United Nations on the island, during a national event to mark World Environment Day, this Sunday, June 5, in the eastern province of Granma.
Kaulard, who is also resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Cuba, highlighted that the country produces and markets leading biotechnology products, while 15% of the national territory has been declared Protected Areas.
Likewise, the World Health Organization has noted Cuba’s elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and the country has demonstrated effective epidemiological monitoring, which has prevented the spread of dengue fever and Zika.
The United Nations System and the UNDP, reiterate the commitment to accompany Cuba in its efforts to achieve sustainable development, Kaulard said.
Cuban Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment (Citma), América Santos, recalled that the Cuban government recognizes adaptation to climate change as a policy priority.
The draft National Plan for Economic and Social Development until 2030, analyzed at the 7th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba, includes a strategic focus on natural resources and the environment, she said.
During her speech, the Deputy Minister praised the province of Granma, as worthy of hosting the island’s main activities to mark World Environment Day.
Among the motives for selecting the province as host, were the comprehensive results achieved in the rehabilitation of waste treatment systems, the sustainable management of its ten protected areas, and the eradication of sources of pollution, as noted by Iris Betancourt, Citma delegate in Granma.
During the national event to mark World Environment Day, the National Environment Award was presented to the Brisas Guardalavaca Hotel, in Holguín; the Center for Environmental Education, belonging to the Enrique José Varona Pedagogical University, Havana; the Center for Studies of Applied Chemistry, of the Marta Abreu Central University of Villa Clara; and Roger Eduardo Rivero, principal researcher of the Department of Applied Meteorology, belonging to the Camagüey Meteorological Center.
Citma delegations in the provinces of Sancti Spíritus and Granma were also recognized, given their progress on environmental matters throughout 2015.
A special moment of the awards ceremony was the recognition awarded by the Granma local government to Commander of the Revolution Guillermo García Frías, Hero of the Republic of Cuba, for his brilliant efforts in favor of environmental protection, and the Citma territorial delegation, having received national awards in 2007 and 2016.
As a new initiative, the territory presented Citma Deputy Minister, America Santos, with two photo albums, reflecting the natural beauty and environmental heritage of this region, which will be presented to the leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro, on the occasion of his 90th birthday, and Elba Rosa Pérez, Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment.
(Granma)