Mr. Chairman,
Cuba wishes to thank the convening of this preparatory session of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries.
First, I would like to thank the Alliance of Civilizations and in particular, to Mr. Moratinos for its leadership in the promotion of a culture of peace and tolerance within the complex international situation we are going through. I also thank the Missions of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates for their efforts to declare the International Day of Human Fraternity.
Madam President,
Esteemed Natalia Kanem, Executive Director,
Dear members of the Executive Board and other delegations,
We thank the UNFPA Executive Director for her relevant and substantive statement and the members of the Bureau for the preparations and documentation submitted for this session.
Madam President,
Esteemed Mr. Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator,
Distinguished members of the Executive Board and other delegations,
We thank Administrator Steiner for his substantive and comprehensive statement and the members of the Bureau and the Secretariat for the preparations and documentation submitted for this session.
Mr. President,
We take this opportunity to recognize His Excellency, Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the General Assembly, for his determination and dedicated effort in maintaining the work of the General Assembly under such adverse conditions.
Mr. President,
We support the statement delivered by Azerbaijan on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.
In this first 2021 open debate on the situation in the Middle East, we reiterate the condemnation of the attacks launched against Aden Airport, last December 30th, which resulted in the death of over thirty civilians and injures to dozens of other people. We express our heartfelt sympathies to the families and closed relatives of the victims.
Co-Chairs,
In thanking you for convening this meeting, I wish to congratulate you on your appointment as co-chairs of this important process.
Mr. President,
In addition to its impact on the lives of millions of people, the COVID-19 pandemic is causing serious socio-economic consequences for all countries, jeopardizing the achievements earned in terms of sustainable development, including health.
Mr. President,
My delegation is honored to speak under agenda item 37, "The situation in the Middle East", and under agenda item 38, "The Palestinian question".
Mr. President,
The year that is ending has been marked by the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which adds new challenges and complicates others that already existed for the international community.
Most eloquently, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the unjust nature of the international order in which we live, which multiplies the privileges of rich countries and perpetuates the shortcomings of the poor.
