Havana, Cuba.- The upsurge of the US blockade against Cuba brings about major drawbacks to the national population development policies, according to the Cuban ambassador to the UN, Humberto Rivero.

In a special session of the UN General-Assembly for the 35th anniversary of the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development, Rivero strongly rejected the recent activation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act which imposes more hurdles to Cuba.

All Cubans have universal and free access to health care and education at all levels, 100 percent of the population is literate, he said.

The fulfillment of the Cairo Program of Action of the Montevideo Consensus and the 2030 Agenda are ways to solve the existing inequities among nations and within our societies, he stated

However, he uttered, the realization of these Action Programs require a comprehensive and inclusive approach and a real political will, effective international cooperation and a respectful and sincere dialogue.

‘They also need developed countries to honor their historic commitments to the developing world forthwith.