Cuba’s active participation in the 25th Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention
Paris, 24 November 2026 — Cuba is actively participating in the 25th Assembly of States Parties to the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, a forum in which key issues related to the implementation and future sustainability of this important international instrument are being examined.
The Assembly is reviewing, among other matters, the report of the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee on the Committee’s activities, the election of new members of the Committee, the financial status of the World Heritage Fund and the financial sustainability of the Convention, as well as the ongoing reflection on the concept of authenticity in cultural heritage.
During the general debate, the Third Secretary of the Permanent Delegation of Cuba to UNESCO, Laura Alvarez Delgado, reiterated Cuba’s commitment to the protection and safeguarding of cultural and natural heritage and congratulated the Presidency of the Assembly and the newly elected members of the Committee.
Cuba Participates in the 223rd Session of the UNESCO Executive Board, Where the New President of This Body Was Elected
Paris, 20 November 2025. – The Permanent Delegation of Cuba to UNESCO actively participated in the 223rd session of the Organization's Executive Board, held at its headquarters in Paris. A key outcome of this meeting was the election of the new President of this important governing body.
With a wide majority of 53 votes in favour, H.E. Dr. Nasser bin Hamad Al-Hanzab, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to UNESCO, was elected to the position. During the session, the presidents of the various Board commissions and the membership of its Subsidiary Bodies were also appointed by acclamation.
The 43rd Session of UNESCO’s General Conference concludes
Samarkand, 16 November 2025. — The 43rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference successfully concluded on 16 November 2025 in the city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with significant results for the Organization and notable participation and contributions by the Cuban delegation.
This historic session took place from 30 October to 16 November 2025 and marked the first time in the last 40 years that the General Conference was held outside UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, bringing together delegates from more than 190 Member States and Observers, Heads of State, ministers and representatives of partner organizations to define cooperation priorities in education, science, culture, information and communication.
Cuban delegation at the 43rd UNESCO General Conference denounces the impact of the United States blockade across all areas of the Organization’s mandate
Paris, 15 November 2025.– The Cuban delegation participating in the 43rd UNESCO General Conference, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, systematically denounced, across the various Commissions and meetings convened during the Conference, the impact of the intensified economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the Government of the United States against Cuba, as well as the consequences of the country’s inclusion on the unilateral list of States allegedly sponsoring terrorism.
The delegation, composed of Dulce María Buergo Rodríguez, President of the Cuban National Commission for UNESCO, and Laura Álvarez Delgado, Third Secretary of the Permanent Delegation of Cuba to UNESCO, underscored that these unilateral, punitive and illegal measures constitute a structural obstacle to the country’s development and directly affect all areas falling within the Organization’s mandate.
UNESCO supports recovery efforts in Cuba following Hurricane Melissa
Paris, 14 November.– The Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Cuba to UNESCO, H.E. Mrs. María del Carmen Herrera Caseiro, held a working meeting with Mr. Ahmed Zaouche, Head of the Crisis Preparedness and Response Section; Ms. Alessandra Borchi, General Coordinator of that Section; and Ms. Joyce Monteiro, Head of the Latin America and the Caribbean Unit of UNESCO’s Division of External Relations, with the aim of coordinating and following up on the assistance provided by the Organization after the powerful Hurricane Melissa struck eastern Cuba.
During the exchange, the immediate response provided by UNESCO in the fields of education, culture, and communication and information was reviewed, as well as the prospects for continuing to support national recovery efforts and strengthening the resilience of affected communities. The Ambassador expressed her appreciation for the solidarity shown by UNESCO and for the priority attention given to the eastern provinces of Cuba, which were severely impacted by the meteorological phenomenon.