The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation has successfully concluded the official visit to Costa Rica undertaken from 25 to 28 November by Spain's Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Eva Granados Galiano. The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in priority areas such as sustainable agriculture, the bioeconomy, biodiversity, climate change and social cohesion, as well as to deepen Spain's relationship with the Central American country, a partnership spanning more than 40 years.
During her visit, the Secretary of State highlighted the strategic importance of the Spanish Cooperation Office (OCE) in Costa Rica, which this year marks its tenth anniversary as AECID's regional office for the environment, climate change and biodiversity. This milestone provided an opportunity to take stock of the achievements to date and identify new areas of work for the region.
The visit reaffirmed Spain's commitment to promoting innovative projects for a just transition, with an emphasis on climate change adaptation, biodiversity protection and social inclusion, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda.
Busy schedule
As part of the programme, the delegation visited projects in the Huetar Norte region that combine technological innovation with environmental sustainability. These included AGRIINNOVACIÓN 4.0, an initiative promoting precision agriculture in collaboration with Costa Rica's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) and National Technical University (UTN). The delegation also learned about progress on the project Scaling Up a Business Model for a Just Transition to the Circular Bioeconomy, which highlighted the potential of innovation to strengthen agricultural productivity while meeting sustainability criteria.
The visit continued at Tenorio Volcano National Park, where the delegation met with representatives of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) and ProParques. Discussions focused on the effective management of protected areas under the Costa Rica is Biodiversity 30x30 project, part of the European Union's Euroclima Programme, which aims to conserve 30% of terrestrial and marine ecosystems by 2030.
The delegation subsequently visited the project The Heart of the Gulf of Nicoya: Revitalising Coastal Communities through Mangroves, led by Costa Rica's Tropical Science Center (CCT). The visit highlighted the crucial role of coastal ecosystems in climate action, biodiversity protection and the creation of sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
Finally, in the Costa Rican capital, the Secretary of State for International Cooperation met with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship (MREC), strengthening bilateral dialogue in a context marked by Costa Rica's move into the high-income country category within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). She also took part in a discussion with beneficiaries of the Integrémonos project, which promotes social cohesion and the integration of people in host communities.
-NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION-