Cuba ratifies its commitment to values of UNESCO

HAVANA, Cuba, Oct 11 (ACN) Cuba ratified today at the Executive Council of UNESCO its commitment to the values and mandate of that organization in the pursuit of peace and the promotion of sustainable development.

According to information from the Cuban foreign ministry, the island's permanent representative to this body, Yahima Esquivel, highlighted the multilateral organization's support for a considerable number of development programs in education, science and culture.

At the 215th Session of the forum, held in Paris, the diplomat underscored the uninterrupted cooperation with UNESCO since Cuba's entry, 75 years ago, and assured that her country will continue defending its founding values and principles, which are fully valid to face the current global challenges.

This, she added, has allowed Cuba to promote development and access to scientific progress as a public good at the service of humanity, and to face global emergencies such as the Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics with a vocation of solidarity.

Esquivel highlighted Cuban participation in the organization's response to challenges such as the digital divide, Internet governance and ethics in artificial intelligence, as well as the right to access to information, the safeguarding of heritage and cultural diversity.

The Caribbean nation is honored to have in Havana the first office that UNESCO established outside its headquarters, a mission approved by the General Conference in 1948, the diplomat continued.
On behalf of the Cuban government and people, Esquivel thanked the expressions of solidarity received after hurricane Ian hit the western part of the country, causing severe damage.