Havana, June 13, 2023. The year 2023 was characterized by a complex international scenario, threats to international peace and security, growing polarization and inequality, as well as the permanence of an unjust and unsustainable international economic order.
The reinforcement of the extraterritorial application of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States government against Cuba marked the period significantly, along with the consequences of the conflicts, which generate economic and social instability, disruption of commercial flows and interruptions in the global supply chain, artificial price increases and other consequences that especially affect developing countries like ours.
Despite this, Cuba advanced in its foreign policy objectives and maintained its traditional activism and prestige in international and regional organizations and forums.
In the face of these difficulties, foreign policy has paid special attention to economic diplomacy, to the contribution from the foreign service to support the management of obtaining fuel, parts and pieces for the electrical system and renewable energy, food, medicine, funds and other essential inputs for improving the difficult socioeconomic conditions.
The assistance of Cuban diplomacy to multiple international forums, to different events and to numerous meetings in various countries has not only been aimed at strengthening our political relations, but very particularly at achieving commercial and financial exchanges and the development of economic possibilities that make it possible to face the difficult situation that the country is going through and that we Cubans are suffering.
At the same time, we continued to develop bilateral ties and by the end of 2023, Cuba had diplomatic relations with 195 States. Of these, 190 are full members of the United Nations and 5 are not (Palestine, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, the Cook Islands, the Holy See and Niue).
Additionally, we have diplomatic relations with the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta, and also with the European Union. This brings the total to 197.
The isolation of the United States in its hostile policy towards Cuba was ratified when our resolution against the blockade was adopted at the United Nations for the 31st time. The text received, once again, the support of the overwhelming majority of the international community, and was adopted by 187 votes in favor, 2 against (the United States and Israel) and 1 abstention (Ukraine).
The economic, commercial and financial blockade remained the main obstacle to understanding and relations with the United States. The effects of this intensified policy were accompanied by the subversive component and the campaigns to discredit the Cuban government, in order to promote changes in our political, economic and social order. These are historical pillars that have traditionally encountered opposition and categorical rejection in the conduct of Cuba's foreign policy.
During the year, spaces for dialogue at an intermediate level with the White House and the State Department were consolidated, and the gradual, although limited, reactivation of bilateral exchanges on issues of mutual interest continued based on the 22 memoranda signed during Obama's term. The migration area was the most dynamic, while the Dialogue on Application and Compliance with the Law and a round table on economic issues were resumed.
The US policy of hostility and maximum pressure continues to be the main factor influencing Cuba's difficult economic situation. Our government denounced this interventionist and illegal policy emphatically and consistently. Various actors in the US, including some in Congress, identified this policy as the main cause of the increase in migratory flows from Cuba.
The inconsistency of keeping Cuba on the List of State Sponsors of Terrorism was directly conveyed to the Biden government, despite the repudiation by a growing number of international and also US actors. The letter from 21 congressmen stands out, demanding the removal of Cuba from the list. Also notable was the visit of a congressional delegation from Connecticut, which had meetings with counterparts from the National Assembly of People's Power.
Also notable are the statements, resolutions and letters to President Biden from the local governments of Washington DC, Berkeley, Minneapolis, Washtenaw in Michigan; from the Labor Councils of the AFL-CIO of Sacramento, Monterey Bay and San Diego-Imperial counties; a group of 160 lawyers; state legislators from New York; 120 Presbyterian churches in the United States and the letter from the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to Senator Robert Menendez, then chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The imposition of multimillion-dollar fines on 5 companies for violations of various sanctions programs, including the blockade, ratified the permanence of instruments of economic pressure in its policy against Cuba. Our government denounced this policy from bilateral and multilateral spaces, as well as the persecution of fuel supplies to Cuba, the maintenance of practically the entire Cuban business fabric on a List of Restricted Cuban Entities, the impossibility of accessing supplies with more than 10% of American components, the persecution against medical cooperation programs and the possibility of filing lawsuits in American courts under Title III of the Helms-Burton Act.
