The deputy minister of foreign affairs warned of increasing levels of debt, unilateral trade restrictions
and increasing inequality. (Photo:@CubaMINREX)

United Nations, April 22 (RHC)-- The Cuban Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anayansi Rodríguez, warned this Monday of the delay in the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals by asking for more support for the countries of the South.

During the general debate of the United Nations Financing for Development Forum, the representative recalled the great unmet needs for the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.

These goals, she added, cannot be achieved without a profound rethinking of the unjust, undemocratic, speculative and exclusive international economic, financial and commercial order, which constitutes a system of plunder and exploitation.

Anayansi Rodríguez also warned of increasing levels of debt, unilateral trade restrictions and increasing inequality.

At the same time, she added, hard-won development gains have been reversed, especially in poor countries, which have not yet fully recovered from the impact of the pandemic.

Looking ahead to the upcoming IV Financing for Development Conference, the deputy minister of foreign affairs called for more action for a reform of the international financial architecture along with a multilateral mechanism for the renegotiation of sovereign debts with participation for the global South.

In addition, she advocated for instruments that allow debt relief and restructuring in countries affected by natural catastrophes or macroeconomic shocks along with a considerable recapitalization of the Multilateral Development Banks.

The diplomat urged to promote cooperation in science, technology and innovation, contributions from the G77 and China Summit held in Havana in 2023, and to reject the application of unilateral coercive measures, incompatible with international law and the Charter of the UN, he stressed.

“Let us be wise enough to take advantage of the opportunity that the IV International Conference on Financing for Development offers us to advance, together, on that path,” she urged.

The event, inaugurated this Monday, is held at a critical time for the planet with the aim of obtaining concrete results in terms of financing for sustainable development.

During its inauguration, the Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, warned that the goals set out in the 2030 Agenda hang by a thread and with them, the hopes and dreams of billions of people around the world.

“Now is the time to move from words to action and offer affordable, long-term financing at scale,” said the high representative, recalling the commitment to stimulate the Sustainable Development Goals with $500 million annually.  (Prensa Latina)