Mr. President,
We appreciate the presentation of the 2020 Annual Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency and draft resolution A/76/L.10.
We recognize and support the important work of the IAEA and its contribution to peace and sustainable development.
We recognize, particularly, the Agency's support to its Member States in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. We appreciate these efforts which, in the case of Cuba, have contributed to develop a nationwide network of molecular biology laboratories, with highly qualified personnel.
Cuba takes pride in having assumed the Secretary of the Technical Coordination Body of the Regional Cooperation Agreement for the Promotion of Nuclear Science and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean (ARCAL) since mid-2021. We ratify our commitment to continue to work towards strengthening cooperation links, creating new partnerships and developing nuclear applications for peaceful purposes in our region, especially for the benefit of priority areas such as health, food security, environmental protection and management of water resources.
It is necessary to redouble the Agency´s efforts to increase the resources of the Technical Cooperation Programme, in order to achieve the 2030 Agenda.
Mr. President,
The application of the IAEA safeguards verification system is critical in the implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, including the verification of the peaceful nature of nuclear energy programmes. We underscore that, in order to maintain credibility in the Agency's activities regarding safeguards, it is indispensable to continue to ensure the unbiased and professional performance of the Secretariat.
The IAEA is the framework for the adoption of international standards on nuclear security, which should be the result of transparent and inclusive multilateral negotiations, with the participation of all States.
We remain convinced that the only guarantee against the use of nuclear weapons is their total elimination in an irreversible, transparent and verified manner.
We endorse the holding of the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction.
We reaffirm our support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran and our rejection of the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the Agreement.
We will continue to support the inalienable right of States to carry out the research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, without discrimination or conditions whatsoever. We call for the immediate end of unilateral coercive measures, which impose restrictions on exports to developing countries of materials, equipment and technologies for peaceful nuclear activities.
Thank you