Cuban President To Deliver First Address To UN General Assembly

HAVANA, Cuba, CMC — Cuban President Raul Castro will deliver his first address to the United Nations General Assembly later this month.

This has been confirmed by Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez who says a draft schedule published by the UN indicated that the Castro will speak on September 28, the same day as US President Barack Obama.

Castro’s appearance comes just two months after Washington and Havana reestablished diplomatic relations after more than a half century of enmity.

The Cuban President is expected to use his speech to push for an end to the US embargo.

The Cuban head of state will also participate in the September 25th Assembly session and also hold bilateral encounters with authorities from different countries.

Former Cuban President Fidel Castro took part in the gathering on four occasions following the Cuban revolution in 1959.

This will be Raul Castro’s first speech to the UN General Assembly, since he succeeded his brother as president in 2006.

More than 160 world leaders are expected at the UN General Assembly, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.