STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS ON AGENDA ITEM 38: “NECESSITY OF ENDING THE ECONOMIC, COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL EMBARGO IMPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AGAINST CUBA”, 1 NOVEMBER 2023

Mr President,

1 I am honoured to address the General Assembly on behalf of the ten Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, to express our support for the draft resolution contained in A/78/L.5 on the necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against the Republic of Cuba. ASEAN also aligns itself with the statements to be delivered later by Azerbaijan on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, and by Uganda on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

Mr President,

2 The General Assembly has consistently adopted this resolution by an overwhelming majority since it was tabled in 1992. This is also the eighth year that ASEAN has made a statement at the General Assembly urging the United States to lift its economic, commercial, and financial embargo against Cuba as soon as possible. Each year, almost all Member States, including ASEAN, have stood for the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, namely sovereign equality, non-interference, and non-intervention. We have also reiterated that differences between states should be resolved through dialogue and engagement, not confrontation or isolation.

3 The Secretary-General’s reports, the latest of which is contained in A/78/84, continue to document the severe and punishing impact of the United States’ embargo against Cuba. Six decades of the embargo have cost Cuba trillions of dollars. From 1 March 2022 to 28 February 2023, the blockade cost Cuba an estimated US$4.87 billion in losses. The report stated that “the blockade has had an undeniable impact on the quality of life and on the services provided to the population”. For example, US and foreign companies have declined or been unable to supply much-needed medicines and equipment to Cuba. The Secretary-General’s report cited various US private initiatives to mitigate this, and observed that the blockade-imposed barriers to healthcare cooperation are “contrary to the will of the people of the United States”. Yet it is unfortunate that 80 percent of Cuba’s current population has only known Cuba under the blockade.

4 Furthermore, the US’ decision to place Cuba on the list of State sponsors of terrorism in January 2021, in the words of the Secretary-General's report, “on the basis of inconsistent arguments and without evidence”, not only undermines the legitimacy of this wider global fight. This has also needlessly exacerbated the negative effects of the embargo on Cuba by deterring numerous companies and financial entities from engaging Cuba and providing services to its citizens. For example, the report noted that dozens of banks have suspended their operations with Cuba.

5 It goes without saying, Mr President, that the embargo also hinders Cuba’s commitment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Secretary-General’s report stated that “the embargo affects opportunities for national and local development and creates economic hardship for the population” and “has an impact on human development in general”. At a time when the world has already fallen behind on the SDGs, powerful States should refrain from creating further obstacles to sustainable development.

Mr President,

6 As the world faces pressing global challenges that require international cooperation, we encourage the United States and Cuba to engage in constructive dialogue, underpinned by mutual respect. ASEAN joins other members of this Assembly to urge the United States to end its economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba as soon as possible; and to delist Cuba as a State sponsor of terrorism; and to take steps towards normalising relations; and to use its influence to create a rising tide to lift all boats.

7 I thank you very much for your attention.

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