Ibero-American organization opens permanent office in Cuba

HAVANA, Cuba, Nov 29 (ACN) The Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI) opened its permanent headquarters in Cuba in order to deepen joint collaboration.

Mariano Jabonero Blanco, its secretary general, said in an exclusive interview with the Cuban News Agency that justice was done to the Caribbean country, which has always been committed to the organization's projects and whose contributions have been valuable.

For the official at the head of the OEI since 2018, the opening of the office is a historic and crucial moment, and will allow consolidating and expanding cooperation in education, science and culture for the benefit of the Cuban people.

Ena Elsa Velazquez Cobiella, Cuban minister of education, said that the government shares with the OEI its interest in the presence of a representation in the national territory capable of streamlining and diversifying the lines of multilateral cooperation and strengthening ties with the scientific, educational and cultural community.

She ratified her nation's commitment to the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda and shared the conviction that the member states of the Ibero-American organization must invest more and more in the areas prioritized by it, as they are the foundation of peace and sustainable development.

Representing Cuba were the ministers of communications, Mayra Arevich Marin; of culture, Alpidio Alonso Grau; of science, technology and environment, Elba Rosa Perez Montoya; and of foreign trade and investment, Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz.

Angel Martin Peccis, Spanish ambassador, and the directors of the OEI in Panama and Argentina, respectively, Melissa Wong Sagel and Luis Scasso, were also present.