United Nations, February 9 (RHC) —Cuba's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations,

Cuba's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ana Silvia Rodriguez. 

, demanded on Monday more significant support for the least developed countries, which face tremendous challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

At an executive session of the Preparatory Committee for the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, the ambassador underscored how the health crisis exacerbates multiple vulnerabilities, such as the significant setback these States are experiencing in their economic and social progress.

She added that there are even setbacks in poverty reduction efforts and other social outcomes.

Rodriguez called for work to strengthen the means of implementation in support of the least developed countries, including financing, technology transfer, capacity building, and partnership building.

"We must promote a new, fair, and equitable international economic order," she stressed.

Likewise, the Cuban diplomat continued, the wealthiest countries must honor their historical responsibilities and their international commitments in terms of Official Development Assistance and more ambitious climate change mitigation goals.

Cuba defends the universal right to development, based on mutual respect and recognizing common but differentiated responsibilities, she said.