In his address to the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, President Charles Savarin of Dominica reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering solidarity with the international community’s call for the removal of the long-standing economic blockade imposed on the Republic of Cuba by the United States of America (USA). This embargo has remained in place for six decades and is considered one of the most enduring trade embargoes in modern history.
The economic sanctions prevent American businesses, as well as those organized under U.S. law or predominantly owned by American citizens, from engaging in trade with Cuban entities. The embargo has inflicted significant damage on the Cuban economy, resulting in substantial losses in trade revenue and opportunities.
President Savarin stressed Dominica’s continued support for the global consensus calling for an end to this economic blockade. He highlighted the remarkable vote in November 2022, where an overwhelming 185 countries out of 187 voted to condemn the embargo, with only the United States and Ukraine abstaining.
Savarin emphasized that the international community must persist in condemning this long-standing violation until the embargo is lifted, as it has inflicted severe hardships on ordinary Cuban citizens for over six decades.
Shifting focus, President Savarin turned to the challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDs) over the past 30 years. SIDs have advocated for resilient building measures given their inherent vulnerabilities and the increasing frequency and magnitude of global shocks. However, the lack of sufficient assistance from development partners and international financial institutions has compelled SIDs to resort to borrowing, resulting in high repayment costs and unsustainable debt levels for their fragile economies.
To address these issues, Dominica wholeheartedly supports the multi-dimensional vulnerability index, which aims to secure the urgently needed financing. Additionally, Dominica has pledged its full support and participation in the upcoming SIDs conference scheduled to be held in Antigua and Barbuda in 2024.
The 78th session of the UNGA revolves around the theme “Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals Towards Peace, Prosperity, Progress, and Sustainability for All.” It serves as a platform for nations to address critical global challenges and seek collaborative solutions.
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