International Conference "For the Balance of the World" Hosts the presentation of the UNESCO International Prize “José Martí”
Paris, February 1, 2025. The VI International Conference "For the Balance of the World," held in Havana from January 28 to 31, was once again the venue for the presentation of the UNESCO International Prize “José Martí”.
In this edition, the Association of United Midwives of the Pacific (Asoparupa) was selected to receive the prestigious award. The award was presented by Anne Lemaistre, Director of the UNESCO Office in Havana, during the opening session of the VI Conference. The event, under the theme "For Dialogue among Civilizations and For a Culture of Peace," brought together more than 600 delegates from 98 countries and 400 Cubans.
In a message sent to the meeting participants, Gabriela Ramos, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, thanked Cuba, the sponsor of the prize since 1994, for its support and emphasized the importance of youth and leaders of change in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Cuban Ambassador denounces the blockade and the US government's measures against Cuba and appreciates UNESCO's contribution to the Cuban people's struggle against this unjust policy
Paris, January 30, 2025. In the framework of the celebration of the 66th anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, Cuban Ambassador Maria del Carmen Herrera Caseiro denounced the blockade and the US government's measures against Cuba, highlighting UNESCO's support for the Cuban people's struggle against this unjust policy.
In this regard, she recognized the international organization's traditional position of submitting its contribution each year to the UN Secretary-General's report on the effects of the blockade against Cuba.
Cuba will overcome the imperialist offensive Statement of the Revolutionary Government
US President Donald Trump lashes out against Cuba from day one and without pretext. The decision to reinstate the tough economic warfare measures against Cuba, which his predecessor removed just days before, proves the aggressiveness of US imperialism against the sovereignty, peace and welfare of the Cuban people. These measures comprise the inclusion of our country, once again, in the arbitrary list of States that allegedly sponsor terrorism, a designation that shows an absolute disregard for the truth.
This is no surprise. The statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of January 14 already warned: “that the government of that country could reverse in the future the measures adopted today, as has happened on other occasions and as a sign of the lack of legitimacy, ethics, consistency and reason in its conduct against Cuba”. It also affirmed that “U.S. politicians do not usually stop to find honest justification...” That is how they run their government in that country.
First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba meets with UNESCO Deputy Director-General
Paris, January 14, 2025. As part of his working visit to France, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Gerardo Peñalver Portal, was received by UNESCO Deputy Director-General, Mr. Xing Qu. The Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Cuba to UNESCO, Maria del Carmen Herrera Caseiro, was also present at the meeting.
During the fraternal exchange, both executives noted the excellent state of ties between Cuba and the Organization and agreed to continue strengthening them.
The United States takes steps in the right direction, but the blockade remains in force.
Declaration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba
On January 14, 2025, the government of the United States announced the following decisions:
- Remove Cuba from the State Department list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism;
- Make use of the presidential faculty to prevent US courts from taking action with regards to lawsuits that might be filed by virtue of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act; and
- Eliminate the list of restricted Cuban entities that designates a group of institutions which US citizens and institutions are not allowed to make financial transactions with, which has had an impact on third countries.
Despite its limited scope, this is a decision that points to the right direction and is in line with the sustained and firm demand by the government and the people of Cuba, as well as the broad, emphatic and reiterated call by numerous governments, particularly those of Latin America and the Caribbean; Cubans residing abroad; political, religious and social organizations and numerous political figures of the United States and other countries. The government of Cuba expresses its gratitude to all of them for their contribution and sensitivity.