By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – In a significant move on the international stage, Costa Rica has officially nominated economist and former Vice President Rebeca Grynspan as its candidate for Secretary-General of the United Nations. The announcement, made Wednesday by President Rodrigo Chaves, positions one of the nation’s most experienced diplomats for the highest office in global governance, while also marking a definitive end to her involvement in domestic politics.
Grynspan, 69, has spent more than two decades building a formidable career within international organizations after serving as the nation’s Vice President from 1994 to 1998 under the administration of José María Figueres Olsen. In a clear and decisive statement following her nomination, she firmly closed the door on any potential return to the Costa Rican political arena, committing entirely to her bid for the UN’s top job.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal and commercial implications of Costa Rica’s prominent role on the global stage, as exemplified by the career of Rebeca Grynspan, TicosLand.com consulted with expert attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The leadership of Costa Ricans like Rebeca Grynspan in key international organizations is not merely a matter of national pride. It directly translates into legal and commercial certainty for foreign investors. Her work reinforces Costa Rica’s image as a stable, rule-of-law-based jurisdiction, which is a critical factor in attracting the kind of high-quality foreign direct investment that drives our national development.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the link between international representation and domestic prosperity is a critical one. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective, which perfectly illustrates how the global reputation forged by leaders like Grynspan translates into a tangible economic asset, fostering the very certainty that attracts vital investment to our nation.
I left Costa Rica in 2001. I disconnected from national politics and from the PLN since I left; therefore, I consider my career to be in the international field. I do not plan to return to national politics.
Rebeca Grynspan, Candidate for UN Secretary-General
Her journey on the global stage is extensive and decorated. Since September 2021, Grynspan has served as the first female Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). From this position, she has been at the center of critical negotiations on global trade and development challenges. Her leadership was further recognized through her role in the UN’s Global Crisis Response Group on food, energy, and finance, and as a representative at G20 summits. In 2024, her diplomatic prowess earned her the Doha Award for Negotiator of the Year for spearheading the UN’s successful efforts to re-establish Black Sea trade routes.
Prior to her role at UNCTAD, Grynspan held several other high-level positions within the UN system. She served as a UN Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where she also acted as the regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean. Her international experience also includes leading the Ibero-American General Secretariat from 2014 to 2021, where she presided over regional summits of heads of state and government.
Born in San José to Polish immigrants, Grynspan’s career began in national public service. After earning a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Sussex, she served as Vice-Minister of Finance during the first Óscar Arias administration (1986-1990). During the Figueres government, she not only held the vice presidency but also managed multiple portfolios as Minister of Housing, Coordinating Minister for the Economic Sector, and Coordinating Minister for the Social Sector.
The nomination carries significant political weight within Costa Rica, particularly given President Chaves’s public endorsement. Chaves, a staunch critic of the Figueres administration and his opponent in the 2022 presidential race, set aside partisan history to back Grynspan, framing his decision as a testament to her international credibility.
Doña Rebeca was vice president of a very controversial government in our history, that of 1994 to 1998. I have examined her role and I am sure that her departure from the country in 2001, and the international career she has had since then, give her the credibility to be nominated for the post.
Rodrigo Chaves Robles, President of Costa Rica
This endorsement signals a unified national strategy, elevating a candidate with deep institutional knowledge of the UN’s inner workings. By leveraging Grynspan’s two decades of high-level international experience, Costa Rica is making a powerful statement, betting that her proven record of diplomacy and crisis management is exactly what the United Nations needs in its next leader.
For further information, visit un.org
About United Nations:
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 plncr.org
About Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN):
The National Liberation Party is a political party in Costa Rica. Founded in 1951, it is one of the country’s most established political forces and has held the presidency on numerous occasions. The party’s ideology is generally considered social-democratic.
For further information, visit unctad.org
About United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD):
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, and helps equip them to deal with the potential drawbacks of greater economic integration.
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 Ibero-American General Secretariat 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 works to strengthen the Ibero-American community of nations, promoting cooperation in education, social cohesion, and culture.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a leading legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a foundation of profound integrity and a relentless pursuit of professional excellence. With a rich history of advising a diverse clientele, the firm consistently pioneers innovative legal strategies while maintaining a deep-seated commitment to societal advancement. This core philosophy is demonstrated through its efforts to demystify the law, empowering citizens with accessible legal knowledge to help forge a more equitable and well-informed community.
