President Savarin asserts Dominica’s solidarity with Cuba at UNGA

President of Dominica, His Excellency Charles Savarin announced that Dominica continues to stand with the international community calling for the removal of the economic blockade imposed on the Republic of Cuba by the United States of America (USA). He was addressing the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held in New York on Thursday.

The United States embargo against Cuba prevents American businesses, and businesses organized under U.S. law or majority-owned by American citizens, from conducting trade with Cuban interests. It is the most enduring trade embargo in modern history.

The embargo has had a negative impact on the Cuban economy resulting in a loss of billions of dollars in trade and other opportunities.

“Dominica continues to stand with the overwhelming majority of the international community, calling for the removal of the 60-year-old economic blockade imposed on the Republic of Cuba by the United States,” he stated.

He pointed out that in November of 2022, this body voted overwhelmingly 185 to 2, condemning the embargo.

“Even Ukraine could not bring itself to support the United States in this outdated and unjust measure and abstain from voting,” the President said.

He continued, “This body must continue to condemn this violation until it is lifted as it has severely impacted the lives and livelihoods for ordinary Cuban citizens for the last six decades.”

Meanwhile, Savarin stated for the last 30 years Small Island Developing States (SIDs) have been advocating for resilient building measures based on the inherent vulnerabilities and the frequency and magnitude of its increase in global shocks.

He indicated that the lack of adequate assistance through development partners and international financial institutions has forced governments to borrow, “resulting in high repayment cost and unsustainable debt levels for our fragile economies.”

Mr. Savarin said to this end Dominica fully supports the work of the multi-dimensional vulnerability index which contributes to unlocking the type of financing which is so urgently required.

“Additionally, Dominica pledges its full support and participation to the upcoming SIDs conference to be held in Antigua and Barbuda in 2024,” he stated.

The 78th session of the UNGA is being held under the theme “Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals Towards Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability for All.”

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