Position paper for Cuba
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | Reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours |
| Paper text: | |
| Since the end of the Space Race, outer space has remained largely unregulated, raising
universal concerns
as some nations consider developing orbital weapons platforms. Weaponizing space
poses one of
humanity’s gravest threats. Current technological limitations may delay this, but we
cannot rely on them;
the absence of weapons in space is no guarantee that it will remain that way.
Cuba supports the peaceful, unarmed use of space. Our nation ratified the Outer Space Treaty (1967) as a collective declaration that space is the “province of all mankind.” We strongly support the proposed PAROS and PPWT treaties, which would strengthen prohibitions on space- based weapons. Both remain stalled, leaving space governance exposed to unilateral actions. Cuba is concerned that some states refuse to negotiate a binding instrument preventing an arms race in space while pursuing military space doctrines. Such actions threaten the spirit of the Outer Space Treaty and undermine collective security; Cuba, therefore, urges that resources be redirected from militarization toward scientific cooperation and environmental stewardship. Cuba opposes using space for spy satellites, which add to congestion, debris, and the risk to peaceful applications. Cuba calls on all nations to take concrete steps: reaffirm their commitment to the peaceful use of outer space, engage in immediate multilateral negotiations for a legally binding framework, and adopt measures to keep space a domain of cooperation, not confrontation. | |
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects |
| Paper text: | |
| Gun violence remains a critical issue, with a quarter-million preventable deaths annually,
fueled by the
illicit small arms trade. Cuba strongly condemns this illegal trade. Strict legislation and
severe penalties
have made illicit arms trading negligible in Cuba. As our Foreign Minister stated, “the
accelerated arms
race leads to competition in the field of death and destruction, employing extraordinary
financial and
material resources that could instead be dedicated to poverty alleviation, development,
and cooperation.”
This moral truth underlies the contradiction of states that condemn illicit arms trade, yet rank among the largest arms producers and exporters. These same nations claim moral authority over sovereign states, yet their actions betray the very principles they claim to defend. Real peace requires consistency, accountability, and shifting resources from weapons to human welfare. Cuba affirms that disarmament and development are inseparable. Arms race spending could address hunger, education, and public health in the Global South. Tackling root causes like poverty and inequality is essential; social justice and cooperation—not arms—are the foundation of lasting security. Cuba calls on all member states to implement the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, the International Tracing Instrument, and the Firearms Protocol. Cuba urges all nations to apply the Arms Trade Treaty impartially and strengthen controls on small arms. We advocate redirecting resources from armaments to development, equality, and well-being. Cuba invites constructive engagement in multilateral negotiations for a lasting and comprehensive solution, reinforcing Sustainable Development Goal 16 and the 2030 Agenda. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence |
| Paper text: | |
| Cuba has made progress in closing the gap between its sustainable development goals
and available
financing. As Chair of the G77 and China, Cuba supports the establishment of a global
economic
framework that ensures fair access to financing, technology, and markets, while
respecting national
sovereignty. The Seville Consensus highlighted the need to modernize financial systems
and reinforced the commitment to economic cooperation. Cuba believes meaningful
reform of the global financial
system is essential for developing nations to overcome the debt and sustainability
challenges that block
progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Such reforms would narrow
inequality and
help protect vulnerable economies from repeated financial crises and predatory lending.
Today’s global financial system still favors a handful of powerful economies, while many developing nations remain burdened by unpayable debts and conditions that weaken their sovereignty. Coercive measures and financial restrictions imposed by certain powers continue to distort markets and block access to needed resources and technologies. Cuba urges the General Assembly to develop a practical plan for financial reform, including limiting exploitative lending, promoting fair multilateral agreements, and increasing concessional financing for developing countries. Cuba also calls for full implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda to achieve the 2030 Agenda. Sustainable development requires that global prosperity not be built on global poverty. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind |
| Paper text: | |
| Climate change poses a significant threat to sustainable development, especially for
Small Island
Developing States (SIDS) and Caribbean nations. Countries with the highest historical
emissions have a
greater responsibility to act. Climate justice requires developed nations to provide
financing, technology,
and capacity-building to developing countries. Although Cuba contributes less than 0.1%
of global
emissions, we face severe impacts from rising seas, hurricanes, and drought.
