H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the General Assembly,
H.E. Mr. Collen Vixen Kelapile, President of the Economic and Social Council,
Cuba attaches particular importance to the new partnership for Africa's development and welcomes the efforts made to strengthen it. We recognize that there is a long way to go to overcome the continent's underdevelopment resulting from centuries of exploitation of its natural and human resources.
It is essential to adopt external debt relief mechanisms and mobilize resources for the continent by attracting foreign direct investment, ODA and other sources of external financing in order to achieve inclusive economic growth and sustainable development, employment generation, and the eradication of poverty and hunger.
The participation of developing countries, particularly African countries, in economic decision-making and rule-making processes must be broadened and strengthened, and contribute to their fuller and more beneficial integration into the world economy.
It is necessary to promote effective measures to support the region's priorities in post-pandemic recovery, energy development and strengthening national health systems in order to prevent, protect against and fight disease outbreaks and contribute to confronting COVID-19. In this regard, technical and professional assistance, capacity building and vaccine transfer must be ensured.
Of equal concern are the growing challenges posed by climate change, drought, land degradation, desertification, biodiversity loss and floods that particularly affect the region and jeopardize the achievement of the SDGs.
International and regional efforts to prevent conflict and consolidate peace in Africa should be oriented towards the sustainable development of the continent and the human and institutional capacity building of countries and organizations, particularly in the priority areas established at the continental level.
Africa will always be able to count on Cuba's solidarity. We are honored by the prestige achieved by Cuba in Africa, which is the fruit of our selfless contribution to the struggles for independence and sovereignty of our sister African nations.
We are pleased to affirm that collaboration between Cuba and Africa is deepening and diversifying. Proof of this is the presence of more than 6,000 Cuban collaborators from different sectors in Africa and the more than 30,000 Africans who have graduated from Cuban education.
Cuba ratifies its unwavering willingness to continue contributing with all the resources at its disposal to the development of Africa and the success of its 2063 Agenda. It is our commitment to honor the ties of blood, culture and history that unite us.
Thank you.