, upon the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Cuba to UNESCO, María del Carmen Herrera Caseiro, during a ceremony held at the headquarters of the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Paris.
The Permanent Delegation of Cuba to UNESCO Highlights the Impact of the U.S. Blockade on the Organization’s Financial Situation
Paris, 16 October – The Permanent Delegation of Cuba to UNESCO highlighted the negative impact of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the Government of the United States, as well as the inclusion of Cuba on the unilateral list of alleged State Sponsors of Terrorism, on the financial situation of the Organization.
During the debates on Financial Matters, the Cuban Delegation denounced that these unilateral coercive measures affect not only Cuba, but also the regular functioning of multilateral international organizations. In this regard, it was emphasized that the U.S. blockade hinders, even, UNESCO’s ability to receive the corresponding financial contribution from Cuba as a Member State.
Successful approval of the evaluation of the International UNESCO/José Martí Prize during the 222nd session of the Executive Board
Paris, 16 October – Within the framework of the 222nd session of the UNESCO Executive Board, the evaluation of the International UNESCO/José Martí Prize was successfully approved. This distinction was established in 1994 at the initiative of the Government of Cuba and is intended to promote the values of equality, solidarity, regional integration and human rights in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The 222nd Session of UNESCO’s Executive Board Approves the Final Evaluation of the Transcultura Programme
Paris, 15 October 2025 – During the 222nd session of UNESCO’s Executive Board, the final evaluation of the programme “Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean, and the European Union through Culture and Creativity” was approved. This flagship initiative has established itself as a true enhancer of cultural ties, regional integration, and sustainable development in the Caribbean.
During the session, the Chairperson of the Cuban National Commission for UNESCO, Dulce María Buergo Rodríguez, highlighted the significant results of the programme, implemented between 2020 and 2025 by UNESCO’s Regional Office in Havana with funding from the European Union. The programme directly benefited more than 2,700 young creators and professionals from the cultural and creative industries in 17 Caribbean countries.
The American blockade constituted a major obstacle to the implementation of the Transcultura Program from Cuba
Paris, October 15 – During the 222nd session of the UNESCO Executive Council, the President of the Cuban National Commission for UNESCO, Dulce María Buergo Rodríguez, denounced that the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba represented one of the main obstacles to the implementation of the Transcultura Program from the country.
The program’s final evaluation explicitly documents how restrictions stemming from the blockade and Cuba’s inclusion on the unilateral U.S. list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism affected procurement, financial operations, access to digital technologies, and program logistics. These measures forced purchases to be made through third countries at costs above the international average and hindered maritime transport to Cuban ports, as many shipping companies refused to operate on the Island for fear of U.S. sanctions.