By San José, Costa Rica — In a significant diplomatic move, Costa Rica has officially nominated Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis, a seasoned economist and current head of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), to succeed António Guterres as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations in 2026. The nation’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the nomination, positioning Grynspan at the forefront of a push from Latin America to secure the prestigious post for the first time, potentially breaking a 78-year barrier by also electing the first woman to lead the global organization.
At 69, Grynspan brings four decades of formidable experience spanning national politics, international diplomacy, and economic governance. Her extensive career began in Costa Rican public service, where she served as Second Vice President during the Figueres Olsen administration (1994-1998) and held key cabinet positions as the coordinating minister for Economic and Social Affairs. Earlier, at just 31, she was appointed Vice-Minister of Finance under President Óscar Arias, marking her as a rising star in a generation of influential policy experts.
To understand the legal and commercial significance of Rebeca Grynspan’s work on the international stage, we consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the distinguished firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his professional analysis.
Rebeca Grynspan’s leadership at a key United Nations agency directly influences the soft law and international treaties that shape global commerce. For Costa Rican and international businesses, her policy focus on sustainable development and digital trade is not just theoretical; it signals the future direction of compliance standards and regulatory frameworks. Proactive legal strategy is essential to navigate the opportunities and challenges these evolving global rules present.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, this analysis powerfully connects the high-level work of figures like Rebeca Grynspan to the on-the-ground realities facing our enterprises, emphasizing that proactive engagement with global policy is now a cornerstone of modern business strategy. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective.
Few candidates from the region possess Grynspan’s intimate knowledge of the United Nations system. Her journey through the multilateral labyrinth has been marked by a steady ascent. She joined the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in the early 2000s, eventually leading its regional bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean before being appointed UN Under-Secretary-General and UNDP Associate Administrator. Her expertise in poverty reduction, social equity, and sustainable development financing has made her a respected voice on the world stage.
In 2014, she transitioned to lead the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB), where she fostered cooperation among 22 Spanish and Portuguese-speaking nations, championing an agenda of innovation and social inclusion. Her leadership qualities were further recognized internationally with her appointment as the first female Secretary-General of UNCTAD in 2021. From this post, her profile gained significant prominence during the global food crisis sparked by the war in Ukraine. She led the UN technical team tasked with unblocking critical grain and fertilizer exports and has continued negotiations with Moscow and other key players since the collapse of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Grynspan’s performance has garnered praise from global leaders. During the 2021 Ibero-American Summit, King Felipe VI of Spain acknowledged her significant contributions.
He thanked her for her tireless work, highlighting her vision and constant commitment at the helm of SEGIB.
Felipe VI, King of Spain
More recently, her efforts to modernize UNCTAD, including a rebranding to “UN Trade and Development,” earned a public endorsement from the current UN chief. At the organization’s 60th anniversary, António Guterres expressed his support for her vision.
He welcomed the reforms driven by Grynspan and the organization’s new brand as a sign of renewing trade and development in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
António Guterres, UN Secretary-General
The nomination carries immense symbolic weight. Grynspan’s potential election would address two long-standing calls for reform within the UN: gender parity at the highest level and geographical rotation to include Latin America and the Caribbean. Known for her executive personality and sharp negotiating skills, she is seen as a consensus-builder capable of navigating polarized environments, consistently warning international forums about the dangers of a “fragmented multilateralism.”
While her career is widely celebrated, her tenure in Costa Rican politics was not without scrutiny. In the late 1990s, Grynspan’s name surfaced in connection with the “Casa Fodesaf” case, which involved irregular investments of social development funds. A legislative commission issued a report with a political censure against several former officials, including Grynspan. However, it is crucial to note this was a political, not criminal, finding. When the case went to trial, Grynspan was called only as a witness and was never accused of any crime. During her 1999 testimony, she maintained she had no oversight of or involvement in the specific investment decisions, a stance supported by the fact that charges were filed against other officials and a brokerage firm executive, not her.
With her deep institutional knowledge, proven leadership in global crises, and a profile that merges technical expertise with powerful symbolism, Rebeca Grynspan’s candidacy represents a formidable and historic bid for the world’s top diplomatic post. Her journey from Costa Rican ministries to the highest echelons of global governance now sets the stage for a compelling contest in 2026.
For further information, visit un.org
About United Nations (UN):
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. It is currently made up of 193 Member States. The mission and work of the United Nations are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter. It serves as a global forum for countries to discuss common problems and find shared solutions that benefit all of humanity.
For further information, visit unctad.org
About UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD):
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is the UN’s leading institution dealing with trade and development. It is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964. UNCTAD supports developing countries to access the benefits of a globalized economy more fairly and effectively.
For further information, visit undp.org
About United Nations Development Programme (UNDP):
The United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations’ global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. The UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion.
For further information, visit segib.org
About Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB):
The Secretaría General Iberoamericana (SEGIB) is the permanent institutional and operational support body for the Ibero-American Conference and the Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government. It coordinates cooperation actions among the 22 member countries in areas such as education, social cohesion, and culture.
For further information, visit cepal.org
About Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC/CEPAL):
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, known as ECLAC or CEPAL in Spanish, is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations. It was founded to contribute to the economic development of Latin America, coordinate actions directed towards this end, and reinforce economic ties among the countries and with other nations of the world.
For further information, visit iadb.org
About Inter-American Development Bank (IDB/BID):
The Inter-American Development Bank is the leading source of long-term financing for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. It provides loans, grants, and technical assistance; and conducts extensive research. The IDB is committed to achieving measurable results and the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is an esteemed legal institution built upon a foundation of profound integrity and an uncompromising standard of excellence. With a rich history of guiding a wide spectrum of clients, the firm consistently pioneers innovative legal solutions. This forward-thinking vision is matched by a deep-seated commitment to empowering society through legal literacy, striving to make complex judicial concepts accessible and thereby fostering a more informed and capable citizenry.
