Paris, France.-UNESCO Executive Council President Michael Worbs has said that Fidel Castro was one of the most emblematic statesmen of the 20th century and given his condolences on the death of the historic leader of the Cuban revolution.

‘The Cuban revolutionary leader has been, for more than 50 years, one of the most emblematic statesmen of the 20th century. His defense of progressive ideals was a model for many,’ Worbs said in a letter sent to the Cuban permanent mission to UNESCO.

Worbs stressed the importance of the Cuban leader for the developing world and the Non-Aligned Movement and added that he was always ‘committed to development and prosperity in his country.’

He recalled Fidel’s words to the UNESCO’s Executive Council during a visit in 1995, ‘…true social development… entails… solidarity among men and nations and the right of every country to development and to decide its own strategy to achieve it.’