The island faces great challenges and obstacles to achieve Sustainable Development, Cuban diplomat Marlen Redondo stressed while speaking at a session of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), taking place in Vienna.

To our double condition of small island developing state and middle-income country are added the challenges due to the international epidemiological situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, stressed the third secretary of the Cuban embassy in this country.

Cuba suffers the effects of being subjected to the most unjust, severe and prolonged unilateral sanctions applied against any State: the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States for 60 years, she added.

Such siege was unprecedentedly tightened by the previous US administration of Donald Trump (2017-2021) in the epicenter of the pandemic, without any change to date, the official argued.

Despite this, Cuba continues with progress in its economic, social and environmental development and reinforce its efforts in achieving sustainable recovery, she stressed.

According to Redondo, these aspirations are based on the political will of the Cuban state and people, the knowledge of its professionals and the importance given to partnerships for development.

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