Havana – United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Jessica Faieta announced continued support to Cuba in the economic, social and  environmental fronts.

At a press conference in Havana she said that UNDP will also place special emphasis on boosting renewable energy sources, especially through biofuel.

Jessica Faieta also mentioned the need to increase support to local development as well as import substitution.

UNDP’s programme also focuses on issues ranging from climate change adaptation and mitigation to disaster risk reduction, HIV / AIDS, with special emphasis on youth and gender equality.

"Risk prevention is one our most successful joint initiatives and I am especially pleased by the great advances that Cuba has made in this area," the Regional Director said.

Our programmes are consistent with the challenges that Cuba faces, such as food security and caring for elderly people and also in line with upcoming opportunities, particularly in knowledge sharing with other developing countries—or South-South cooperation—within the region and beyond, Faieta added.

She also highlighted Cuba’s important role to support the Ebola response in West Africa and the fight against cholera in Haiti.

Faieta also highlighted Cuba’s role to support the  peace talks between the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia—People's Army (FARC-EP, in Spanish).