Cuba condemns the blockade imposed by the US government at UNESCO
Today morning, the plenary debate of the 219th session of the Executive Board of UNESCO began at the Organization’s headquarters in Paris, where Cuba participates as a Member State of this important body. The Cuban delegation is headed by the representative to the Executive Board, Ambassador Dulce Buergo Rodríguez, President of the Cuban National Commission for UNESCO, and the Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Cuba to UNESCO Yahima Esquivel Moynelo. The delegation is also integrated by the First Secretary LLuraldi Cabas Mayor and Second Secretary Yailin Castro Loredo. In her statement to the Executive Council, the Cuban representative pointed out that we have enormous potential in UNESCO, that we have a moral duty to take advantage of, defend and function the transformation of humanity, with a true sense of solidarity, cooperation and unity, recognizing and respecting each other in the diverse and rich history of each of our peoples. No blockades or unilateral sanctions, which do so much harm.
U.S. Chargé d'Affaires summoned to the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest against the U.S. government's interfering behavior.
On March 18, 2024, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Benjamin Ziff was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Deputy Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío, who formally conveyed to him the firm rejection of the interference and slanderous messages of the U.S. government and its embassy in Cuba regarding the internal affairs of the Cuban reality. With the delivery of a formal note of protest, the U.S. diplomat was reminded of the minimum standards of decency and honesty expected of a diplomatic mission in any country and which the U.S. embassy in Cuba shows itself incapable of observing, while emphasizing that this diplomatic office and its personnel are obliged to behave in accordance with the norms of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Cuba participates in the extraordinary session of the Intergovernmental Conference of the Global Convention on Higher Education
The Extraordinary session of the Intergovernmental Conference of the States Parties to the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education took place this morning at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
As a result of the meeting, the provisional Programme of work for the period 2024-2025 was adopted, which includes, among other issues of relevance to the Convention, capacity-building activities to support States Parties and non-States Parties with the aim of moving towards the universalization of the instrument. Cuba was one of the first countries to ratify this important Convention that will facilitate academic mobility, the recognition of degrees and diplomas worldwide. Cuban representative recognized the result and commitment of the working group in charge of preparing the proposed work program, while ratifying Cuba's commitment to strengthening international and interregional cooperation in higher education, to raising its quality in the country and throughout the world. as well as promoting the exchange of good practices and best tools for the recognition of higher education qualifications.
Cuba participates in the World Summit on Culture Abu Dhabi 2024.
The Sixth World Summit on Culture began this Sunday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and will last until March 5. The Cuban delegation is chaired by the Minister of Culture of Cuba, Alpidio Alonso Grau and is also composed of the Ambassador of Cuba to the United Arab Emirates, representatives of the Ministry of Culture and the diplomatic representation in that country. In the framework of the Summit, a High-Level Segment convened by UNESCO will be held as a special session to which ten ministers of culture have been invited, including Cuba. The event will be an opportunity to follow up on the agreements adopted at the World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development, Mondiacult, held in Mexico in 2022.
Cuba participates in the panel on the enhancement of the cultural heritage associated with the Coffee Route.
Today afternoon, the Cuban Ambassador to UNESCO, Yahima Esquivel Moynelo participated in the Panel on the enhancement of the cultural heritage associated with the coffee route. The Panel was also attended by the Minister of Culture and Communication of Haiti, Emmelie PROPHETE, with representatives of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and a young Haitian archaeologist. Ambassador Esquivel shared Cuba’s experience in managing the archaeological landscape of coffee plantations in the southeast of the country, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The integrated management of heritage, the management of tourism in archaeological sites and the role of cooperation for the sustainable development of carrier communities were some of the aspects addressed.