00:00...from Singapore that is speaking on behalf of the Association of Asian Nations.
00:06Comprising Brunei Darusschum, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, my own country Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam
00:24to express our support for the draft resolution contained in document A-81-L-5 on the necessity of ending
00:35the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against the Republic of Cuba.
00:45The ASEAN Member States acknowledge and welcome His Excellency Bruno Rodriguez Paria, the Foreign Minister of Cuba, for his presence
00:54and for his update on the latest developments in Cuba.
01:01ASEAN also aligns itself with the statements to be delivered later by Uganda on behalf of the non-aligned movement
01:09and by Uruguay on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
01:14Mr. President, since 1992, the General Assembly has consistently adopted this resolution by an overwhelming majority.
01:26The strong support of the UN membership for this resolution for over three decades reflects the international community's steadfast commitments
01:36to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter,
01:40namely sovereign equality, non-interference, non-intervention and the peaceful settlement of disputes to preserve international peace, security and justice.
01:55ASEAN has taken a consistent position in calling for the lifting of the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba
02:06as soon as possible.
02:08We reiterate our firm conviction that differences between states should be resolved through meaningful dialogue and engagement rather than confrontation
02:19or isolation.
02:21This is the foundation of the multilateral, rules-based system, which all states have an interest and a duty to
02:31uphold.
02:32The latest report of the Secretary General, A-81-76, paints a troubling picture of the worsening socioeconomic situation in
02:44Cuba.
02:44The restrictions from the embargo have compounded the difficulties facing key sectors of the Cuban economy and has impacted the
02:54country's economic and social development.
02:58ASEAN is particularly concerned about the impact of the embargo on the Cuban people, especially their access to food, medicines
03:09and other essential supplies.
03:12Cuba's health system faces shortages of over 60% of essential medicines, while food production has declined by more than
03:2450% over the past five years.
03:28The restrictions on fuel exports to Cuba have also aggravated the country's ongoing energy crisis.
03:37The shortages have disrupted essential services, including health care, education, water supplies, food distribution and transportation.
03:48As of March 2026, almost 100,000 surgeries had not yet been performed nationwide, including more than 11,000 procedures
04:02for children.
04:05The Secretary General's report also documented delays in delivering humanitarian assistance following Hurricane Melissa due to fuel shortages.
04:14These add to the daily hardships faced by ordinary Cubans.
04:20Mr. President, it has been 34 years since this General Assembly first adopted this resolution.
04:28ASEAN joins the other members of this Assembly in reiterating our call for the United States to lift its unilateral
04:38economic, commercial and financial embargo
04:42against Cuba as soon as possible and to delist Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism.
04:50ASEAN calls on both sides to engage in an open and constructive dialogue that is underpinned by mutual respect and
04:59common interests.
05:00I thank you very much, Mr. President.
05:04Thank you
