The Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System has said that the US blockade and sanctions against Cuba are hampering the work of specialized agencies in the Caribbean country

Havana, 2 July (RHC) The Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System, Francisco Pichón, has said that the US blockade and sanctions against Cuba are hampering the work of specialized agencies in the Caribbean country.

We are also affected by the blockade and external sanctions, which do not promote the prosperity of any nation, he declared at the end of visits to institutions to evaluate the results of various projects during 2023.

According to him, the hostility towards the island makes the purchase of inputs more expensive, conditions the contracting of suppliers, prohibits the receipt of services from US banks and limits access to information and communication technologies.

Obviously, he added, access to finance is a major obstacle created by these sanctions and makes any opportunity for development difficult, despite Cuba's political commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

We have prioritized the search for financing for development and it remains one of our greatest commitments to find innovative ways, modalities and instruments that can really serve the country, he said.

Every year, we prepare a report to the UN Secretary-General on how the blockade is affecting all the sectors we work in, and now we are also dedicating a section in our results report to reflect this impact," he said.

On Monday, Mr. Pichón visited the Eusebio Hernández Maternity Hospital, the University of the Arts, the Vista Hermosa farm, the Molecular Engineering Centre, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and the Hotel Nacional.

In each of these institutions, he visited initiatives supported by the United Nations system in Cuba, as part of his evaluation of the results in 2023, and held exchanges with the authorities and workers.

With heterogeneous and complementary mandates, 22 agencies are part of the United Nations system in Cuba, which seeks an articulated response to the demands of sustainable development in the country. (Source: Prensa Latina)