STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS ON AGENDA ITEM 38, “NECESSITY OF ENDING THE ECONOMIC, COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL EMBARGO IMPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AGAINST CUBA”, 29 OCTOBER 2024

Mr President,

I am honoured to address the General Assembly on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. ASEAN expresses its support for the draft resolution A/79/L.6 on the necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba. ASEAN aligns itself with the statements to be delivered later by Uganda on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and by Iraq on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

Mr President,

The General Assembly has adopted this resolution 31 times by an overwhelming majority since 1992. Each year, nearly all UN Member States vote in favour of the resolution. This reflects the international community’s strong support for the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, namely, sovereign equality, non-interference, non-intervention, and the settlement of disputes by peaceful means to preserve international peace and security, and justice.

ASEAN too supports this resolution. ASEAN has consistently called on the United States to lift its unilateral economic, commercial, and financial embargo against Cuba. ASEAN believes that differences between States should be resolved through dialogue and engagement, rather than confrontation, isolation, or unilateral actions.

Mr President,

The Secretary-General’s report A/79/80 continues to document the devastating impact of the United States’ decades-long embargo against Cuba. The embargo has put brakes on imports, exports, financial transactions, foreign investment, remittances, and tourism. This has affected the trajectory of sustainable development across the board in Cuba and negatively impacted the lives of ordinary Cuban people. The US embargo has cost Cuba over USD 164 billion at current prices. From March 2023 to February 2024 alone, the blockade cost Cuba over USD 5 billion in losses.

The United States’ inclusion of Cuba in its list of States sponsoring terrorism in January 2021 reinforced the embargo and worsened its impacts.  The listing introduced further friction to travel. It has prevented the flow of capital to Cuba.  It has created new difficulties in Cuba’s banking and financial sector, international trade, and access to credit. The United States and foreign companies alike have been unable or unwilling to supply food, fuel, medicine, equipment, and technology to Cuba. One notable consequence is that Cuba has been prevented from making its dues for membership in international organisations, as banks refuse to process such transactions. UN agencies also reported that they struggle to operate in Cuba because of the embargo.

More critically, Cuba’s ability to provide basic living conditions for its people has been hurt. The Secretary-General’s report describes the pervasive, substantial, and negative socioeconomic and environmental impacts of the embargo and listing on ordinary Cubans. Cuba had been one of the most successful countries in attaining the Millennium Development Goals. The embargo hinders and threatens to undo the significant progress Cuba has made towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The embargo has also strained Cuba’s ability to better prepare for extreme weather events, which have become particularly pressing especially with alarming numbers of hurricanes devastating the Caribbean. As developing countries are already struggling in the “perfect storm” of crises, those with the ability to help should refrain from creating further challenges and obstacles. 

Mr President,

It has been 32 years. It is time for a reset. ASEAN encourages both sides to build a civilised and respectful relationship, notwithstanding their differences. ASEAN adds its voice to the chorus of this Assembly, calling first, for the United States to end its unilateral economic, commercial, and financial embargo against Cuba as soon as possible. Second, for Cuba to be removed from the United States’ list of State sponsors of terrorism. Third, for relations between the United States and Cuba to be normalised, and for both countries to engage in constructive dialogue underpinned by mutual respect. 

Thank you very much for your attention.

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