General Assembly Overwhelmingly Adopts Resolution Calling on United States to End Cuba Embargo, Launches Annual Debate on International Atomic Energy Agency Report

The General Assembly today adopted — by an overwhelming majority, though short of the near-unanimous support seen in previous years — a resolution calling for an end to the decades-old United States embargo against Cuba, before turning its attention to the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the complex challenges it faces in an increasingly divided world.

The 193-member Assembly adopted the resolution "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba" (document A/80/L.6), by a recorded vote of 165 in favour to 7 against (Argentina, Hungary, Israel, North Macedonia, Paraguay, Ukraine, United States), with 12 abstentions.

Support Wavers as More Nations Oppose, Abstain

In 2024, the 193-member Assembly had adopted the same annual resolution (document A/79/L.6) by 187 votes in favour to 2 against (United States, Israel), with 1 abstention (Republic of Moldova). The decline in affirmative votes and the increase in opposing and abstaining delegations marked a departure from previous years’ near-universal backing of the resolution.

By this year’s text, the Assembly reiterated its call upon all States to refrain from promulgating and applying laws and measures, such that promulgated on 12 March 1996 known as "the Helms-Burton Act", in conformity with their obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and international law. It also urged States that have and continue to apply such laws and measures to take the steps necessary to repeal or invalidate them as soon as possible in accordance with their legal regime.

During yesterday’s debate on the subject, the representative of the United States urged delegates to vote against the resolution or abstain. He stated that Cuba "conspires and collaborates with enemies and adversaries of the United States", adding that it supports terrorist organizations around the world, allows mercenaries to fight in the war in Ukraine, props up the Venezuelan regime, and engages in trafficking of people, drugs and weapons.

Cuba’s Foreign Minister Urges United States to ‘Withdraw Military Threat’

Introducing draft "L.6", Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Cuba’s foreign minister, denounced the United States’ "criminal policy" that has left his country "viciously deprived" of access to financing and technology essential for food and health care. Infant mortality, once below 5 per 1,000 live births, reached 8.5 in the first half of 2025, he said, adding that between March 2024 and February 2025 the blockade caused 7ドル.5 billion in damages. Calling Washington, D.C.’s, designation of Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism "unfair", he said it hampers banking, trade and investment, while "terrorist acts against the country have been and are still being organized and financed from US territory." He urged the United States to "withdraw the military threat and accept a civilized dialogue".

Support for Resolution Meets Rebuke over Repression

After the vote, Denmark’s delegate, speaking for a group of countries, said they supported the text, noting that the embargo restricts Cuba’s access to essential goods and that lifting it could bolster reforms. Expressing concern over human rights, she urged Havana to grant full freedoms and prevent its nationals from joining the Russian Federation’s war in Ukraine. The United States representative said his country "will continue to promote accountability for the communist regime", stressing that Cuba’s economic crisis stems from "the failings of its regime", and condemning its "repression of the Cuban people". He also denounced the Cuban delegation’s interruption of the United States’ statement the previous day as "crude and disrespectful". calling it an attempt to silence the truth.

Memories of Hiroshima, Nagasaki Shadow Debate on IAEA Report

The Assembly also held a debate on the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). "The memories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remind us — to this day — that the nuclear danger is not an abstraction; it is a real and persistent danger," said General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock (Germany), as she opened the afternoon plenary.

IAEA remains essential to ensuring that nuclear science, technology and research serve humanity while preventing harm, she emphasized. But, its mission is becoming more difficult as conflict, mistrust and geopolitical competition erode the systems of cooperation, verification and safeguards on which global nuclear stability depends.

She pointed to the "deeply concerning" trend in which peaceful nuclear installations are increasingly at risk of being targeted during conflict, in violation of international law. Unlocking the benefits of nuclear technology for civilian purposes, while "rigorously minimizing" its risks requires "unwavering" adherence to the UN Charter and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, she stressed.

"Risk does not stop at borders," she said. IAEA is the "anchor of global trust and the first line of assurance that standards are upheld".

IAEA ‘Will Be There’ as Countries Explore Technology for Peaceful Aims, Director General Says

Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of IAEA, described his Agency’s work at the intersection of nuclear non-proliferation, energy security and development.

Last year, it conducted more than 3,000 in-field verification activities at more than 1,300 facilities and was able to draw safeguards conclusions for 175 States. He drew attention to several countries, including Iran — where IAEA had been forced to withdraw its inspectors in June after attacks on the country’s nuclear facilities, and where there remains a "way to go" to fully resume inspections.

He also pointed to Syria, where IAEA is making progress towards clarifying aspects of the country’s past nuclear activities. The war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine continues to be a major focus. IAEA staff were able to rectify a "very dangerous situation" at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, where cooling components had come offline, he said.

He described fresh momentum on nuclear power generation in the face of the global climate emergency, pointing to new projections indicating that nuclear energy capacity will increase as much as two and a half times by 2050. IAEA will be there as countries — especially developing countries — explore this promising technology for peaceful purposes, he said, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Alarm over Erosion of Principles Anchoring Non-Proliferation Regime

In the ensuing debate, discussion centred around the safety and security of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, particularly at Zaporizhzhia. Delegates stressed the need to uphold IAEA safeguards, including the Director General’s "seven indispensable pillars" and "five concrete principles", and supported the Agency’s continued role in ensuring nuclear safety amid ongoing conflict.

Ukraine’s representative, speaking for a group of countries, condemned the Russian Federation’s occupation of the Zaporizhzhia plant, and rejected any attempt to restart reactors under Russian control. Restarting can only occur once the plant is back under Ukraine’s legitimate oversight, he added, demanding that the Russian Federation "immediately return the plant to the full control of the sovereign and competent authorities of Ukraine".

Switching to his national capacity, he proposed "temporary IAEA stewardship of the [plant ...] to have all Russian military and unauthorized personnel leave the site".

Delegates also emphasized that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must dismantle its nuclear capabilities, fully comply with the Non-Proliferation Treaty and cooperate with IAEA, while all Member States are obliged to implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Among them, Japan’s representative called on Pyongyang to take "concrete" steps towards the complete, verifiable and irreversible disarmament of its nuclear weapons programmes, and to cooperate fully with IAEA. He expressed concern that increasing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang "blatantly" violates Security Council resolutions, further undermining the international non-proliferation regime.

Verify, Verify, Verify

Attention also turned to the need to verify the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme, with speakers calling on Tehran to fully cooperate with the IAEA and stressing that dialogue and diplomacy are essential to resolving outstanding issues.

China’s representative said the Agency should help promote a peaceful resolution, with parties "meeting each other halfway" through dialogue. He noted that China, Russian Federation and Iran recently circulated a joint letter recognizing that Security Council resolution 2231 (2015) has expired and calling for the lifting of sanctions, creating conditions for a peaceful settlement. At the same time, the United Kingdom’s delegate expressed concern that "Iran’s non-compliance with its safeguards obligations and lack of serious cooperation with the Agency is of grave concern", emphasizing that Iran’s nuclear programme remains a threat to international security and should stay on the IAEA’s agenda.

Australia’s representative, speaking in his country’s capacity as Chair of the IAEA Board of Governors, introduced the draft resolution titled "Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency" (document A/80/L.7). The text, he said, "serves as the formal instrument through which the General Assembly acknowledges and considers the Agency’s contributions to international peace, security and development". He expressed hope the Assembly will adopt the draft without a vote, "thereby reaffirming the broad consensus on the indispensable role of the Agency and the significance of its work across its diverse mandate".

The Assembly will continue its debate on this topic and take action on "L.7" on a date to be determined.

Complete Live Blog coverage of today's meeting can be found here .