Cuban Foreign Ministry and government officials rejected other White House actions aimed at discrediting the Cuban government, such as the politicized treatment in thematic reports of the State Department, Cuba's permanence in Level 3 of the Trafficking in Persons Report, the claim that the country does not cooperate with U.S. "anti-terrorist efforts," the negative assessment of human rights, the manipulation of the situation of people facing sentences for the commission of crimes associated with the events of July 11, 2021, or the placement in the category of countries of particular concern in religious matters.
Dialogue with various sectors of American society was ongoing. The most visible moment was President Miguel Díaz-Canel's visit to New York, where he paid tribute to Malcolm X and Father Félix Varela, held exchanges with American and Cuban scientists, businessmen, academics, artists, religious leaders, and a multitudinous meeting with charitable organizations.
Of note was the meeting in April in Havana between the Cuban Academy of Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the former's subsequent visit to the United States to deepen scientific collaboration.
A report from the United States intelligence community emerged, in which it ruled out that the symptoms of diplomatic and consular officials in Havana were the result of a campaign led by an adversary of Washington, disassociating the alleged health incidents from the action of a foreign enemy. The Cuban government reiterated its willingness and desire to move towards a more constructive and respectful relationship with the United States, without undermining Cuban sovereignty and independence.
Cuba's ties with Latin America and the Caribbean were based on the defense of the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of States and the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in January 2024.
Regional consensus against the blockade was restored and public rejection of the inclusion of Cuba on the list of States sponsoring terrorism grew. These themes were repeatedly present in the speeches of several Latin American and Caribbean political leaders (twenty Heads of Delegation of Latin America and the Caribbean in their speeches at the UNGA), as well as in the final declarations of international events such as the VII CELAC Summit, the IX Summit of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and the III CELAC-EU Summit.
Another of the main results of Cuba's foreign policy towards the countries of the region in 2023 was the participation of 14 of them at the level of President or Prime Minister in the G77 and China Summit. Two others were represented by their vice presidents, five by their foreign ministers and two by other ministers. Mexico attended at the Foreign Minister level, as a guest country.
In this context, the Cuban President held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Honduras, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the heads of CARICOM delegations and the Mexican Foreign Minister. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero received his counterpart from Guyana, while the Foreign Ministers of Cuba and Jamaica had a meeting.
Likewise, several governments in the region were represented at the ministerial level in the meetings of High Authorities of Tourism, Culture, Education, Environment, Science and Innovation of the G77 and China, held in Havana.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel made an official visit to Campeche, Mexico (February 11), where he was awarded the Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle, the highest decoration granted by the State of that country. He also made the first official visit of a Cuban Head of State to Belize (February 12), during which memoranda of understanding for cooperation in cultural matters, migration alerts, security information and water resources were signed.
The Cuban president also headed the delegations of our country to the VII CELAC Summit, the XXVIII Ibero-American Summit, the III CELAC-EU Summit, the virtual Summit against inflation and the Palenque Summit on migration.
Army General Raúl Castro Ruz headed the Cuban delegation to the central event in Venezuela, for the 10th anniversary of the death of Commander Hugo Chávez.
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez participated as a special guest in the IX Meeting of the Puebla Group, whose Final Declaration reflected the denunciation of the application of unilateral coercive measures against Cuba and Venezuela. For her part, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Josefina Vidal, headed the delegation to the IX Summit of the ACS, the VII International Cooperation Conference and the XXVIII Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of this subregional mechanism, held in Guatemala, as well as to the 11th United Kingdom-Caribbean Forum, in Jamaica, as an Observer Country.
In Cuba, the official visit of the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was received, in whose framework three agreements were signed in the areas of health, agriculture, science, technology and the environment.
