00:06Mr. President, Distinguished Delegate, Sierra Leone aligns itself with the
00:11statements delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the Group of 77 in China, Uganda on
00:18behalf of the non-aligned movement, and Namibia on behalf of the African group.
00:25I acknowledge the esteemed presence of His Excellency Mr. Bruno Rodriguez Parilla, Minister
00:34for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba.
00:38Mr. President, few days ago, we celebrated United Nations Day, marking 81 years since
00:46the Charter of the United Nations entered into force.
00:51In his message on that occasion, the Secretary General called on us to reaffirm the values
00:59that are given back to the United Nations, that is, dialogue over division and cooperation
01:06over confrontation, and to stand firm in a resolve to uphold the United Nations Charter
01:12and international law.
01:16The United Nations is not a club of the like-minded.
01:21It brings together states of differing systems, interests, and views.
01:26And that is precisely why dialogue, consensus building, and the Charter principles of respect
01:33for international law and the peaceful settlement of dispute remain indispensable.
01:41It has been said that the United Nations exists not for the powerful, but for all the others.
01:48It is those others, small states, that rely most on the principles of the Charter.
01:55Those principles must therefore apply consistently and to all.
02:00In that spirit, Sierra Leone, as a friend and bilateral partner of both Cuba and the United
02:08States of America, encourages good faith dialogue between the two.
02:13Our friendship with both, however, does not change the fundamental principles at stake in the embargo.
02:21Mr. President Sierra Leone therefore reiterates its principled and unequivocal call for an end
02:28to the economic, commercial, and financial embargo imposed against Cuba.
02:34The prolonged continuation of these measures raises serious concerns regarding sovereign equality,
02:42non-intervention in the internal affairs of state, the freedom of international trade and navigation,
02:48as reflected in the 1970 Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning friendly relations
02:56and cooperation among states.
02:59Its extraterritorial effects on third countries and their nationals remain particularly
03:04concerning.
03:06The humanitarian consequences also demand our attention.
03:10The Secretary General's 2026 report highlights acute fuel shortages, repeated nationwide power
03:16outages, and serious disruptions to healthcare, water, sanitation, and other essential services,
03:23which weigh most heavily on women, children, older persons, and those requiring continuous medical
03:30care.
03:31Further measures introduced in 2026, including the tariff mechanism targeting countries supplying
03:39oil to Cuba and expanded sanctions risk for foreign personnel and financial institutions,
03:46risk-deepening desert ships, with consequences extending beyond the immediate parties concerned.
03:54Sireland calls for the lifting of the embargo and for renewed constructive engagement between the United States and Cuba, in
04:01accordance with the Charter, including Article 33, with a view to normalizing
04:07relationship and building confidence.
04:11Sustained dialogue, respect for sovereignty, and international cooperation offer a better path than prolonged economic confrontation.
04:21Sireland stands ready to support all efforts that advance peaceful coexistence and the well-being of the Cuba
04:28of people.
04:29I thank you.
04:31I thank you.
04:32I thank you.
