Cuba ratifies in Venezuela commitment to CELAC

Havana, June 27 (RHC) The Cuban Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment, Elba Rosa Pérez, ratified this Tuesday in Caracas her country's commitment to the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

When speaking at the meeting of ministers and high authorities of Science, Technology and Innovation of CELAC, which is meeting in Caracas for two days, the Cuban official reaffirmed her conviction to contribute, as much as possible, to the strengthening of this integration mechanism.

Pérez urged to put science, technology and innovation at the center of the debates of the Latin American and Caribbean bloc for the construction of a community for all. She advocated for the greatest possible use of science and innovation in the region, in priority sectors such as agri-food, energy, health, and the environment, among others.

The minister affirmed that Cuba welcomed the proposal of President Nicolás Maduro to create the Latin American and Caribbean Center for the Development of Science and Technology, and announced that they can count on the support and accompaniment in its creation and development.

Pérez stated that the island could support the work of the center in areas such as neuroscience, biotechnology, nanoscience and nanotechnology, the recovery of coastal ecosystems and the use of science in the implementation of policies for adaptation to climate change.

At the same time, she favored the expansion of CELAC's relations with extra-regional partners in matters of science, technology and innovation, in issues identified as priorities by its member states.

The Cuban minister stated that the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which causes Covid-19, confirmed the transition towards the formation of a new techno-productive paradigm, a scenario in which solidarity and cooperation should be promoted to achieve the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

In this sense, she demanded the creation of new employment opportunities, promoting access to knowledge and the effective application of science, technology and innovation. At the same time, she emphasized on the need to achieve and strengthen the relationship between science and politics, including a perspective in national development plans and in the main decision-making processes.