Cuban Ambassador to UNESCO Receives Diploma and Medal

The awarding ceremony took place on Thursday during a plenary session of GRULAC at UNESCO´s headquarters in Paris with the presence of ambassadors and diplomats from the region.
   

Chilean ambassador and GRULAC´s President, Pilar Armanet, said that the recognition is granted “to reward people and institutions that have excelled in the defense of peace and democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
   

She added that GRULAC wanted to recognize Hernandez Pardo´s work as Cuba’s Permanent Representative before UNESCO and his constant struggle for the democratic principles, human rights, culture of peace and intercultural dialogue.
   

His significant contribution to the diverse discussions in UNESCO were also highlighted by the ambassadors from Venezuela, Brazil, Grenada, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Jamaica, Panama, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
   

They also praised his work ahead of the Non Aligned Countries (NAM) and his solidarity with all GRULAC members.
   

Meanwhile, Hernandez Pardo said that “rather than an award in recognition of my work, this is an expression of love and solidarity with the Cuban people.”
   

This is the second time in the last 15 years that GRULAC decorates an ambassador to UNESCO. The first to receive this award was Hector Gross Spiell, Uruguayan representative and former Foreign Affairs Minister of this South American nation.