Also visiting Cuba were Bolivian President Luis Arce Catacora, Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez, who led a large delegation from her country, Guest of Honor at the 31st International Book Fair in Havana; the foreign ministers of Panama, Janaina Tewaney, and the Dominican Republic, Roberto Álvarez; the President of the Senate of Bolivia, Andrónico Rodríguez; the Minister of Culture of El Salvador, Mariemm Pleitez; as well as the chief advisor to the President of Brazil, Celso Amorín, and a delegation from the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), headed by the first vice president of the organization, Diosdado Cabello.
Important political figures from the region participated in the Congress on the New International Economic Order, organized by the Progressive International and held in Havana, within the framework of the V International Conference “For the Balance of the World,” with the presence of the foreign ministers of Saint Lucia, Alva Baptiste; Saint Kitts and Nevis, Denzil Douglas and Panama, Janaina Tewaney. The Vice President of Bolivia, David Choquehuanca, in addition to participating in this event, presented his book "Geopolitics of Living Well" at the ISRI.
Political Consultation meetings were held with Chile, El Salvador, Bolivia and Colombia. Migration talks also took place with Ecuador and the Dominican Republic.
Cuba's contribution to peace in Colombia was recognized as guarantor and alternative venue for the Peace Dialogue Table between the Colombian Government and the ELN. The Third Cycle of the Dialogue Table between both parties was held in Havana, with President Gustavo Petro participating in the closing ceremony and important agreements being signed. Both delegations issued a joint statement, in which they thanked Cuba for hosting the Third Cycle and asked the US Government to stop considering our country as a State sponsor of terrorism. Cuba participated in the second and fourth cycles of negotiations, in Mexico and Venezuela, respectively.
The countries of the Caribbean Community maintained their activism in rejection of the blockade policy imposed by the United States, which was ratified in the declarations of the 44th Regular Meeting and the 45th Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, as well as in the meeting of these with the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris.
Cuban medical collaboration was maintained in 12 Caribbean nations and one non-independent territory, as well as in Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina and Uruguay.
With the European Union, the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (ADPC) was maintained as a reference for relations with the community bloc, which reached its 35th anniversary. Its third cycle of implementation concluded with the holding of the Joint Council in Havana, co-chaired by the High Representative, Josep Borrell. Progress was made in ties with the European Parliament, in the field of cooperation. The holding of the fourth round of political dialogue on Human Rights between Cuba and the European Union, with the visit of the EU Special Representative for these issues, Eamon Gilmore, demonstrated the willingness of both parties to address these issues in an atmosphere of respect, reciprocity and a constructive spirit.
The physical participation of the Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, in the Intergovernmental Council of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) held in Sochi, contributed to the advancement of Cuba's relations with the member countries of that organization.
With Russia, the high level of political dialogue was maintained, which allowed for the creation of better conditions to advance new projects in the economic, commercial and cooperation spheres. The visits to that country by the President of the ANPP, Esteban Lazo, and by the Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, as well as to Cuba by the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, the Vice President of the Government Dmitri Chernyshenko and the President of the DUMA, Viacheslav Volodin, stand out. High-level visits were made to Serbia, Italy, the Holy See, Portugal, Belgium and Turkey, which contributed to strengthening relations with these countries and confirmed the potential for advancing economic, trade and cooperation ties. Visits were received from the Foreign Ministers of Hungary and Switzerland and from the special envoy of Pope Francis. In the case of Turkey, a Reciprocal Promotion and Protection Agreement for Investments (APPRI) and an agreement to avoid double taxation were negotiated.
Political dialogue with Belarus was deepened and progress was made in identifying projects in the economic-commercial field, which was helped by the exchange of high-level visits such as that of the Belarusian Foreign Minister to Cuba and that of Prime Minister Manuel Marrero to Minsk.
A Political Dialogue and Bilateral Cooperation Agreement was signed with the United Kingdom during the visit to Cuba of the Minister for the Americas and the Caribbean of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, David Rutley.
Inter-American Political Consultations were also held.
