00:04Hello, join us as we go live to Rome to the Annual Forum of the Food and Agriculture Organization Headquarters.
00:12Let's listen to statements from President Miguel Diaz-Canel.
00:16It is an honor to participate once again in the World Food Forum, organized annually by FAO, which mobilizes the
00:25international community to reflect and take action on one of the most urgent challenges of our time, ensuring the human
00:33right to food.
00:34We live in a world marked by serious global challenges that nevertheless have unequal impacts across territories.
00:44Armed conflicts, the increasingly severe effects of climate change, recurring economic crises, geopolitical tensions and growing inequalities affect developing countries
00:59more intensely and painfully,
01:01where millions of people continue to suffer from hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition.
01:10Against this backdrop, public policies aimed at transforming agri-food systems are not merely a technical priority dictated by development
01:21needs.
01:21Above all, they demand ethical and political responsibility from all governments.
01:27For Cuba, which faces the cumulative effects of more than six decades of economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by
01:38the government of the United States,
01:39a policy that severely restricts access to markets, technologies, financing, fuel and essential inputs.
01:49These challenges take on a particularly complex dimension.
01:54This situation has been further aggravated since January of this year by the imposition of a criminal energy blockade that
02:04has had a devastating impact on the national economy and the daily lives of our people.
02:09Faced with these circumstances, which directly affect agricultural production, food processing, refrigeration, transportation, distribution and logistics,
02:19Cuba has chosen to act, approaching each challenge as an opportunity to accelerate structural transformations that strengthen our resilience.
02:29We are implementing far-reaching changes to transform food systems, strengthen domestic food production, promote territorial development, innovation and advance
02:42the energy transition of local food systems.
02:47Few nations face such complex challenges while persevering in their determination to move forward, even under extraordinarily adverse conditions.
03:00Today, on behalf of our people and government, I wish to thank FAO for its support in these efforts, having
03:08mobilised nearly 100 million US dollars to help address national challenges by providing resources,
03:15knowledge, technical assistance and capacity development to strengthen strategic sectors, promote local food systems and increase resilience to climate change.
03:26Please accept our most sincere gratitude for this ongoing, respectful and supportive assistance.
03:33We also acknowledge FAO's support for our country's succession to the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, a platform that
03:45opens opportunities to mobilise resources, share knowledge and build partnerships.
03:50As part of this alliance, Cuba is currently presenting two preliminary plans with significant social added value, designed to directly
04:01benefit the country's most vulnerable populations.
04:04Both aim to strengthen food security as a fundamental pillar of development through inclusive and sustainable territorial solutions that seek
04:17to protect families facing the greatest risks, expand access to nutritious food and consolidate resilient local systems.
04:28These initiatives reaffirm our proven determination to move forward with responsibility, creativity and social commitment, even amid the most challenging
04:39circumstances.
04:41We also reaffirm our commitment to the Hand in Hand Initiative, which promotes investments based on advanced geospatial models, market
04:53analysis and strategic partnerships to accelerate the transformation of agri-food systems.
05:00We are also grateful for the opportunity to present within the framework of this World Food Forum, two new projects
05:08linked to the production value chains of high strategic importance to Cuba, coffee and honey.
05:15These sectors offer opportunities for rural development, income generation, employment, environmental sustainability and the strengthening of livelihoods for thousands of
05:27Cuban families.
05:29Cuban coffee and honey are products with a distinct identity, a rich tradition and significant growth potential.
05:37Strengthening these sectors contributes to revitalizing rural territories, improving climate resilience and expanding export opportunities.
05:46The response to food-related challenges cannot be built in isolation.
05:52No country should have to face hunger, poverty or the consequences of global crises alone.
06:00Today, more than ever, we need to strengthen multilateralism, defend the role of international organizations and promote cooperation based on
06:08solidarity, respect and shared responsibility.
06:13Distinguished colleagues, in this year marking the centenary of the birth of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, we recall
06:21this unwavering defense of the right of all peoples to development, food and a dignified life.
06:27That legacy continues to inspire Cuba's efforts to build a more just and sustainable society.
06:35It also underpins our determination to continue working alongside FAO towards more resilient, inclusive and sustainable systems.
06:46Access to food cannot be a privilege. It must be a right enjoyed by every human being. Thank you very
06:55much.
07:00We now have the honor of hearing from Her Excellency Keiko Sofia.
07:05We are live at this hour to roam to the Summit of the World Food Agriculture Organization of the United
07:11Nations,
07:12listening to statements from Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel via video.
07:16And he was addressing that Cuba has been facing with much strength in 2026 an economic blockade imposed by the
07:25United States and aggravated this year.
07:27And it has also been prompting, developing its access to food production, its ways of producing in the nation in
07:36the face of these difficult circumstances.
07:38It's strengthening as well the resilience of the Cuban people in the face of these circumstances.
07:43He was mentioning as well that Cuba is working on several plans to boost production, to guarantee the access of
07:52food for those most vulnerable populations.
07:55And he ended his speech by saying that access to food cannot be a privilege.
08:01Stay tuned with Telesur English for more information on the Summit.
