STATEMENT BY
H.E. MR. WAN AZNAINIZAM YUSRI WAN ABDUL RASHID
REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA
AT THE PLENARY MEETING
ON NECESSITY OF ENDING THE ECONOMIC, COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL EMBARGO IMPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AGAINST CUBA [ITEM 38]
NEW YORK, 29 – 30 OCTOBER 2024
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Mr. President,
Malaysia aligns itself with statements delivered by Singapore on behalf of Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Cameroon on behalf of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Uganda on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Iraq on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
Mr. President,
2. Malaysia strongly opposes the imposition of unilateral coercive measures against any country, including Cuba. Malaysia views such measures are contrary to international law, international humanitarian law, the UN Charter and the norms and principles of peaceful relations among States. Malaysia also believes that such unilateral coercive measures have severely restricted Cuba’s ability to improve its economy and provide the necessary basic needs for its people.
3. The economic, commercial and financial embargo by the United States against Cuba for the past 62 years had taken a toll on the country and its people. Between March 2023 to February 2024, the blockade had incurred more than USD5 billion in losses for Cuba, rising year after year. Due to its constraining nature, on top of the loses, the embargo is affecting the acquisition of essential goods like food, medical supplies and fuels; acquisition of other necessities like parts and equipment needed for transportation system, communication system, building infrastructures or farming; and also, the acquisition of important services from outside of the country. These shortages and restrictions further impacted the lives and well beings of the Cuban people. The adverse impact of the embargo is unfortunately, further compounded by the inclusion of Cuba in the list of State Sponsors of terrorism by the United States.
Mr. President,
4. It is evident that there is an urgent need to remove the unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States on Cuba. Year after year, the resolution “Necessity of Ending the Economic, Commercial and Financial Embargo Imposed by The United States of America Against Cuba” was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly with overwhelming majority, and last year on 2 November 2023, supported by 187 Member States. There must be a meaning to this!
5. Malaysia has always and will continue to support this resolution which calls on the United States to end its unilateral economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba. Immediately and unconditionally. Malaysia calls for the return of the rights of the Cuban people. The rights to food, to health, to education, to development. We call for the equitable rights to a better future.
6. Malaysia also calls for the immediate removal of Cuba from the list of State Sponsors of terrorism. Malaysia calls for the United States and Cuba to resolve their differences through peaceful means, and avoid any actions that could be detrimental to regional peace and stability. Malaysia encourages both the United States and Cuba to immediately normalise ties and pursue renewed economic engagement.
I thank you.