Rome, October 12 and 13, 2023.
Challenges of a changing world: How to face new global challenges together. The climate and environmental emergency (with focus on the Caribbean); value chains and resource supply; energy and food security tested by the current complex international situation.
Distinguished Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic, Maria Tripodi and Secretary General of the International Italo-Latin American Organization, Antonella Cavallari:
Excellencies, distinguished colleagues:
I express my appreciation to the Italian government for organizing this important event, which allows us to reflect on pressing issues for our countries.
In a context of global, systemic and multidimensional crisis, the risk of failing to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) increases. At the recent Summit held in New York, the stagnation and even setbacks in the application of the 2030 Agenda at a global level was confirmed.
Progress in order to guarantee access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all is not as fast as necessary. International financial flows for clean energy continue to decline.
Global warming has reached 1.1ºC above pre-industrial levels. It is likely to reach or exceed the critical tipping point of 1.5ºC in 2035. Greenhouse gases are at record concentrations. The average sea level has reached a new maximum. We cannot continue to ignore the alarms that warn about the imminent climate catastrophe.
Victims of an unjust international economic order, the poorest and most vulnerable countries suffer the worst effects of these unprecedented global challenges.
For Small Island Developing States like ours, and most Caribbean countries, the challenge is even greater, due to our vulnerabilities related to geographical dimensions, economic capabilities and exposure to exogenous shocks.
The mobilization of additional financial resources and fair access to them by developing countries, the promotion of North-South cooperation, technology transfer, capacity building and a more active role for developed countries in the fight against climate change, in accordance with their historical responsibility, are vital.
It is a permanent requirement that developed countries comply with the Official Development Assistance target, which they have committed to allocate 0.7% of GDP for this purpose.
In mid-September, the Group of 77 and China held a successful Summit of Heads of State and Government in Havana on the role of science, technology and innovation in the context of development. The meeting called for the strengthening of cooperation among the countries of the South and urged developed countries to urgently mobilize the means of implementation to strengthen the scientific and technological capabilities of the South in the areas of food, health, education, energy and the fight against climate change.
The current environmental and climate crisis must be addressed through collective action and international cooperation, including North-South, South-South and Triangular Cooperation, respecting the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities, equity and respective capacities.
We advocate for the success of the upcoming Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change COP 28, to be held in Dubai.
In order to consolidate the unity of the South and promote consensus-building in view of the negotiations to be held at COP28, Cuba, in its capacity as Chair of the Group of 77 and China, has called for a Summit of Leaders of the Group to be held on December 2, in the margins of the COP Climate Action Summit; an unprecedented initiative within the framework of a Conference of the Parties.
A just ecological transition cannot overlook the objective of eradicating the structural poverty of our peoples, the promotion of other forms or models of production and consumption, including access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, which will not be possible without adequate financing for developing countries. We believe that the global energy transition must be fair, inclusive and equitable.
The Cuban government has set goals to increase energy efficiency, develop renewable energy sources, reduce the generation of greenhouse gases, mitigate climate change and promote less carbon-intensive economic development. We have set a goal of increasing electricity generation based on renewable energy sources to 24% by 2030.
The multiple international crises have also caused disruptions in supply chains, affecting key elements of agrifood systems, jeopardizing the guarantee of the right to food, food security, nutrition and the health of our peoples. Developing countries are particularly affected by this situation.
Cuba is making extraordinary efforts to guarantee the universal right to food for all Cubans through a basic family food basket. It is working on the implementation of the Food Sovereignty and Nutritional Education Plan.
We recognize that open, non-discriminatory, transparent and rules-based trade is essential to create more inclusive, productive and resilient food systems.
Cuba highly values Italy's position, inclined to strengthen its ties with Latin America and the Caribbean. We consider that the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States should and can play a growing role as an interlocutor with Europe and Italy. The Italy-LAC Conference can contribute to this aspiration.
Distinguished colleagues and guests:
We thank the Italian Government, its Foreign Ministry and the Italian-Latin American Institute for this space for dialogue, with the conviction that the historical and cultural ties between the Italian people and Latin America and the Caribbean will continue to contribute to the deepening of relations between the two regions.
I take this opportunity to thank Italy and the Latin American and Caribbean nations for their traditional support in the just battle for the lifting of the blockade imposed on Cuba for more than 60 years, which is the main obstacle to the economic and social development of my country. The blockade has been reinforced with such spurious actions as that of including and maintaining Cuba on a unilateral list of countries that sponsor terrorism, which enhances the negative effects of the global problems addressed in this session. At the recent Brussels Summit, CELAC and the European Union ratified their total rejection of this policy.
I conclude with the words of Cuban President Miguel Díaz Canel in his recent address to the United Nations General Assembly. "Cuba can be counted on, always, to defend multilateralism and promote the combination of peace and sustainable development for all".
Thank you very much.
