Cuban deputy PM receives UN-AIDS executive director

HAVANA, Cuba, May 10 (ACN) Ricardo Cabrisas Ruíz, Cuban deputy prime minister and head of the ministry of foreign trade and investment (MINCEX by its Spanish acronym), received Winnie Byanyina, executive director of UN-AIDS and assistant secretary general of the United Nations, on her first visit to Cuba.

During the meeting, both parties reiterated their willingness to continue strengthening the fruitful cooperation in the fight against HIV/AIDS, as well as to promote South-South cooperation for the benefit of other countries in the region and the world, mainly in the African continent, with technology transfer projects.

Cabrisas stressed Cuba's support to the UN-AIDS mandate and in particular to its global strategy, and the Government's willingness to share Cuban experiences with the nations of the South in the prevention and fight against HIV/AIDS, according to a MINCEX press release.

He also highlighted the country's potential for the production of medicines, the transfer of technology and the training of personnel, among other aspects, and thus contribute mainly to the brotherly nations of the African continent.

The Executive Director of UN-AIDS, a faithful defender of social justice and gender equality, said she was honored to be in Cuba and to have been received by the President of the Republic, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez.

Byanyina also had fruitful exchanges with Dr. Jose Angel Portal Miranda, head of the ministry of public health (MINSAP), and with Teresa Amarelle Boue, secretary general of the Cuban Women's Federation, among other authorities.

The visitor was accompanied by Luisa Cabal, director of the regional support team for Latin America and the Caribbean; Yasid Estrada, senior advisor for science, systems and services; Daniel de Castro, advisor for communications and regional promotion; and Francisco Pichon, UN resident coordinator in Cuba.

Cuban deputy prime minister was accompanied by deputy ministers Deborah Rivas Saavedra, from MINCEX, and Carilda Peña García, from MINSAP; as well as Carlos Fidel Martin Rodriguez, director of international economic organizations of MINCEX, among other officials.