Industrialized economies must lead in reducing emissions and supporting vulnerable states. Cuba remains committed to South-South cooperation with CARICOM, CELAC, and the G77 to strengthen renewable energy, agricultural resilience, and disaster preparedness. Economic blockades and sanctions impede access to sustainable technologies and violate international law, limiting adaptation by restricting green technology, equipment, and finance. Development cannot progress under these constraints. Through Tarea Vida, Cuba is working to secure food and water in coastal areas and aims to achieve 24% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. However, international restrictions and limited support hinder progress. We propose a Global Solidarity Initiative to ensure all countries have equitable access to investment, technology, and finance for sustainability. Cuba supports the Paris Agreement, the SAMOA Pathway for SIDS, and the Loss and Damage Fund from COP27, which are essential for climate justice and resilience. Only true global cooperation can safeguard the planet for future generations. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination |
| Paper text: | |
| The Republic of Cuba maintains that the right to self-determination is inalienable and
fundamental to the
UN Charter and international law. This right encompasses not only political sovereignty
but also
economic and cultural autonomy. Ensuring self-determination for all peoples allows for
free expression
across political, economic, social, and cultural spheres, free from persecution or external
interference.
The primary blockade to achieving this goal has historically been colonial powers engaging in acts of foreign intervention, occupation, and neo-colonial practices. Cuba reiterates that self- determination remains under threat in many parts of the world. The ongoing occupation of Palestine, the continued Moroccan control over Western Sahara, and the colonial status of Puerto Rico remind the international community that the decolonization agenda of the United Nations is still incomplete. Cuba has a longstanding record of opposing colonial powers and has enshrined anti- colonial principles in its constitution. This commitment is reflected in Cuba’s support for UN Resolution 1514 (1960), which calls for an end to all forms of colonialism and underpins ongoing UN decolonization efforts. Cuba denounces the continued use of unilateral coercive measures and interference in the internal affairs of sovereign nations, actions that contradict the very principles of self-determination and equality enshrined in the UN Charter. Cuba also supported A/RES/3236 (XXIX) on the Question of Palestine, affirming the Palestinian right to self-determination. Consistently, Cuba has condemned the U.S. embargo, regarding it as a violation of national sovereignty. Self-determination is not merely a historical aspiration; it is a living right that underpins peace, cultural identity, and true independence for all peoples. Goals of the Republic of Cuba ● Establish a UN Special Committee on Decolonization with a mandate to ensure the end of foreign occupation within a concrete timeline. ● End economic coercion and issue strong condemnations of sanctions and embargoes. ● Promote educational and cultural sovereignty for the peoples of all nations and states. ● Bolster cooperation among developing and post-colonial nations to advance collective progress. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Improvement of the situation of women and girls in rural areas |
| Paper text: | |
| In rural communities, entrenched traditional structures limit women’s and girls’ access
to education,
healthcare, employment, and decision-making. They represent over a quarter of the
global population and
contribute nearly half of the world’s food supply.
