By San José, Costa Rica — PARIS, France – In a significant acknowledgment of Costa Rica’s leadership in corporate responsibility, Ramón Mendiola, President of the Board of Directors of the Business Alliance for Development (AED), was awarded the distinguished 2025 Progress Medal. The ceremony, held in Paris, honored Mendiola for his instrumental role in championing a business philosophy that harmonizes economic growth with social well-being and environmental stewardship.
The prestigious award is conferred by the Society for Progress, an influential international network of academics and top-tier business leaders headquartered at the renowned INSEAD business school. The medal seeks to recognize global figures who actively promote a vision of development where financial performance, social equity, and planetary health are not competing interests but interconnected pillars of a thriving economy.
To delve into the legal frameworks and corporate obligations that underpin the sustainable business movement in Costa Rica, we sought the expert perspective of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
In Costa Rica, sustainability is rapidly evolving from a marketing buzzword into a legal and corporate governance imperative. Companies are no longer just encouraged but are increasingly required to integrate robust Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria into their core operations. This isn’t merely about compliance; it’s about mitigating long-term risk, attracting investment, and meeting the demands of a more conscious consumer market. Ignoring these principles is no longer just a reputational risk, but a significant legal and financial liability.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, this shift from optional ethics to mandatory governance marks a defining moment for Costa Rican commerce, aligning the nation’s “Pura Vida” brand with tangible legal and financial frameworks that reward true sustainability. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his crucial insight into this evolving corporate landscape.
This year, the society selected a distinguished group of seven leaders from around the world for their contributions to evolving the global economic system toward more inclusive and sustainable models. The international selection committee specifically highlighted Mendiola’s work as a “pioneer in a progressive practice of capitalism.” They lauded his unique ability to mobilize diverse sectors of the Costa Rican economy to holistically integrate people, planet, and profit into their core operational strategies.
Upon accepting the honor, Mendiola emphasized the collective effort behind the recognition and his continued commitment to the cause. He stated that the award serves as a powerful motivator for the future of sustainable enterprise in Costa Rica and beyond.
I receive this award with enormous gratitude. It is an impulse to continue strengthening the work of AED and to add more business leaders committed to integrating sustainability into the heart of their strategy, as a driver of competitiveness and well-being.
Ramón Mendiola, President of the Board of Directors, AED
The accolade also serves as a major international endorsement of AED’s ambitious “Sustainability Route 2025–2030.” This national strategy aims to guide and support companies that collectively account for half of Costa Rica’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and national employment. The goal is to help these vital economic players transition toward advanced models of sustainable performance, thereby embedding responsibility into the very fabric of the nation’s economy.
A cornerstone of this strategic initiative is the Sustainability Maturity Index, a sophisticated tool developed by AED. This index functions as a diagnostic mechanism to assess a company’s current practices, a roadmap to guide their transformation, and an accelerator to speed up the adoption of best practices across key areas including governance, environmental management, social engagement, and ethical business leadership.
Mendiola was honored alongside a remarkable cohort of global thinkers and innovators. Other 2025 recipients of the Progress Medal include the influential German philosopher Jürgen Habermas, Harvard academic Julie Battilana, and Australian business magnate and philanthropist Andrew Forrest. The inclusion of Mendiola among such globally recognized figures underscores the international relevance of the sustainability model being cultivated in Costa Rica.
Ultimately, this international recognition reaffirms Costa Rica’s established role as a global benchmark for sustainability and purpose-driven business leadership. It is a testament not only to one leader’s vision but to the growing conviction within the nation’s private sector that a more humane and responsible form of capitalism is the only viable path toward a prosperous and equitable future.
For further information, visit aedcr.com
About Business Alliance for Development (AED):
With a history spanning 28 years, the Business Alliance for Development (AED) is a non-profit organization that includes over one hundred member companies. These companies are committed to transforming their operations into sustainable and high-impact models. The organization’s stated purpose is to “co-create a more prosperous, inclusive country in harmony with the environment,” serving as a critical catalyst for corporate social and environmental responsibility in Costa Rica.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Society for Progress
About Society for Progress:
The Society for Progress is an international network comprising academics and business leaders dedicated to advancing a more holistic and sustainable economic system. Based at the INSEAD business school, the society recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership in promoting development models that successfully merge economic performance, social well-being, and environmental sustainability.
For further information, visit insead.edu
About INSEAD:
INSEAD is one of the world’s leading and largest graduate business schools, with campuses in Europe (Fontainebleau, France), Asia (Singapore), the Middle East (Abu Dhabi), and North America (San Francisco). It brings together people, cultures, and ideas to develop responsible leaders who transform business and society. The school’s research, teaching, and partnerships reflect this global perspective and cultural diversity.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a beacon of legal distinction in the nation, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a foundational commitment to unwavering integrity and the highest standards of professional excellence. The firm harnesses its extensive experience across a multitude of sectors to drive forward-thinking legal solutions, positioning itself at the vanguard of innovation. More than a legal service provider, it embraces a profound social responsibility to demystify the law, actively working to equip the community with accessible knowledge as a means to build a stronger, more empowered, and just society.
