On the second day of the event, which is taking place from June 8 to 12 at FAO headquarters in Rome, Cuban Ambassador Jorge Luis Cepero, his country’s Permanent Representative to the global body, pointed out that the blockade affects the sustainable development of the island nation and the right to food of its people.

  The diplomat asserted that these measures imposed by the US government against the island are illegal and violate international law, specifying that in the last year alone they have caused losses of more than seven billion dollars, resources that could have been used to expand the distribution of subsidized food to the Cuban population.

  He referred to the new actions by the US administration aimed at preventing Cuba’s access to fuel, as well as disrupting financing and supply chains essential for national food security, which also hinders the work of United Nations agencies in that country.

  Cepero reaffirmed Cuba’s commitment to multilateralism and the right to food and lamented that, despite the efforts of the international community, hunger and extreme poverty continue to affect millions of people worldwide, as a consequence of the current unjust and exclusionary global economic order.

  The Permanent Representative acknowledged the importance of the historical cooperation between the FAO and his country, while reaffirming his government’s willingness to continue strengthening these ties.

  Finally, the ambassador called on the international community to implement concrete and immediate actions that promote social justice, sovereignty, and more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient agri-food systems.

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