The Cuban Minister of Communications, Mayra Arevich Marín, participated via online, on November 9, in the "Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Cyberspace" to be held from November 9 to 11, 2022, within the framework of the World Internet Conference or Wuzhen Summit, China.

In her speech, she thanked the organizers of the conference for their invitation.

"The Wuzhen Summit has become one of the main forums for exchanging on the advances in digital technologies, the policies for their development and deployment, and the impact for people and society," said the Minister of Communications in her speech.

She remarked that "Our country promotes as a fundamental principle of international relations in the field of cybersecurity, the joint cooperation of States to prevent and confront the covert and illegal use, by individuals, organizations and States, of the computer systems of other nations and prevent cyberspace from becoming a theater of military operations."

"We share the view expressed by President Xi Jinping that a more just and equitable, open and inclusive, secure and stable cyberspace, offering more benefits to people around the world, must be built jointly by all countries," Mayra Arevich noted in her remarks.

The Cuban Minister of Communications said: "We reiterate our rejection of any unilateral coercive measure that restricts or prevents universal access to the benefits of ICTs, contrary to international law and the Charter of the United Nations and a brake on the economic and social development of countries."

"Cuba has had to face, for more than 60 years, an economic, financial and commercial blockade imposed by the United States and intensified in an opportunistic fashion during the COVID-19 pandemic."

"This blockade, overwhelmingly rejected for the thirtieth time by the United Nations General Assembly in recent days, constitutes the main obstacle to the development of communications in Cuba, hinders and increases the cost of connectivity in the country and prevents access to platforms and technologies."

On the use of Information and Communication Technologies, she emphasized: "The use of ICTs for criminal and terrorist purposes, as a pretext for the unleashing of war, the threat or use of force, or as a tool for interventionism, subversion, destabilization, dissemination of false news and misrepresentation of reality for political purposes, as well as for media campaigns of disinformation against sovereign governments, is unacceptable."

"Cuba is moving towards the implementation of a Digital Transformation policy, as an evolutionary process based on what has been achieved with the development and application of digital technologies in the country, and which aims to achieve a favorable and direct impact on raising the quality of life of the population," said the Minister.
"Telecommunications and ICTs generate opportunities and challenges for universal development that can be addressed through international cooperation. They should be used to contribute to economic and social development, promote peace, knowledge, eradicate poverty and social exclusion," Arevich Marin noted.

"We believe that the realization of the World Internet Conference 2022 will contribute through dialogue and exchanges, to achieve these goals and strengthen the development and governance of the global Internet."

"Cuba reiterates its commitment to continue working with all countries in defense of a more just and democratic international order that responds to the demands for peace, development and justice of all the peoples of the world, and that guarantees the preservation and strengthening of multilateralism and international law."

"We reiterate our commitment to strengthen international cooperation, collaboration and solidarity for the purpose of creating a shared digital future in a connected world and building a community with a shared future in a secure and accessible cyberspace for all the inhabitants of the planet," said Mayra Arevich Marín, Minister of Communications of Cuba to conclude her speech.