Also visiting Cuba were Bolivian President Luis Arce Catacora, Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez, who led a large delegation from her country, Guest of Honor at the 31st International Book Fair in Havana; the foreign ministers of Panama, Janaina Tewaney, and the Dominican Republic, Roberto Álvarez; the President of the Senate of Bolivia, Andrónico Rodríguez; the Minister of Culture of El Salvador, Mariemm Pleitez; as well as the chief advisor to the President of Brazil, Celso Amorín, and a delegation from the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), headed by the first vice president of the organization, Diosdado Cabello.
Important political figures from the region participated in the Congress on the New International Economic Order, organized by the Progressive International and held in Havana, within the framework of the V International Conference “For the Balance of the World,” with the presence of the foreign ministers of Saint Lucia, Alva Baptiste; Saint Kitts and Nevis, Denzil Douglas and Panama, Janaina Tewaney. The Vice President of Bolivia, David Choquehuanca, in addition to participating in this event, presented his book "Geopolitics of Living Well" at the ISRI.
Political Consultation meetings were held with Chile, El Salvador, Bolivia and Colombia. Migration talks also took place with Ecuador and the Dominican Republic.
Cuba's contribution to peace in Colombia was recognized as guarantor and alternative venue for the Peace Dialogue Table between the Colombian Government and the ELN. The Third Cycle of the Dialogue Table between both parties was held in Havana, with President Gustavo Petro participating in the closing ceremony and important agreements being signed. Both delegations issued a joint statement, in which they thanked Cuba for hosting the Third Cycle and asked the US Government to stop considering our country as a State sponsor of terrorism. Cuba participated in the second and fourth cycles of negotiations, in Mexico and Venezuela, respectively.
The countries of the Caribbean Community maintained their activism in rejection of the blockade policy imposed by the United States, which was ratified in the declarations of the 44th Regular Meeting and the 45th Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, as well as in the meeting of these with the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris.
Cuban medical collaboration was maintained in 12 Caribbean nations and one non-independent territory, as well as in Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina and Uruguay.
With the European Union, the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (ADPC) was maintained as a reference for relations with the community bloc, which reached its 35th anniversary. Its third cycle of implementation concluded with the holding of the Joint Council in Havana, co-chaired by the High Representative, Josep Borrell. Progress was made in ties with the European Parliament, in the field of cooperation. The holding of the fourth round of political dialogue on Human Rights between Cuba and the European Union, with the visit of the EU Special Representative for these issues, Eamon Gilmore, demonstrated the willingness of both parties to address these issues in an atmosphere of respect, reciprocity and a constructive spirit.
The physical participation of Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz in the Intergovernmental Council of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) held in Sochi contributed to the advancement of Cuba's relations with the member countries of that organization.
The high level of political dialogue with Russia was maintained, which allowed for the creation of better conditions for advancing new projects in the economic, commercial and cooperation spheres. The visits to that country by the president of the ANPP, Esteban Lazo, and by the prime minister Manuel Marrero, as well as to Cuba by the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, the vice president of the Government Dmitri Chernyshenko and the president of the DUMA, Viacheslav Volodin, were highlighted.
Visits at the highest level were made to Serbia, Italy, the Holy See, Portugal, Belgium and Turkey, which contributed to strengthening relations with those countries and confirmed the potential for advancing economic, commercial and cooperation ties. Visits were received from the foreign ministers of Hungary and Switzerland and from the special envoy of Pope Francis. In the case of Turkey, a Reciprocal Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (APPRI) and an agreement to avoid double taxation were negotiated. Political dialogue with Belarus was deepened and progress was made in identifying projects in the economic-commercial field, which was helped by the exchange of high-level visits such as that of the Belarusian Foreign Minister to Cuba and that of Prime Minister Manuel Marrero to Minsk.
A Political Dialogue and Bilateral Cooperation Agreement was signed with the United Kingdom during the visit to Cuba of the Minister for the Americas and the Caribbean of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, David Rutley.
In addition, Inter-Foreign Affairs Political Consultations were held with the Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Romania, Azerbaijan and Russia, in various forms.
With Canada, political dialogue and economic ties were maintained in important sectors for our economy, including tourism, with a gradual recovery.
