Costa Rica

Costa Rica has forest cover of 52.4% and a solid system of protected areas that have allowed the country to have 25.5% of its terrestrial territory and 30.3% of its marine territory under some category of protection.

Because of this experience, the country led, with allies such as France and the United Kingdom, the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, which played a leading role in recent international discussions and negotiations under the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Coalition provided leadership on the ambitious global goal to protect at least 30% of the planet's land and ocean by 2030.

Costa Rica remains very active in its diplomatic efforts on environmental issues. At UNEA5, a historic country-driven resolution was approved, providing a multilaterally agreed concept of Nature-Based Solutions. In 2021, the United Nations Human Rights Council approved a resolution recognising the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. The intrinsic link between human rights and the environment was proposed by a group of five countries, including Costa Rica and Slovenia.

Today, Costa Rica is fully committed to the international Blue Agenda and has been designated, together with France, as co-host of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference. This will be a key opportunity to support the Sustainable Development Goal 14 through the promotion of innovative funding and solutions to ensure conservation and a sustainable use of the ocean and its resources. 

In this context, Costa Rica will host a High-Level Event on Ocean Action: “Immersed in Change” in June 2024. It will seek to create a space for the exchange of best practices and successful experiences to improve the health of the ocean and will pursue to advance the results of the Third UN Ocean Conference to be held in Nice, France, in June 2025.