Belgian Embassy in Cuba Closes. But Belgian-Cuban Partnerships Endure.
The closure of the iconic Belgian embassy in Havana marks the end of a chapter. But it is not the end of 123 years of Belgian commitment to Cuban society. With the backing of VLIRUOS funding, Belgian academics are determined to continue their partnerships with Cuban peers to deliver new solutions to shared challenges in health care, climate resilience and energy transition.
On 5th June, Belgian and Cuban scientists have reconfirmed this commitment during an academic gathering in Brussels, held at the invitation of the Cuban Ambassador Juan Antonio Fernàndez. Together, they discussed 13 ongoing and 3 newly selected projects, granted competitive VLIRUOS and EU funding calls. These projects are part of an impressive portfolio of over 100 projects carried out over two decades, with a cumulative budget of 30 million EUR.
On top of that, there are the numerous Belgian-Cuban projects granted by ITM (Institute for Tropical Medicine) and ARES (Académie de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur), our Belgian partners in the Joint Strategic Framework 'Higher Education & Science for Sustainable Development'.
The impact of these engagements becomes more evident over time. Belgian-Cuban partnerships contributed significantly, for example, to the improvement of biomedical diagnostics, particullarly in the Eastern provinces, through the deployment of 3D medical imaging technology in 25 hospitals and the training of hundreds of medical professionals. In the agricultural sector, Belgian and Cuban experts developed a nationwide system for digital water management, substantially strengthening the climate resilience of Cuban farming communities.
These partnerships continue to rely on Belgian consular services. However, recent visa challenges risk slowing down this cooperation. We hope to engage with the competent authorities soon so that mobility can be restored swiftly. In a world of growing geopolitical complexity, long-term academic partnerships grounded in mutual respect and shared goals are more valuable than ever. They strengthen resilience, foster innovation, and create lasting benefits on both sides.
For VLIRUOS, academic partnerships like those with Cuba are a strategic investment.
