Costa Rica nominates Rebeca Grynspan for UN secretary-general
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — Costa Rica on Wednesday introduced longtime diplomat and former Vice President Rebeca Grynspan as a candidate to be the next secretary general of the United Nations.
The economist is currently the UN Secretary-General for Trade and Development in Geneva.
She played a major role in U.N. efforts to ship Ukrainian and Russian grain to world markets at the start of the war in Ukraine, and outgoing Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed her as the top U.N. official tasked with dealing with the Russians.
“This candidacy will be officially registered at the United Nations in the coming weeks,” Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves said in a video message on Wednesday. “We are convinced that the career and commitment of Rebeca Grynspan, who has extensive experience in development issues, international cooperation and regional leadership, will contribute significantly to strengthening multilateralism.”
Speaking at a news conference in San Jose on Wednesday, Grynspan said she would campaign for the position, capitalizing on her notoriety in diplomatic circles. She also acknowledged that there would be competition for this position, particularly in Latin America.
“I know the United Nations well, I know it well enough to reform it and well enough to defend it,” Grynspan said. “The United Nations demands both things. These days, being a multilateralist means being a reformer.”
Grynspan served as vice president of Costa Rica during the administration of former president José María Figueres (1994–1998) and later worked in various multilateral organizations.
