STATEMENT : GENERAL ASSEMBLY PLENARY MEETING ON NECESSITY OF ENDING THE ECONOMIC, COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL EMBARGO IMPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES OF AME

STATEMENT BY

MR. SOFIAN AKMAL ABD. KARIM

DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA
TO THE UNITED NATIONS

AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PLENARY MEETING

ON NECESSITY OF ENDING THE ECONOMIC, COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL EMBARGO IMPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AGAINST CUBA

Mr. President,

Malaysia aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of ASEAN, G77 and China, NAM and the OIC. We recognise the presence of His Excellency the Foreign Minister of Cuba.

Mr. President,

2. Malaysia has consistently and strongly opposed the imposition of unilateral coercive measures against any country.

3. Such measures are inconsistent with the principles of sovereign equality and peaceful relations among States, and contravene international law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter.

4. Against this backdrop, Malaysia is deeply concerned by the recent escalation of unilateral coercive measures against Cuba, including unprecedented restrictions affecting fuel supplies, financial transactions and secondary sanctions directed at legitimate foreign companies and economic entities.

5. These measures have restricted Cuba’s access to international financing, isolated its people from the global economy and discouraged sovereign States from maintaining normal economic relations with Cuba.

6. This is evident in the refusal by foreign banks to engage with Cuba and the blocking of bank transfers, which have impeded legitimate commercial and financial transactions. Fuel shortages have also prevented the distribution of essential goods, further underscoring the severe and far-reaching consequences of these measures.

7. Beyond the economic impact, the humanitarian consequences are equally, if not more, alarming. Disruption of fuel supplies has affected electricity generation, hospitals, schools, water distribution, food preservation, public transportation, agricultural production and sanitation.

8. More than 100,000 patients, including approximately 12,000 children, are reportedly awaiting postponed surgical procedures. The survival rate among children diagnosed with cancer has reportedly declined from 85 per cent to 65 per cent due to difficulties in accessing medicines, technologies and specialised treatments.

Mr. President,

9. In light of these developments, Malaysia reiterates its support for GA resolution 80/4, adopted on 29 October 2025, and calls for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba, including measures with extraterritorial effects.

10. Unilateral coercive measures must never be used as instruments to pursue political objectives. For it is not governments alone that bear the burden of these measures; it is ordinary people, including families struggling to secure food and medicine, patients waiting for treatment, and children deprived of education, healthcare and hope.

11. Malaysia calls upon the parties concerned to resolve their differences through constructive dialogue, mutual respect and diplomacy, in full accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.

Thank you, Mr. President.