Cuba and UNESCO: A History that Began Before 1947
Paris, August 29, 2026.- Cuba today commemorates the 79th anniversary of its accession to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). However, the ties between Cuba and the Organization date back several years before Cuba became a Member State.
Over nearly eight decades, cooperation has extended across the various areas of UNESCO’s mandate. Cuba currently has 9 World Heritage sites, 8 elements inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, 5 inscriptions on the International Memory of the World Register, and 6 Biosphere Reserves. Cuba also maintains active participation in the Organization and is a member of its Executive Board for the 2023–2027 term. Cuba is also associated with two major UNESCO international awards: the UNESCO José Martí International Prize, established in 1994, and the UNESCO Carlos J. Finlay Prize for Microbiology, established in 1977.
Cuban Representative to UNESCO Holds Meeting with Head of the Earth Sciences and Geoparks Section
Paris, August 28, 2026. Cuba’s Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, María del Carmen Herrera Caseiro, held a meeting with Kristof Vandenberghe, Head of UNESCO’s Earth Sciences and Geoparks Section, during which they discussed, among other topics, the evaluation process for the nomination of Viñales National Geopark for designation as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
During the meeting, the Ambassador highlighted Viñales’ geological, natural and cultural values, as well as the commitment and guarantees provided by the Cuban authorities regarding its management and conservation.
The Ambassador noted that these efforts are being undertaken amid the difficult economic and material conditions facing Cuba as a result of the impact of the illegal economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States, as well as the current energy siege and its extraterritorial measures, which severely affect the country’s capacity to advance scientific, environmental and sustainable development projects.
Cuban Ambassador to UNESCO highlights the continued relevance of the ideas of the Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz at tribute marking his Centennial
Paris, August 13, 2026.- As part of the commemorative activities marking the centennial of the birth of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, the Cuban State Mission in France and the Permanent Delegation of Cuba to UNESCO paid tribute, on August 13, to the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution.
The event included remarks by Ambassador María del Carmen Herrera Caseiro, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cuba to UNESCO, who reflected on various facets of Fidel’s personality and thought, while underscoring the continuing relevance of his ideas for Cuba and the world.
The Cuban people’s determination to defend their independence and sovereignty was also reaffirmed. The Cuban people remain victims of a brutal economic, commercial and financial blockade, as well as an energy siege with alarming consequences for the human rights of an entire population. It was recalled that, in his historic 1995 speech before UNESCO, Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz had already denounced the unjust and anachronistic nature of a policy that was incompatible with the world moving toward the 21st century. Thirty years later, his words remain fully relevant in the face of the intensification of these coercive measures against Cuba.
Cuba Highlights the New Strategy for Small Island Developing States at the 48th Session of the World Heritage Committee and Denounces the Impact of the U.S. Blockade on Heritage Protection
Busan, 21 July 2026 – Cuba reaffirmed on Tuesday, during the 48th session of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, its commitment to implementing the new Strategy for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the field of World Cultural and Natural Heritage protection, while denouncing the effects of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the Government of the United States on the country's capacities for heritage management and disaster resilience.
Fruitful Meeting between the Director-General of UNESCO and Cuba's Minister of Science, Technology and Environment
Paris, 16 July 2026. – UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany received Cuba's Minister of Science, Technology and Environment, Armando Rodríguez Batista, this afternoon on the sidelines of the Global Conference of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024–2033), currently taking place at UNESCO Headquarters.
The meeting also took place on the eve of the UNESCO-Cuba Carlos J. Finlay Prize for Microbiology Award Ceremony, a distinction established jointly by Cuba and UNESCO, which is approaching the 50th anniversary of its establishment.
During the cordial exchange, both sides discussed opportunities to further strengthen cooperation between Cuba and UNESCO in strategic areas such as science, water resources, biodiversity conservation, disaster risk reduction, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, building upon Cuba's internationally recognized experience in biotechnology, medicine, science education, and the design and implementation of public policies for scientific and technological development.