76 UNGA: Statement by the Cuban delegation during the first part of the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries. New York, 17 March 2022.

Mr. Chairman,

Cuba wishes to express its satisfaction at the holding of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries.

We appreciate the efforts made by Qatar to organize and materialize this conference, despite all the odds. At the same time, we congratulate the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States for the preparation of this important meeting.

Mr. Chairman,

Cuba recognizes the particular vulnerabilities, needs and challenges faced by the Least Developed Countries, which negatively affect their possibilities of achieving sustainable development. We regret that there are still important challenges to be overcome and goals to be achieved in pursuit of the sustainable development of these countries.

We urge the international community, and particularly, the United Nations Development System, to support the efforts for the successful implementation of the outcomes of this Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in a coordinated, coherent and effective manner.

Efforts should be made to strengthen the means of implementation in support of the least developed countries, including financing, technology transfer, capacity building and partnership building.

Likewise, for the least developed countries to make effective headway toward the goals set, developed countries must honor their historical responsibilities and international commitments, including relating to the Official Development Assistance, as well as more ambitious climate change mitigation and adaptation goals. In like manner, real steps must be taken to achieve a fairer and more equitable international economic order, without which it will be impossible to overcome the challenges faced by the least developed countries.

Mr. Chairman,

My delegation actively participated in the discussions on the draft Doha Programme of Action, both within the Group of 77 and China and with other delegations. 

We believe that the document resulting from the exhausting discussions that took place, and for which more time would have been required, contains formulations that do not enjoy consensus.

Such is the case of the reference to the term human security. In this regard, it should be reiterated that United Nations General Assembly resolution A/66/290 does not define a concept of human security, and therefore it cannot be invoked to substantiate its inclusion in the document. This term does not enjoy consensus either in its conceptualization or in its implementation.

In spite of the above, and by virtue of our solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the LDCs, the Cuban delegation joins the decision to adopt this document as the Doha Programme of Action during this Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries.

However, this does not mean that we accept the belief that there is consensus on these terms.

Mr. Chairman,

Consistent with the defense of the universal right to development, solidarity and brotherhood among our countries, Cuba ratifies its strong commitment to South-South Cooperation as a complement that can contribute to the sustainable development of the Least Developed Countries. The LDCs can count on Cuba in these noble efforts.

Thank you very much.