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DECLARATION OF HAVANA (SYNOPSIS)
Integration within diversity
In the Declaration of Havana, issued at the
conclusion of the 2nd Community of Latin
American and Caribbean States Summit, the 33
dignitaries in attendance representing member
countries, emphasized that within two years of the
founding of CELAC, a space has been constructed “of
dialogue, of political agreement which unites us and
makes possible the aspiration of working together
for the wellbeing of our peoples; which, at the same
time, allows for a better insertion and projection
of our region on the international level.”
After reaffirming the group’s irrevocable commitment
to strengthening this means of effective political
dialogue, the declaration expressed the desire to
identify, within the context of diversity, “the
common challenges and objectives, and the points of
convergence which will allow us to advance in the
process of integration of our region.”
The document emphasizes the need to strengthen the
democracies of CELAC nations and to build more
inclusive societies. “Let us improve our
productivity; expand trade; better our
infrastructure and connectivity and the necessary
networks which increasingly unite our peoples; let
us work for sustainable development, for overcoming
inequality and a more equitable distribution of
wealth, so that all men and women feel that
democracy gives meaning to their lives. This is the
mission, this is the task to which we have been
called, and this is the political responsibility we
have before us, for which we must be accountable to
our peoples.”
In a separate paragraph, the regional leaders
expressed their deep sorrow for the death of
Venezuelan President Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías, “one
of the principal founders and driving forces behind
CELAC, an untiring humanist and promoter of Latin
American and Caribbean unity, who struggled against
social exclusion and poverty, propelling the
integral development of the region forward.”
“We assume the commitment to integrated,
non-exclusive and equitable regional development,
taking into account the importance of assuring
beneficial attention to small, vulnerable economies;
to developing countries without a coastline; and to
island nations,” the Declaration of Havana states.
The document later reaffirms that “in order to
eradicate poverty and hunger, it is imperative that
we promote economic policies which favor
productivity and the sustainable development of our
countries; work toward strengthening the world
economic order to the benefit of our countries;
promote complementarity, solidarity and cooperation;
and demand the fulfillment of commitments to aid
development made by developed countries.”
CELAC leaders afforded “the highest priority” to
strengthening food security; literacy development;
continuing education; generalized, free public
education; quality and socially conscious technical,
professional and higher education; land rights; the
development of agriculture, including that of
families and small farmers; decent and lasting
employment; support to small agricultural producers;
unemployment protection; universal public health;
the right to adequate housing for all; and
productive industrial development, as factors
decisive to the elimination of hunger, poverty and
social exclusion.”
They reiterated the commitment to assure the
cultural integration of our peoples via the
promotion of exchanges of cultural, traditional and
modern expressions, and recognized that indigenous
peoples and local communities play an important role
in economic, social and environmental development.
Also reaffirmed was the desire to promote regional,
sub-regional, bi-lateral and tri-lateral cooperative
development programs, as well as a policy of
South-South and triangular cooperation, which takes
into consideration the specific characteristics and
needs of diverse areas and sub-regions, as well as
those of each country.
The Declaration includes a commitment to continue
contributing to the reconstruction and development
of Haiti, “with full respect for its authorities and
sovereignty,” insisting that governments,
traditional donors and international financial
institutions more widely and rapidly support this
objective.
The body also expressed its support for ongoing
efforts to consolidate firm regional principles in
regards to respect for the rights of immigrants.
Convinced that climate change is one of the most
serious problems of our time, the leaders expressed
their concern given its growing negative impact on
developing countries and small island states, in
particular.
The Latin American and Caribbean character of Puerto
Rico was reaffirmed and the body indicated its
commitment to continue working within the framework
of international law and UN General Assembly
Resolution 1514, adopted December 14, 1960, to
ensure that Latin America and the Caribbean is a
territory free of colonialism and colonies.
Later in the document, lists and unilateral
certifications on the part of developed countries
which affect Latin American ad Caribbean countries,
in particular those referring to terrorism, illicit
drugs and trafficking in persons, among others of a
similar character, are rejected. The declaration
also reaffirms the Special Communiqué issued by
CELAC this past June 5, rejecting the inclusion of
Cuba on the so-called list of states sponsoring
terrorism promoted by the United States State
Department.
The Declaration likewise expresses firm support to
the legitimate rights of Argentina in its dispute
over sovereignty of the Malvinas, South Georgia,
South Sandwich Islands and adjacent waters, as well
as ongoing interest in resolving this conflict
through peaceful means and negotiation.
Also stated was CELAC’s strong rejection of
unilateral coercive measures. Solidarity with Cuba
was reiterated, along with the organization’s demand
that the United States put an end to the economic,
commercial and financial blockade imposed on the
country for more than fifty years.
Leaders committed themselves to continue working on
consolidating Latin America and the Caribbean as a
Zone of Peace, in which differences between nations
are resolved through dialogue and negotiation or
other means of conflict resolution established by
international law.
A statement was made in support of the peace talks
underway in Havana between the government of
Colombia and the Colombian Revolutionary Armed
Forces (FARC).
CELAC leaders also emphasized the importance of
culture and cultural industries to national
economies and the need to promote cultural
undertakings as a way to preserve national heritage,
generate employment and meet the cultural needs of
our peoples.
In the extensive declaration, those representing the
region’s peoples reasserted the need for more
equitable distribution within the United Nations
system and called for greater representation, both
quantitative and qualitative, of Latin America and
the Caribbean in key UN positions and international
bodies.
The Declaration of Havana expresses serious concern
in regards to the humanitarian and security
situation in Syria, recognizing the grave threat
being posed to the Middle East and international
peace.
The 33 heads of state welcomed the establishment of
a CELAC-China Forum and a dialogue mechanism with
the Russian Federation, bodies which should have a
positive impact on the organization’s activities. In
the same vein, support was expressed for the process
underway preparing for the 2nd European
Union-CELAC Summit, scheduled for 2015, in Brussels.
In conclusion, CELAC leaders thanked Cuban President
Raúl Castro for the leadership and work contributed
by the government and people of Cuba during the
country’s 2013 pro tempore presidency of CELAC and
the organization of the Community’s 2nd
Summit in Havana.
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