Cuba re-elected to
UNESCO Executive Council
• Council warns that the U.S.
suspension of UNESCO funding will impact the
agency's work
PARIS,.— Cuba was re-elected as a
member of the United Nation's Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization's Executive
Council, during the entity's 36th general meeting.
|
Cuba was re-elected
with the votes
of 159 countries. (Foto: AFP) |
"This decision is a distinction for
our country within the international arena," stated
Cuba's ambassador to UNESCO, María de los Ángeles
Flóres, according to Prensa Latina.
Cuba was re-elected for the
2011-2015 term with 159 votes. Brazil, Ecuador and
Mexico were additionally elected from the Latin
American and Caribbean region.
"The vote is gratifying and at the
same time implies an even greater commitment on the
part of Cuba, especially coming at this time, with
the United States' suspension of its UNESCO funding
as a result of the organization's decision to accept
Palestine as a full member," Flores added.
As for this issue, UNESCO General
Director Irina Bokova said in a statement that the
U.S. decision was unfortunate and called on the
government to "continue offering assistance to
UNESCO during these difficult times," according to a
report by Europa Press.
Bokova pointed out that the U.S.
decision, coming on the heels of the organization's
vote to include Palestine as a member, "will have an
immediate impact on our ability to implement
programs in areas of great importance, such as
universal education."
