Diane Quarless, director of the organization, commented that Cuba is in the vanguard of economic thought and development efforts in the region.

She highlighted the country’s efforts in support of other Caribbean nations via cooperation, according to Guillermo Vázquez, Cuban ambassador in Trinidad and Tobago, who especially emphasized the work of the Henry Reeve medical contingent.

Cuba’s accomplishments were noted during the 18th meeting of CEPAL’s development and cooperation follow-up committee (CDCC), composed of members of the Caribbean Community, Caricom.

The CDCC was established as a means to supervise the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Action Plan.

Vázquez reported that additionally addressed during the meeting was the upcoming celebration of CEPAL’s 70th anniversary, in February of 2018.

(Granma)

The prize — awarded to individuals, institutions or governmental organizations who have made a significant contribution in the field of public health — also honors the efforts of the more than 250 Cuban health workers who combated the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea.

At present, the Henry Reeve Contingent — created by the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, on September 19, 2005 — is providing medical care in Piura, a region in northern Peru affected by heavy rains.

Cuban Minister of Public Health Roberto Morales Ojeda, who arrived in Geneva on Saturday evening, will head the Cuban delegation to the 70th World Health Assembly — the organization’s main decision-making body — which will session May 22– 31.

Morales Ojeda will participate in the plenary sessions of the assembly, hold working meetings with other heads of delegations, and attend the traditional meeting of health ministers of the member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement, according to a statement from Cuba’s Permanent Mission to Geneva.

The program of the 70th World Health Assembly includes debates and discussions on important issues on the global health agenda, and the election of the successor to Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO general director, who will conclude her second term leading the organization.

(Granma)