00:00President of the General Assembly for convening this debate and aligns itself with the statement
00:05delivered on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, the Group of 7-7 and China, and the African
00:11Group, and wishes to make the following additional remarks in its national capacity.
00:17We welcome the presence of His Excellency Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parilla, Minister
00:23of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, and thank the Secretary General for his report.
00:28For more than three decades, the General Assembly has consistently called for an end to the
00:35economic, commercial, and financial embargo against Cuba.
00:40Angolan reiterates its principal support for this call, expressing deep concern about the
00:46embargoes, humanitarian, and socioeconomic consequences, particularly its impact on access
00:53to essential goods, medicines, energy, technology, and development opportunities.
01:00These restrictions also undermine Cuba's efforts to achieve sustainable development goals and
01:08constrain the legitimate international trade and cooperation.
01:13Mr. President, addressing the 81st Session of the General Assembly in September 2026, His Excellency
01:22John Manuel Gonçalves Lorenzo, President of the Republic of Angola, reaffirmed, and I quote,
01:29considering that embargo is the main cause of the dire situation facing Cuba and its people,
01:36and that it is inhumane, unjust, and contrary to the principles and norms of international law,
01:43we once again call for the end to the embargo against Cuba, end of quote.
01:50For Angola, this position also reflects a profound historical responsibility.
01:56We will always remember Cuba's contribution to the liberation of Southern Africa,
02:01particular developments leading to New York Accords on 22nd December 1988, Namibia's independence,
02:12and the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa.
02:15We equally recognize Cuba's long-standing solidarity in health, education, and human development,
02:23which has benefited countless communities across Africa.
02:29Mr. President, while reaffirming our opposition to the embargo and the support for Cuba's removal
02:36from the United States list of state sponsors of terrorism,
02:41Angola believes that the international community must move beyond the persistence of political differences
02:48towards practical solutions.
02:52Geographical proximity should become a bridge for cooperation,
02:55rather than a permanent source of confrontation.
02:59At the time of growing geopolitical tension, we need renewed political courage,
03:06diplomatic creativity, and responsible leadership
03:09to overcome long-standing disagreement between states.
03:15Dialogue is not a concession, and political compromise is not a sign of weakness.
03:28Angola, therefore, encouraged the United States and Cuba to renew direct and constructive political engagement,
03:36aimed at progressively normalizing their bilateral relations.
03:40Such engagement should be guided by sovereign equality, mutual respect, non-interference,
03:48and recognition of legitimate national concerns.
03:51We encourage both countries to explore practical confidence-building measures,
03:57facilitate humanitarian access and legitimate commercial transactions,
04:02and identify opportunities for cooperation in public health, education, energy, disaster preparedness,
04:11and sustainable development.
04:13A sustained diplomatic process could progressively address outstanding differences,
04:19restore confidence, and establish a framework for mutual beneficial economic
04:25and people-to-people relations.
04:27Angola's own experience of peace and national reconciliation reinforce our conviction
04:33that even the most difficult disagreements can be overcome through dialogue,
04:40political compromise, and a shared commitment to a better future.
04:45Mr. President, our collective responsibility must extend beyond managing differences.
04:52We should create conditions to overcome them and transform political disagreements
04:59into opportunities for peace and cooperation.
05:03Angola reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the embargo,
05:09and will vote in favor of the draft resolution.
05:12We encourage renewed diplomatic efforts towards peaceful coexistence
05:18and the progressive normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States.
05:23Let us replace confrontation with dialogue, isolation with engagement,
05:28and political mistrust with practical cooperation.
05:32This is the constructive, principled, and forward-looking multilateralism
05:38that Angola advocates firmly anchored in the United Nations Charter and international law.
05:45I thank you, Mr. President.
05:46Thank you, Mr. President.
05:48Thank you, Mr. President.
05:49Thank you, Mr. President.
