First National Dialogue for Costa Rica

From February 15-16, 2023, the Secretariat for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability hosted the first National Dialogue for Costa Rica. Focusing on the activities of the Transitioning to a Green Urban Economy (TEVU) project within the framework of the UrbanShift program, the event brought together over 100 representatives from national ministries and institutions, along with local leaders, to learn about progress on specific initiatives and engage in collaborative discussions.

Over the course of the event, participants presented on initiatives that are shifting Costa Rica toward a more sustainable, green economy, and invited suggestions for how to scale this work. Carlos Isaac Pérez, Vice Minister of Strategic Growth at the Costa Rican Ministry of Environment and Energy, raised that cities need to be investing in nature-based solutions at the urban periphery to help combat greenhouse gas emission, and Felicia Rodríguez González of the Plantae Seed Project shared how the San Luis Natural Farm in San Luis Grecia is regenerating local biodiversity and providing residents with fresh, local produce. Participants also learned Desamparados’ growing focus on waste management and Belén’s efforts to control excess rainwater. 

Through these dialogues, representatives from across sectors and levels of government learn firsthand what initiatives are unfolding to make the country more sustainable, and how they can come together to support and scale successful projects–and develop new concepts. The second dialogue, a follow-up to this, is planned for 2024.