Cuba calls to take action against climate change

During the Intergovernmental Meeting for the Preparation of a Declaration of Ethical Principles in Relation to Climate Change, the Cuban delegation highlighted not only the environmental impact of the phenomenon but also its socioeconomic consequences

On June 29, during the UNESCO Intergovernmental Meeting for the Preparation of a Declaration of Ethical Principles in Relation to Climate Change, Cuba called on member states to take action to combat the phenomenon, highlighting its serious implications for the planet, according to diplomatic sources cited by Prensa Latina.

The Cuban delegation also stressed that beyond the environmental consequences, climate change has a socioeconomic impact.

According to a statement by the island’s delegation, Cuba “will work to ensure that fundamental principles such as solidarity, justice, international cooperation, as well as shared but differentiated responsibility, are recognized in this context.”

The delegation, led by Cuba’s Ambassador to UNESCO, Dulce Buergo, also emphasized the legacy of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, and his unwavering commitment to protecting the environment.

In this regard, the representative cited fragments of his historic speech at the Río de Janeiro 1992 Earth Summit, during which he warned that the failure to take timely and appropriate action would lead to the extinction of the human species.
The Intergovernmental Meeting began on June 27, and is set to conclude tomorrow, June 30, at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

During the inauguration of the event, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, Nada Al-Nashif, highlighted the importance of this consultative and inclusive process, aimed at drawing up a declaration of key principles which respond to the current situation.

She went on to praise the efforts undertaken to define principles toward supporting policies to tackle climate change.

Digital news staff, Granma

June 29, 2017