HAVANA, CUBA.- Cuba reaffirmed at United Nations (UN) its support for the performance of UNICEF and called for continuing strengthening the presence and work of that body in the world, particularly in developing nations.

Speaking at the annual ordinary session of the UNICEF 2020 Executive Board, held virtually, the alternate permanent representative of Cuba to the United Nations, Ana Silvia Rodriguez, highlighted UNICEF's efforts amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

That latter agency contributes to giving a coordinated, comprehensive and large-scale response to support countries in the face of the pandemic, pointed out the ambassador.

UNICEF has better coordinated a global response for the welfare of girls and boys around the world, particularly those still living in extreme poverty, she added.

Rodriguez also recalled that the welfare of children is an inherent purpose of the Cuban social project.

'Healthcare and education services are universal and free for our entire population, including our children.'

Currently, she noted, Cuba is among the 35 countries with the lowest infant mortality rate in the world: by the end of 2019 it was five per every 1,000 live births, one of the lowest in the history of the country.