First-class face-to-face exchanges were held with Asia and Oceania, which allowed for the strengthening of political dialogue and the strengthening of ties of friendship and cooperation with the region. Cuba's presidency of the G-77 was also conducive to reactivating ties at the highest level, with the participation of three heads of state (Sri Lanka, Mongolia and Laos), as well as several foreign ministers and ministers in charge of science, technology and environmental issues.
Visits to Cuba were made by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Culture of India in January, by the Foreign Minister of Singapore in April and by the Head of Government of the Indian state of Kerala in June. In addition, Inter-Foreign Ministry Political Consultations were held with China, Japan, Thailand and Singapore.
With China, the meeting held between Presidents Miguel Díaz-Canel and Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in South Africa, meant an important boost for the implementation of bilateral consensus. Of high relevance, the results of the first visit to China by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero and the member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of Organization of the CPCCC, Roberto Morales, to reactivate party exchanges stood out.
Also, the first visit to Cuba in 7 years by a member of the Permanent Committee of the Political Bureau of the CC CPC, Comrade Li Xi, who traveled as the President's special envoy for the G77 and China Summit and the successful holding, after 6 years on hold, of the XXX Session of the Intergovernmental Commission.
With Vietnam, the fluid high-level exchange was maintained, with the visit to Cuba by the President of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue, in April and the visit to Vietnam by the member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of Organization of the CPCCC, Roberto Morales, in May. The visit of comrade Esteban Lazo in September, leading the Cuban delegation to the commemorations of the 50th anniversary of the visit of the Commander in Chief to the liberated territories of the South, allowed for the deepening of political dialogue and the promotion of important strategic projects in the agro-food sector. Vietnam consolidated itself as the first investor from the Asia-Oceania region in Cuba.
Likewise, progress was made in economic and commercial ties with India and the significant commercial credit line for the purchase of rice from that origin was successfully executed.
The Cuban Parliament was accepted as an Observer in the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), which is an important step towards the deepening of ties with that regional organization.
Relations with North Africa and the Middle East showed important progress, especially in the economic and commercial spheres, as well as in cooperation in the areas of health and biotechnology. The official visits of President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iran, as well as their participation in COP 28 in Dubai, were important events for the relaunching of bilateral relations, with the signing of a significant number of agreements in areas of common interest.
Also of great importance for the development of bilateral relations were the visits to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Ricardo Cabrisas.
Political Consultations between Foreign Ministries were held with Saudi Arabia. Several authorities from countries in the region visited Cuba, including the Presidents of Iran and Palestine and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and Yemen, to attend the G-77 Summit and China.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, the Cuban President's tour of Angola, Mozambique and Namibia stands out. The Cuban Vice President Salvador Valdés confirmed the level of solidarity that Cuba has in this area and the respect and gratitude for our contribution to the independence processes in this area.
The visit of Cuban Vice President Salvador Valdés to Guinea Bissau, Ghana, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Togo expanded the possibilities of exchange in areas of mutual interest, consolidating the close political ties with these nations and particularly with the African Union.
For the fourteenth consecutive time, the African Union condemned the blockade against Cuba and demanded the cessation of this policy.
The Cuban Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elio Rodríguez, made an official visit to Liberia, the Republic of the Congo, South Africa and Botswana. The First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Permanent Representative to the UN, Gerardo Peñalver, participated in the inauguration of the elected president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Political Consultations between Foreign Ministries were held with Senegal, Uganda, Gabon and South Africa.
Most of these exchanges, in addition to promoting better bilateral and multilateral relations and consensus, have included a relevant economic content, which has allowed the signing of agreements and the advancement of our priorities in the interest of economic recovery and the achievement of approved socio-economic objectives, to improve the economic and social situation.
Cuba played an active role in multilateral forums, with emphasis on the defense of the interests, priorities and needs of developing countries, as well as in support of just causes, of which Cuba is a permanent and unconditional defender. Support for the Palestinian cause and the fight for a more just and equitable democratic world order, based on International Law and the sovereign equality of States, are examples of this.
