The Cuban Communications Vice Minister, Ernesto Rodriguez Hernandez,is participatingin the 7th Ministerial Conference on Information Society in Latin America and the Caribbean, which is going to be held virtually from November 23 to 26, 2020.

In his speech, the Cuban Vice Minister of Communications said:
"#COVID19 has proven to be a global challenge, it has negatively impacted the health systems, the world economy and the security of the countries and it has aggravated the existing digital gap between developed and developing countries.
"In this crisis, Cuba calls for global unity, solidarity and international cooperation; and demands the termination of unilateral coercive measures that violate International Law and the United Nations Charter and limit the capacity of States to have universal and safe access to telecommunications and ICTs, as tools to effectively face the pandemic.
"This situation clearly demonstrates the need for a communications infrastructure that provides equal access to reliable sources of information and assists health and other public service entities, as well as helping to ensure the continuity of the educational process.
"The United Nations Secretary General's Road Map for Digital Cooperation reflects that COVID-19 has proven to be a global challenge, it has had a negative impact on health systems, the world economy and the security of countries and it has increased the existing digital gap between countries".
The Digital Agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean eLAC 2022 has as a fundamental objective to contribute to respond effectively, through regional cooperation, to the great challenges faced by the region in the digital field and is in accordance with the interests and fundamental priorities of the computerization program in Cuba, which is reflected in its 8 action areas and corresponding objectives.

"Cuba restates that the current situation calls for international cooperation and solidarity, to exchange, develop and share good practices and initiatives in the use of ICTs as fundamental tools to face the pandemic.
"We urge the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, to continue supporting the development of ICTs in the region, so that it contributes to effectively face and mitigate emergency situations in Latin America and the Caribbean.
"Experiences in confronting this crisis will serve to strengthen solidarity and regional cooperation mechanisms for the well-being of our peoples