Mr. President,
1. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report and commend his continued effort, as requested by the General Assembly, regarding the necessity of ending the economic, commercial, and financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba. My delegation also aligns itself with the statements delivered by Uganda on behalf of NAM, by Iraq on behalf of G77 and China, and by Singapore on behalf of ASEAN.
Mr. President,
2. As we convene, once again at this august General Assembly, to deliberate on this important and long-pending issue, the overwhelming majority of member states have continued to collectively call for the United States to put an end to its unilateral measures that remain persisted against Cuba and its people.
3. For over six decades, we have witnessed that the rigorous application of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade has continued to cause negative consequences for Cuba and its people. Extending far beyond the realm of the economy, these prolonged measures have detrimentally affected the fundamental rights of the Cuban people, including their rights to development and survival as well as their access to essential needs such as food, medicines, and other basic means of daily subsistence. This blockade hinders Cuba’s efforts to attain sustainable development and achieve the 2030 Agenda.
4. As reflected in the Secretary General’s report, the embargo has inflicted an estimated cost of $5 billion on Cuba for only one year between March 2023 and February 2024, accumulating to a staggering $164 billion in total over six decades. This figure is astonishing if one can only imagine how many schools, hospitals, and other basic services could have been built for the Cuban people.
5. In light of the profound hardships endured by the Cuban people, it is imperative that the international community stands in firm solidarity with them. We believe it is our shared responsibility to ensure that Cuba, a sovereign UN member state, has the equal opportunity like all other nations, to thrive and determine their own destiny without external interference or hindrances.
Mr. President,
6. The Lao PDR reaffirms its principal position that the use of all Unilateral Coercive Measures including economic, commercial, and financial embargo contradicts the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and established international norms. Therefore, we take this opportunity to reiterate our unwavering commitment to the principle of respecting the sovereignty of states, refraining from interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, and promoting friendly relations among all nations.
7. On this note, the Lao PDR joins the call of the international community, for lifting the embargo against Cuba and removing it from the “List of State Sponsors of Terrorism” and ending all unilateral coercive measures against any sovereign state. In this regard, my delegation will continue to join the overwhelming majority in supporting and voting in favor of the draft resolution A/79/L.6 on the “Necessity of Ending the Economic, Commercial, and Financial Embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”.
Mr. President,
8. In conclusion, the Lao PDR urges all member states to amplify our collective commitment to promoting and strengthening multilateralism as well as the full respect of principles of the UN Charter, aimed at fostering equitable and sustainable development while safeguarding the legitimate rights of all countries, especially in the midst of this challenging global uncertainty. I thank you.