Organizations and mechanisms such as the African Union, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the Ibero-American Summit, the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), and the Group of 77 and China, among others, spoke out against the blockade.
The maintenance of Cuba on the arbitrary List of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism, issued by the United States Department of State, also generated massive international rejection. This was made clear in the documents issued by the VII CELAC Summit, the XXVIII Ibero-American Summit, the III CELAC-EU Summit, the IX ACS Summit, the Meeting of Ministers of the NAM, the IV Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends in Defense of the United Nations Charter, the XXII Political Council of ALBA and other regional and multilateral forums. At the General Debate of the High-Level Segment of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the overwhelming solidarity of the international community with Cuba was re-enacted. 44 dignitaries rejected the blockade in their speeches and 21 rejected the inclusion of our country in the spurious US List of countries that supposedly sponsor terrorism.
From the Presidency of the Group of 77 and China, Cuba contributed to the collective efforts to maintain the unity of the South and strengthen its voice, relevance and activism at the international level.
The Summit of Heads of State and Government of the G77 and China on “Current development challenges: the role of science, technology and innovation”, held in Havana on September 15 and 16, is considered successful. This is demonstrated by its results and the high level of participation, with more than 1,300 participants from 116 countries, including 31 heads of state and government and representatives of 12 organizations, agencies and programmes of the United Nations system.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez developed a broad multilateral agenda, representing Cuba and the 134 countries of the G-77 and China. He highlighted his participation in events held within the framework of the High-Level Segment of the 78th UNGA: Sustainable Development Goals Summit, High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development, General Debate of the 78th UNGA, Climate Ambition Summit and the High-Level Meeting on Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Pandemics.
The G-77 Leaders' Summit within the framework of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, chaired by Miguel Díaz-Canel, was an unprecedented event convened by our country, with relevant results for the Group, in view of the international climate negotiations.
Cuba's participation, as President of the G-77 and China, in international meetings outside the framework of the United Nations and the traditional scope of action of the Group, contributed to positioning the visions of the developing world in these spaces. The participation of President Miguel Díaz-Canel in the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact, held in France, on June 22 and 23, and the BRICS Summit, held from August 22 to 24 in South Africa, was notable.
Likewise, the participation of the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gerardo Peñalver Portal, in the Meeting of Foreign Ministers Friends of the BRICS Group, held in South Africa, on June 1 and 2, was also relevant.
Cuba's active participation and leadership in the most important events and negotiating processes was noted, including the Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement Contact Group in response to Covid-19 and on post-pandemic recovery, the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, the United Nations Conference on "Water for Sustainable Development", the Sixth Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development, the Petersberg Climate Dialogue 2023 and the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
The Group's accurate leadership and cohesion made it possible to reach the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity beyond National Jurisdiction.
A relevant result of the Cuban Presidency of the Group was the holding in Cuba of events and sectoral meetings of the G-77 and China with good results. The meetings of Ministers of Education, Culture, Tourism, Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, the Congress on the New International Economic Order and the panel of intellectuals on “The literary production of the South at the service of the development of our peoples” were highlighted.
Also notable was the presentation of a portfolio of 17 cooperation projects for the benefit of developing countries in areas such as health, education, biotechnology, combating climate change and reducing the risk of disasters, as well as the granting of 8 scholarships in the specialty of Medicine to 4 member countries of the G-77 and China.
Cuba continued to participate actively in CELAC activities under the presidency of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The participation of the Cuban delegation, headed by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, at the VII CELAC Summit, on January 24, in Buenos Aires, and the III CELAC-European Union Summit, on July 17 and 18, in Brussels, was noteworthy.
Cuba's active participation in several meetings of ministers from other sectors, held within the framework of CELAC and the Ibero-American Conference, was a clear demonstration of our genuine interest in continuing to promote dialogue and agreement, and allowed us to highlight the full validity of the postulates of the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.