Lower-income countries depend significantly on the labor of rural women and girls, who produce up to 80% of agricultural output. Despite their contributions, they face persistent barriers to education, healthcare, employment, political participation, and legal protection. Advancing their rights drives social and economic growth, increases productivity, strengthens food security, reduces poverty, and builds more resilient communities. Improving their situation benefits both individuals and the nation as a whole. The Republic of Cuba recognizes the importance of acknowledging these challenges and has long prioritized gender equality in national development. Prior to the 1959 Revolution, Cuba faced widespread rural poverty and a patriarchal system that restricted women and girls to domestic roles and limited their access to education and employment. The new socialist government made gender equality a central goal, taking concrete steps to improve opportunities for women and girls in rural areas. Despite progress since 1959, significant challenges remain. Rural women still have limited access to land, credit, and productive resources, thereby restricting their financial autonomy. Geographic isolation further limits access to transportation and the internet, hindering participation in economic, educational, and healthcare activities. Cuba’s economic instability, driven by internal challenges and external pressures, has slowed progress. The U.S. economic blockade and the collapse of the Soviet Union are key external factors. The embargo restricts access to international loans, credit, and investment, reducing resources for social programs, agricultural development, and rural support. Patriarchal norms remain deeply rooted in rural areas, where traditional gender roles are slow to change. Efforts to improve conditions for women and girls must address these cultural factors. Cuba continues to share its experience in promoting gender equality through South– South cooperation. Working with partners such as UN Women, the FAO, and the Federation of Cuban Women, our country has helped support literacy programs, maternal health projects, and rural entrepreneurship across Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. These initiatives require substantial funding, making international partnerships essential. Collaboration with organizations can provide resources, training, and technical assistance to expand education, healthcare, and economic opportunities in rural areas. Yet, progress at home remains slowed by the economic blockade imposed by the United States, which limits access to key resources, technology, and funding needed for social development. Tensions between Cuba and the United States, heightened since 2017, make direct bilateral cooperation unlikely. However, Cuba remains committed to advancing these goals through multilateral partnerships and solidarity with other developing nations. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | Our ocean, our future, our responsibility |
| Paper text: | |
| Cuba is committed to an international order built on cooperation—one rooted in shared
development,
sovereign equality, and peace. Ocean health is vital to all nations of this assembly, and
especially to Cuba.
As a Small Island Developing State, Cuba faces rising seas, coral loss, and coastal
erosion. Through Blue
Economy initiatives, our republic continues to adapt. In this regard, we have established
a national plan,
Tarea Vida, that combines scientific and community-driven solutions to protect our
environment, people,
and economy. One example is the Mi Costa project, led by CITMA, which works with local
communities
to restore 11,000 hectares of mangroves and 3,000 hectares of swamp forest along our
southern coast by
2029. This is just one way we are putting our commitment into practice.
Cuba’s actions reflect a broader commitment to sustainable marine resource management. Our oceans are affected by pollution, overdevelopment of coastal regions, unsustainable fishing, and global warming, which is raising sea levels. Addressing these global issues will require collaboration between nations and creative solutions grounded in research and sustainability. One effective solution to protect biodiversity is through Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Examples like Cabo Pulmo National Park and the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument demonstrate that cooperation delivers measurable progress. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) help wildlife and ecosystems recover, but they only work effectively when implemented with intention. MPAs led by national governments have clear rules but sometimes face pushback from local communities. Likewise, community-led MPAs garner greater local support but struggle with effective enforcement. Cuba has recognized that supportive collaboration between the government and local efforts yields more effective results. The initiatives within Tarea Vida follow this approach: national leaders set the directions, and communities lead local efforts such as monitoring local ecosystems. This teamwork shows Cuba’s dedication to collaborative, research-based conservation efforts of the marine ecosystems. Cuba’s experience shows that sustainable development should not be limited by economic or political pressure. Unilateral measures taken that restrict access to environmental funding or scientific exchange undermine global efforts to confront climate change. Real cooperation means respecting independence. It means removing the barriers that keep developing nations from protecting their people and their environment. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations |
| Paper text: | |
| Cuba seeks to help build a future defined by peace, not force, aggression, or external
domination.
Humanitarian efforts must be guided by solidarity, impartiality, and an unwavering
respect for national
sovereignty. Any use of coercion—including the obstruction of humanitarian aid—
undermines the
principles of humanity, neutrality, and impartiality. Cuba remains committed to
providing effective
humanitarian relief, free of political manipulation.
