Mr. Chairman,
In order for the human species to survive, social justice, solidarity, equality and respect for the rights of peoples and of every human being must prevail.
It is imperative that the developed countries comply with their commitments of official development assistance; that a just international economic order be promoted; that the implementation of protectionist and discriminatory policies in trade matters against countries of the South end; that the developed countries consciously assume their historical responsibility regarding the serious environmental crisis, which continues to worsen due to a model of global production and consumption that is not sustainable for present or future generations; and that the multimillionaire resources devoted today to war be dedicated to development.
Cuba supports the World Program of Action concerning Disabled Persons. In order to provide care to this sector of the population, our State has implemented a development strategy whose objective has been to focus on the human being, promoting their comprehensive development, self-realization and full social integration.
Our policy towards youth also has a marked vocation of social benefit, prioritizing their professional training, their labor insertion, their participation in the processes of discussion and making of decisions at all levels and their representation in the main structures of the Government, Parliament and other decision-making scenarios.
Cuba attaches great importance to the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and, in this regard, welcomes the report presented on the Third Review and Appraisal.
It is estimated that in the year 2030, in Cuba there will be 3.3 million people aged 60 or older. That is why our country has turned attention to the elderly as a priority, in order to guarantee the quality of life of this sector of the population.
These public policies that are implemented in my country also have a concrete impact on each family. This is shown in practice through the implementation of multisectoral programs from the national to the community level, with the active participation of civil society organizations and other actors.
In this context, it is significant to highlight the broad, transparent and democratic process of popular consultation on the Draft Constitution of the Republic of Cuba, which is currently being developed throughout the country, and in which all Cubans are participating, those who live on the Island as well as the ones residing in other countries.
In a text of 224 articles -87more than the current Constitution- 113 contain modifications and, in a singular way, highlight the reinforcement or development of a wide range of rights, including social rights, treated in a novel way and with great impact on issues related to youth, the elderly, disabled people and the family, in line with the international instruments of which, in these matters, Cuba is a party.
Mr. Chairman,
Despite the strong economic, commercial and financial blockade that my country has suffered for almost six decades, which has a direct impact on our social development, Cuba continues to attain remarkable achievements in social matters and has already fulfilled several of the goals outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals.
Cuba also shares the modest resources it has with other nations in need through international cooperation, thus contributing to their social development. More than 55,000 Cuban health professionals work today in 67 countries.
In this way, Cuba shows in practice its firm commitment to the search for a just, equitable and inclusive world in which progress is made towards achieving social justice for all and recognizing people as the central element of sustainable development.
Thank you very much