Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 38, entitled "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba. We thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this timely and important debate.

The Group regrets that the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba for more than six decades remains in full application and continues to be enforced. We regret the measures undertaken recently and during the current year aimed at reinforcing the embargo on Cuba, which represents the main obstacle to the process of achieving normalized relations between the two countries. The direct and indirect damage is enormous. It affects all the critical sectors of the Cuban economy, including public health, nutrition and agriculture, as well as trade, investment, tourism and banking.

We are deeply concerned about the widening of the extraterritorial nature of the embargo on Cuba, notably through the full implementation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act. The application of this law is a clear transgression to the freedom of commerce among nations because of its intimidating purpose by punishing any trade or investment transactions between any given country and Cuba.

Regarding the announcement by the Government of the United States of new measures further tightening the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed against the Republic of Cuba, including actions aimed at obstructing the supply of oil to the country and the imposition of sanctions on third States that engage in legitimate commercial relations with Cuba, which have clear extraterritorial effects, the Group stresses that these measures are contrary to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, and undermine multilateralism, international economic cooperation and the rules-based, non-discriminatory, open, fair and equitable multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core. At the same time, they aggravate Cuba's difficulties to carry out financial and commercial operations, threatening the livelihood and integrity of the Cuban population.

The Group of 77 and China is deeply concerned about the severe humanitarian and development consequences that restrictions affecting access to energy supplies have on Cuba currently. Energy shortages and disruptions in fuel supplies are undermining electricity generation and the provision of essential public services, affecting hospitals, schools, water and sanitation systems, public transportation, food production and distribution networks, and other critical infrastructure. The Group is also concerned that financial restrictions and obstacles to international banking transactions have hindered the acquisition of renewable energy technologies, humanitarian supplies and other goods essential for the people of Cuba at this difficult juncture.

In the same vein, we urge the immediate removal of Cuba from the US Department of State´s list of countries that are allegedly sponsors of terrorism. Cuba is a long-standing active partner of Members of the Group in promoting South-South cooperation. Thanks to the efforts made by Cuba, many countries within the Group have developed their scientific and technical potential. All we know about Cuba is friendship and solidarity, we know nothing about terrorism.

The Group recognizes the long-standing and positive contribution of the Cuban international medical cooperation and solidarity in saving the lives of millions of people around the world, particularly but not exclusively in developing countries. Cuba has extensively and consistently contributed to the international community for many decades. Its assistance to other countries has been a great example of South-South cooperation. The Group, therefore, rejects any unilateral coercive measures that are not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations or attempts to hinder this international medical cooperation and solidarity for political or any other reasons.

Mr. President,

In this context, the Group reiterates that there can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development. We continue to guided by all the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter and by full respect for the principles of international law, particularly regarding the sovereign equality of States, non-intervention and non-interference in States' internal affairs and freedom of international trade and navigation. We recall the States shall refrain in international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations. The Group emphasizes that these principles must be fully respected and stresses the need to refrain from any action inconsistent with the Charter that could aggravate tensions or jeopardize the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Cuba. In this regard, the Group calls for all differences to be addressed through peaceful means and dialogue, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. We believe that it is the duty and responsibility of every Member State to strictly comply with those principles and that any policy or action that disregards them should be immediately repealed.

The Group therefore calls for the immediate, complete and unconditional lifting of the embargo, including all measures with extraterritorial effects. Ending these restrictions is essential not only for Cuba's development and the well-being of its people, but also for upholding the Charter, international law and the credibility of multilateralism.

I thank you.