Cuba was present for the fourth time at the Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights. During the exercise, the great majority of delegations recognized the country's commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. Pursuant to this commitment, successful academic visits were made by the Human Rights Council Rapporteur on Unilateral Coercive Measures and the Vice-President of the Committee on the Rights of the Child. In addition, President Miguel Díaz-Canel held a meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, to whom he conveyed the Cuban government's willingness to continue improving the legal and institutional framework in this area, as well as to promote cooperation in this field.
Particularly relevant was the election of Cuba to the Human Rights Council (2024-2026), with the largest number of votes in its regional group, which confirms the international recognition of the country's work in this area. Cuba was also elected to the UNESCO Executive Board (2025-2027), as evidence of its prestige in the field of education, science and culture. In the legal field, we signed 29 government agreements with the Dominican Republic, Argentina, Honduras, Serbia, Russia, the United Kingdom, Algeria, Namibia, Rwanda, Burundi, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, the Saudi Fund, the French Development Agency and the European Union, covering issues relevant to the Cuban people and the development of the nation.
Attention to Cubans living abroad remained a priority in the work of the Ministry and its consulates and consular offices in 123 countries.
On November 18 and 19, the IV Conference “The Nation and Emigration” was successfully held in Havana, with the participation of 371 Cuban citizens living in 57 countries. The positive moment in the ties between Cuba and its nationals abroad was highlighted, as well as how the changes in our country enable an ever-growing participation of the latter in the development of Cuba. It was a propitious occasion to take stock of what has been achieved and identify the areas that remain to be worked on together.
The actions and public outreach of Cubans living abroad in favor of the elimination of the blockade continued. Eleven National Meetings and two Regional Meetings of Cuban Residents (in Latin America and the Caribbean and in Europe) were held, which made activism and support for the nation possible.
During different working visits abroad, President Díaz-Canel held meetings with Cubans living in 14 countries, ratifying the invariable decision to strengthen and diversify ties with Cubans living in any latitude.
The holding of Migration Talks between Cuba and other countries in the region (Ecuador, Bolivia and the Dominican Republic), with positive results, allowed for strengthening cooperation mechanisms and the exchange of consular matters, with the aim of guaranteeing regular, orderly and safe migration.
Within the framework of the 39th Havana International Fair (FIHAV 2023), the VI Foreign Investment Forum was held with the participation of Cuban businessmen. For the first time at these fairs, an exhibition space was created dedicated to Cubans residing abroad who currently have business relations with their homeland or intend to establish business with Cuba.
Organizations of Cuban Residents in different countries made donations of medical supplies, powdered milk and other materials to different entities of the country's health system through different projects (Hormigas Solidarias from Spain, the Maleta Solidaria from Belgium, Puentes de Amor and the José Martí Cultural Association from the USA). “Puentes de Amor” caravans against the Blockade were also developed.
The promotion of an objective and comprehensive Country Image remained among the priorities of the Cuban Foreign Ministry's communication work. A better and more effective articulation was achieved between MINREX and national and international actors in the area of digital communication, especially in relation to the projection of the objectives of the Cuban Presidency of the Group of 77 and China.
In a year of intense international activity, due to the attendance of numerous Summit meetings, coinciding with said presidency and the responsibilities inherent to it, a wide coverage was guaranteed for official bilateral visits and the participation of President Miguel Díaz-Canel in high-level events. The Havana Summit, those held within the framework of the United Nations General Assembly and COP28, in which Cuba organized an unprecedented Summit of leaders of this important group, stand out.
The #MejorSinBloqueo campaign used innovative codes and audiovisual products with greater impact, incorporating information capsules from the speeches of the leaders who referred to the damage of this genocidal policy on the Cuban people and the inclusion of Cuba in the list of countries sponsoring terrorism, both in the general debate and in the consideration of the issue by the General Assembly.
Likewise, numerous communication components were executed with the hashtag #CubanosConDerechos to accompany the election of Cuba as a member of the Human Rights Council and the presentation of the IV Universal Periodic Report to the Council itself.