In line with these principles, Cuba established the Henry Reeve International Medical Brigade in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina. Cuba offered 1,586 medical professionals to assist those suffering and displaced in the United States; however, this offer of solidarity was denied. Since then, the Henry Reeve Brigade has operated in more than 165 countries, deploying over 3,700 Cuban doctors as of 2020. The Brigade has responded to major humanitarian crises, including the 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China, the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, and the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. Consistent with this mission, Cuba urges all Member States to strengthen United Nations coordination by increasing financial contributions, adopting aligned policies, and actively participating. Cooperation should prioritize human need over ideology. This year, the United Nations Humanitarian Aid Fund only received 13 percent of its required budget, resulting in a global humanitarian funding shortfall. Selective withdrawal of support by major donor states has deepened inequalities and left the most vulnerable populations at greater risk. Nowhere is the failure of coordinated humanitarian action more evident than in Palestine, where the people of Gaza endure immense suffering under blockade and bombardment. Cuba condemns all obstruction of humanitarian assistance and inconsistent application of international standards that allow such tragedies to persist. Humanitarian coordination must rely on state leadership and multilateral cooperation, not corporate interests. Privatizing response risks undermining solidarity. Cooperation should build national capacity and strengthen public institutions, not private profit. Cuba calls on the United Nations to reinforce internal mechanisms such as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) through increased assessed and voluntary contributions. Strengthening these mechanisms ensures fair, unconditional distribution of resources to the most vulnerable. Cuba urges all states to uphold humanitarianism as a universal obligation, guided by compassion, equality, and respect for sovereignty. States must reject its use as a tool for power or profit. | |
| Committee: | IAEA |
| Topic: | Nuclear security |
| Paper text: | |
| As a State Party to the Treaty of Tlatelolco, Cuba is resolute in maintaining Latin America
and the
Caribbean as a nuclear-weapon-free zone. Cuba recognizes the grave risks posed by
radioactive sources and nuclear materials and firmly supports robust national
regulations, safeguards, and physical protection
measures in accordance with IAEA guidance.
As a signatory to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), Cuba insists on general and complete disarmament with strict, effective international control, prioritizing the total elimination of nuclear weapons. Cuba condemns double standards, allowing some states to justify nuclear arsenals while denying peaceful technology to others. We categorically oppose NATO’s military and nuclear doctrines, which destabilize the world and undermine disarmament. Cuba asserts that nuclear security cannot be separated from humanitarian safety and environmental protection. Any misuse or accident with radioactive material poses devastating, long- term hazards to human health, ecosystems, and especially developing nations ill-equipped to respond. The disasters at Chernobyl and Fukushima demonstrate the catastrophic consequences of weak safeguards and oversight. These events prove that human life must be the core aim of all nuclear security efforts. Cuba calls on all states to reinforce global nuclear security through genuine cooperation, transparency, and a rejection of political manipulation. Peaceful nuclear technology must benefit humanity, not serve as a tool of power. Cuba believes a better world is possible: one based on peace, equality, and shared security. | |
| Committee: | IAEA |
| Topic: | Strengthening the Agency's activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications |
| Paper text: | |
| The Republic of Cuba reaffirms its commitment to the peaceful use and advancement of
nuclear science
and technology. Cuba views nuclear applications as essential tools for sustainable
development, health,
agriculture, and environmental protection.
Through the Country Programme Framework for 2024–2030, Cuba is deepening its partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to expand cooperation in cancer treatment, food security, water management, and ecosystem protection. Nuclear and isotopic techniques, such as food irradiation, pest control, and radiological diagnostics, are vital for improving the quality of life and national development. Cuba insists nuclear security must never be a pretext for restrictions on scientific progress. Developing nations are entitled to equal access to peaceful nuclear technologies and the necessary training for safe use. Cuba calls for fair, predictable, and depoliticized IAEA Technical Cooperation Fund resources, as well as expanded capacity-building and technology transfer for the Global South. Cuba stands firmly in support of global non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament, emphasizing that security, safeguards, and cooperation are inseparable foundations of peace and sustainable progress. As a founding party to the Treaty of Tlatelolco, Cuba actively fosters South–South and regional collaboration to ensure nuclear science serves humanity. Cuba believes that the peaceful atom must always serve life, development, and dignity—never destruction. | |
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