00:00We convened today a little less than four months since we first met in this hall
00:07to debate today's agenda item titled Necessity of Ending the Economic, Commercial and Financial
00:16Embargo Imposed by the United States of America Against Cuba. Reconvening on the same agenda item
00:26again indicates that instead of the situation improving, it has worsened as a result of additional
00:36restrictive measures imposed by the United States against Cuba.
00:44The Government of South Africa remains concerned about the enduring economic, commercial and
00:51financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba.
00:57These unilateral economic sanctions are the foremost impediment to Cuba's implementation
01:05of the Sustainable Development Goals including its socio-economic and political aspirations.
01:14The embargo continues to exacerbate the socio-economic hardships of the Cuban people, particularly
01:21its most vulnerable. The continued designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism by
01:27the United States, together with the full application of the Helms-Burton Act, further hinders Cuba's
01:36economic, commercial and financial relations with other countries.
01:40Since the application of the US's Executive Order 14380 in January this year, which imposed
01:51an oil and fuel blockade on Cuba, the effects of the embargo have become worse.
01:56In the last nine months, Cuba has received only one oil tanker whose cargo of 100,000 tons of
02:05crude oil represents only a limited fraction of Cuba's energy needs.
02:12This has led to further knock-on effects on Cuba's economy, especially its national health priorities
02:19and operational capacities of its hospitals affecting women, infants and children the most.
02:27Mr. President, the prevailing situation in Cuba should concern us all, particularly from a
02:35humanitarian perspective, given the deteriorating socio-economic situation in the country
02:42and its impact on the health and livelihoods of the Cuban people.
02:48Consistent with the decision of this august Assembly against the embargo imposed against Cuba,
02:57we have a duty to send a strong message for an end to the human suffering that the Cuban people
03:05are enduring due to the embargo.
03:09To ameliorate the situation in Cuba, South Africa calls for the following.
03:15First, the resumption of stalled talks between Cuba and the United States.
03:22Second, the termination of the economic, commercial and financial embargo, including Executive Order 14380.
03:32Third, the removal of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
03:38Fourth, the suspension of the application of the Helms-Barton Act.
03:44In conclusion, South Africa reaffirms its enduring friendship and solidarity with Cuba and its steadfast commitment
03:54to multilateralism, international law, as well as the sovereign right of all nations to pursue their chosen path of development.
04:05I thank you.
