Address by Manuel Marrero Cruz Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba at the International Forum on Hybrid Rice Assistance and Global Food Security

Address by Manuel Marrero Cruz

Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba at the International Forum on

Hybrid Rice Assistance and Global Food Security

H. E. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, State Councilor and Foreign Minister:

H.E. Luo Zhaohui, Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency:

Distinguished guests: 

First, I would like to express my gratitude to the People's Republic of China for the invitation to the International Forum on Hybrid Rice Assistance and Global Food Security.

"Hunger is the inseparable companion of the poor and the daughter of the unequal distribution of wealth and the injustices of this world." These words were said by the Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro at the World Food Summit held at FAO Headquarters in Rome,1996, which remain true 25 years later.

Data released by FAO show that the number of people affected by malnutrition is between 702 million and 828 million, among which 56.5 million are from Latin American and the Caribbean. Africa bears the greatest burden, where 278 million people suffer from malnutrition, while less than 2.5 percent malnourished people are from North America and Europe. The data also indicate that the international community is putting less efforts to end hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in all its forms to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of "Zero Hunger" by 2030.

Cuba faces complex economic challenges due to the unprecedented harsh sanctions imposed by the US that have caused hunger and despair in Cuba.

Cuba today finds itself in a complex economic situation. We are not only being deprived of the opportunities to thrive but also the right to survive.   

Despite these adversities, Cuba has managed to make progress in the implementation of the National Plan of Food Security and Nutrition Education, which focuses on reducing Cuba's dependence on imports, improving productivity, and developing efficient and sustainable national food systems through scientific development and technological innovation.

Cuba appreciates China's delivery of machinery and agricultural materials that helped enhance our production systems. We are also thankful for the academic exchanges and trainings for growing hybrid rice on saline soils, which is crucial for Cuba to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.

China's contributions to global food security are highly recognized by Cuba. China has managed to feed one fifth of the world's population with a quarter of the world's total food production on less than 9 percent of the world's arable land, and has successfully achieved the goal of eliminating extreme poverty.

Another topic that is of special importance to Cuba is the establishment of 'China-Latin America Sustainable Food Innovation Center', an open platform for collaboration and innovation, which provides vital support to industries, universities, and research institutions.

To safeguard global food security and eradicate hunger, "Let us be aware that hegemonism, arrogance and selfishness must stop", as said by the leader in Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro. The only solution to this man-made suffering is to radically transform the irrational and unsustainable patterns of production and consumption of capitalism, so that humanity can save itself.

Thank you very much.