In the general debate of the 13th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development, Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, Cuba’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, denounced that the current international economic order continues to be a structural barrier hindering the development of Global South nations and obstructing the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda Objectives.

The Cuban diplomat advocated for an urgent transformation of the international financial architecture to ensure the effective participation of developing countries, as well as equitable and unconditional access to financing, as highlighted by the Cuban Foreign Ministry’s website.

In the context of the 40th anniversary of this human right, Soberón Guzmán called for a renewed international push and the strengthening of all forms of North-South, South-South, and triangular cooperation. He also demanded the fulfillment of Official Development Assistance commitments and the elimination of unilateral coercive measures that undermine this right.

As an example of these practices, the Cuban representative denounced the escalation of measures by the United States government against Cuba, particularly the intensification of the economic blockade and the siege on fuel supplies. He noted that the direct impact on the national economy and the well-being of the population disproportionately affects the most vulnerable sectors.

Cuba reiterated its support for United Nations mechanisms dedicated to promoting the right to development and called for urgent action to transform international economic relations and eliminate practices that hinder this fundamental right.