United Nations, September 23 (PL-RHC) –- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon thanked Cuba for its contribution to international efforts to address the epidemic of Ebola plaguing West Africa. Ban reiterated his gratitude to the Caribbean nation in a meeting with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, who arrived in New York in connection with the busy schedule currently underway at the United Nations, where the General Debate of the 69th Session of the General Assembly begins on Wednesday.

According to a press release distributed by the Office of the UN Secretary General's spokesperson, senior officials at the meeting discussed the viral outbreak that has killed more than 2,500 and left twice as many infected, especially in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Before the call from the UN for global support to curb the epidemic, the Caribbean country announced that it would be sending a contingent of 165 medical specialists –- 62 doctors and 103 nurses -- in nine days.

The UN Secretary General has repeatedly emphasized Cuba's response to the call, which is a continuation of decades of medical support to Africa, where the services of nearly 77,000 health collaborators have been provided in 39 nations.

During the meeting, Ban and Rodriguez also talked about Cuba's economic updating, climate change and the post-2015 sustainable development agenda that will complement the Millennium Development Goals set 14 years ago. They also addressed the role of Havana as the host of peace talks with Colombia.