Geneva - Cuba defended the need for a new international economic order in which technological and knowledge monopolies were eliminated, during the United Nations'' Commission on Science and Technology for Development, taking place in Geneva today.

During the event, Maria del Carmen Herrera Caseiro, Head for Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Multilateral Affairs department, referred to the great challenges the countries of the South have been facing as they did not have sufficient resources to promote the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

After considering that innovative approaches are not enough to boost the Agenda, Herrera Caseiro called for the establishment of a new international economic order involving the elimination of technological and knowledge monopolies.

The Cuban diplomat also defended the construction of a new international financial architecture and stated that developed countries should comply with their commitments on official development assistance.

Herrera Caseiro stressed the importance of investing in key sectors, including foreign direct investment in developing countries and the need to promote international cooperation.

With reference to Cuba, she emphasized the progress achieved in science, technology and innovation, as well as the positive results reached in several areas, such as biotechnology, agriculture and health.

The Caribbean nation has got those achievements despite the damage caused by the economic blockade imposed by the United States more than 50 years ago, she added.

According to a statement from the Havana embassy in Geneva, the United Nations' Commission on Science and Technology for Development has held sessions from Monday, January 23st, in the presence of representatives from many nations.

The innovative approaches to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the role of science, technology and innovation to ensure food security by 2030, are being discussed in the event.