STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE 81ST SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS ON AGENDA ITEM 37:

Mr President,

1            I am honoured to address the General Assembly today on behalf of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, comprising Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, my own country Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam, to express our support for the draft resolution contained in document A/81/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”.

2            The ASEAN Member States acknowledge and welcome H.E. Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, the Foreign Minister of Cuba, for his presence. ASEAN also aligns itself with the statements to be delivered later by Uganda on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and by Uruguay on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

Mr President,

3            Since 1992, the General Assembly has consistently adopted this resolution by an overwhelming majority. The strong support of the UN membership for this resolution for over three decades reflects the international community’s steadfast commitment to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, namely sovereign equality, non-interference, non-intervention, and the peaceful settlement of disputes to preserve international peace, security, and justice.

4            ASEAN has taken a consistent position in calling for the lifting of the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba as soon as possible. We reiterate our firm conviction that differences between States should be resolved through meaningful dialogue and engagement, rather than confrontation or isolation. This is the foundation of the multilateral, rules-based system, which all States have an interest and a duty to uphold.

5            The latest report of the Secretary-General, A/81/76, paints a troubling picture of the worsening socio-economic situation in Cuba. The restrictions from the embargo have compounded the difficulties facing key sectors of the Cuban economy and has impacted the country’s economic and social development.

6            ASEAN is particularly concerned about the impact of the embargo on the Cuban people, especially their access to food, medicines, and other essential supplies. Cuba’s health system faces shortages of over 60% of essential medicines, while food production has declined by more than 50% over the past five years.

7            The restrictions on fuel exports to Cuba have also aggravated the country’s ongoing energy crisis. The shortages have disrupted essential services, including healthcare, education, water supplies, food distribution and transportation. As of March 2026, almost 100,000 surgeries had not yet been performed nationwide, including more than 11,000 procedures for children. The Secretary-General’s report also documented delays in delivering humanitarian assistance following Hurricane Melissa due to fuel shortages. These add to the daily hardships faced by ordinary Cubans.

Mr President,

8            It has been 34 years since this General Assembly first adopted this resolution. ASEAN joins the other members of this Assembly in reiterating our call for the United States to lift its unilateral economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba as soon as possible, and to delist Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. ASEAN calls on both sides to engage in an open and constructive dialogue that is underpinned by mutual respect and common interests. 

9            I thank you very much, Mr President.