The activism of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on digital networks was maintained. The ministry ventured into the new Threads platform, based on the Cubaminrex account on Instagram, and also experimentally explored the applications that can be generated with the use of Artificial Intelligence. There were notable advances in graphic production and the use of the English language, with a marked increase in the production of 419 graphics and 198 audiovisual products. The work of monitoring and analyzing media information was systematic, with special attention to priority topics for foreign policy.
Cultural and academic work contributed positively to the results of communication management, highlighting the celebration of the V Conference for the Balance of the World. The Minrex was awarded the medal for the 25th anniversary of the Martí Program and our art gallery was included in the exhibition circuits of the capital.
The high level of coverage by the foreign press of the calls of the OACE, OSDE, institutions and political and mass organizations was significant. Likewise, the participation of the accredited media in major political, tourist and cultural events.
Cuban diplomatic missions abroad continued to contribute, in an increasing manner, to the communication, academic and cultural work of the country.
The ministry continues the implementation of the Government Management System Based on Science and Innovation, in which it has been progressively advancing. A strategy for its comprehensive development was approved, which includes the organization, missions abroad and other national institutions.
The Higher Institute of International Relations (ISRI) and the Center for International Policy Research (CIPI) contributed with their contributions to the application of science to foreign policy, through research results, publications such as scientific journals and their own editorial label. During the period, 4 research projects from various study centers continued to be developed, as part of the Sectoral Program of International Relations.
The ISRI continued to raise its teaching-educational level through the application of the study plans of the Bachelor's Degree in International Relations, the beginning of the quality certification process and through the training and raising of the academic and technical-professional level of its professors and officials of the MINREX and other OACEs of the external sector. It taught the Postgraduate Specialty in Foreign Service, a new edition of Diplomas in this subject, concluded the 2020 edition of the Master's Degree in International Relations and reformulated its Computerization Project.
The preparation of the dossier for the approval of the Doctorate program in International Relations is in its final phase and five new lines of research were approved, adding to the growing scientific work that the Institute is developing.
The process of internationalization of ISRI continued to intensify with the signing of 13 new Collaboration Agreements, including a German Foundation and a United Nations entity, which are already yielding concrete results. Interest in the academic services of the Institute is increasing.
In addition to successfully hosting the sub-venue of the International Book Fair in Havana, during the period the organization of Colloquia, Conferences, Workshops and other events of an international nature increased significantly, with the participation of professors and representatives of the academic world, as well as the diplomatic corps accredited in Cuba.
Progress was made in the Scientific University Journal Ad Hoc and in the journal Política Internacional. Of note is the publication of 5 books by the Ediciones “Política Internacional” label.
CIPI continued its contributions to the application of science in foreign policy through 6 research projects, the International Policy Scenarios, the publication of articles, presentations, thematic dossiers, 11 books and 3 issues of the journal Cuadernos de Nuestra América (CNA), as well as the participation of researchers in national radio and television programs. The journal CNA was certified by CITMA as a Scientific-Technological Serial Publication. Superior results were obtained in the management of the Sectoral Program of Science, Technology and Innovation “International Relations”.
The following events stand out: the VIII Conference of Strategic Studies and the XXI edition of the Series of Dialogues on Cuba in the Foreign Policy of the United States. The Center had greater activism at the international level, highlighting its participation in important events such as the Primakov Readings in Moscow, the III Forum of International Cooperation of the Belt and the Road in China and the XXXVI Annual Congress of the Mexican Association of International Studies (AMEI).
In the Protocol activity, 172 first-level visits were received, which tripled the number of delegations of that category received in 2022. The celebration of the G-77 and China Summit in Havana was a significant organizational effort and a recognized success.
Protocol advice was provided to 168 activities linked to the first level, among which the preparation of the visits of President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, the President of the National Assembly, Esteban Lazo, and Vice President Salvador Valdés stand out.
(Cubaminrex)
