Cuba: UN Praises Cuban Social Programs

Cubans line up to pay tribute to Vilma Espin, wife of Raul Castro, a day after her death.

Visiting Under Secretary General of the United Nations, Anna K. Tibaijuka, praised Cuba on Tuesday for its support of social projects promoted by the UN to realize its Millennium Development Goals.

She called Cuba an example for the world as the government's set health, education and the people's well-being as its priorities, and that Cuba's social achievements are worthy to be shared with other developing nations.

"Cuba is a nation that knows sustainable development. We want to find out how to share experiences and ideas with other developing nations," she said.

Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister Abelardo Moreno said the UN Human Settlements program (Habitat) for helping developing nations, which promotes technical assistance for rural and urban development, poverty reduction and water infrastructure and management, provide solutions to humanity's problems.

Tibaijuka, a Tanzanian, is also Executive Director of the UN-Habitat and runs the United Nations's offices in Nairobi, Kenya.

On Monday, Tibaijuka visited Guasimas in southern Havana, where she met residents who built their homes with their own hands. Her visit to Cuba ends on Wednesday.