United Nations: Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica appointed as UNCTAD SG
Published in SUNS #9366 dated 15 June 2021

Geneva, 14 Jun (Kanaga Raja) -  The United Nations General Assembly on 11 June confirmed the nomination of Ms Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

According to a UN news release, following consultations with the Chairpersons of the regional groups of Member States, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had requested the UN General Assembly to confirm Ms Grynspan as the next UNCTAD head.

According to a separate UNCTAD news release (posted on the UNCTAD website), Ms Grynspan becomes the first woman and Central American to be appointed as the Secretary-General of UNCTAD.

"I am grateful and honoured for the trust UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has placed in me with this appointment as secretary-general of UNCTAD," Ms Grynspan was quoted as saying in the UNCTAD release.

"I look forward to bringing my experience and commitment to development to this unique organization, whose history, mandate and recognized world-class expertise make it a key partner for all countries facing the challenges of post-pandemic recovery," she said.

"I believe that, at this critical time, UNCTAD can make an essential contribution for a more just, sustainable and inclusive recovery for all," she added.

Ms Grynspan will succeed Mr Mukhisa Kituyi of Kenya, who stepped down on 15 February 2021, after having served as the Secretary-General of UNCTAD since 1 September 2013.

According to the UN news release, Ms Grynspan has been serving as the Secretary-General of the Ibero-American Conference since 2014.

Prior to that, she was Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2010.

She had also served as the UNDP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean from 2006 to 2010.

From 2001 to 2006, Ms Grynspan was the Director of the Sub-regional headquarters in Mexico for the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

Prior to joining the United Nations, Ms Grynspan had held several ministerial level positions with the government of Costa Rica, including as Minister of Housing, Minister Coordinator of Economic and Social Affairs and Deputy Minister of Finance, according to the UN news release.

She also served as Vice-President of the Republic of Costa Rica from 1994 to 1998.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Secretary-General of UNCTAD, Ms Isabelle Durant of Belgium, will continue to serve as Acting Secretary-General until Ms Grynspan assumes her position as UNCTAD Secretary-General.

"This is great news for UNCTAD. The timely coming on board of Ms Grynspan as our secretary-general will be key to leading us in the implementation of a new chapter and mandate that will be decided by our 15th ministerial conference - UNCTAD-15 - in October this year," said Ms Durant.