Cuba: Unsustainable Patterns Need to Be Changed

The signs of environmental worsening indicate the need to change the unsustainable patterns of production and consumption in current societies, said Cuban Minister of Science,Technology and Environment, Elba Rosa Perez. Perez spoke during the Third Conference on Small Island Developing States, in session in this capital of Samoa on Sep 1-4.

The world has a vast accumulated knowledge about science and technology, and the world produces enough quantity of food for all, she acknowledged.

However, she said the scant natural resources are used inefficiently and indiscriminately, and large amounts of money are waste for profit, for especulation and for buying weapons.

The Cuban official also said that climate change represents an obvious threat that hinders the viability of development of small island states, so urgent, balanced solutions are needed.

She noted that, as an island, Cuba is prone to be hit by extreme meteorological events. However, it carries out great efforts, essentially with its own resources, to implement climate change and disaster management-related policies, she said.

She added that national efforts will be insufficient if there are no consistent global policies in place to support sustainable development.

Therefore, a system of international relations is needed so as to fill the gap between countries and achieve the participation of all in global decision-making.

"We hope this conference to be a milestone in the promotion of sustainable development among our countries to contribute to renew the international commitment allowing island developing states to address urgent economic, social and environmental problems," said Perez.