Position paper for Costa Rica
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence |
| Paper text: | |
| I. Role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and
interdependence.
Globalization has profoundly reshaped how countries interact, transforming
communication, trade, and diplomacy in today’s hyperconnected world. While some
nations have experienced significant economic growth and social progress, others
have struggled to keep pace with these rapid changes—facing increased inequality,
instability, and marginalization in the global system.
The interdependence factor of globalization should be based on a narrative of
cooperation and trade. Nevertheless, it causes situations of power imbalance, in
which economically dominant nations might exploit their position over less
developed nations. Costa Rica recognizes the United Nations as a crucial mediator,
promoting fair cooperation, sustainable development, and the protection of smaller nations
interests.
As a country that longly benefitted from open trade, technological exchange and international collaboration with others, we recognize the importance of multilateralism as a necessary measure to ensure respect, fairness and an inclusive development for all nations. This commitment is reflected in the initiatives taken in the proposed Fund to Alleviate COVID-19 Economics, as a vehicle for international solidarity in order to provide developing countries with the funds they need, to cope with the social-economic effects of the pandemic. Costa Rica is in constant effort to promote regional economic interdependence through the Central American Bank for Economic Integration and has been engaged in the ongoing process of joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, highlighting its aspiration to diversify its trade relations. Through these actions, Costa Rica assures a vision of a global system based in partnership and prosperity, working hand in hand with nations to the construction of a balanced international community. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind |
| Paper text: | |
| II. Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind. The preservation of global climate is essential to ensure a high quality of life for present and future generations. Ongoing environmental changes—such as rising sea levels, melting glaciers, and extreme temperature variations—pose serious threats to global stability, economic security, and public health. These impacts disproportionately affect vulnerable nations and communities, deepening inequality and undermining sustainable development efforts.Costa Rica, a country situated in one of the world’s most climate- sensitive regions, faces significant risks from these changes. Approximately 78% of the population lives in areas highly exposed to natural disasters, including floods, tropical storms, and hurricanes—hazards that are intensifying due to climate change. This reality underscores the urgent need for global cooperation to protect the planet and the people. The Costa Rican nation has already taken decisive action to protect the global climate and has gained international recognition for its ambitious environmental goals, including its plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Over 99% of the country’s electricity is generated from renewable sources, and government policies now require that all new public transportation vehicles be electric or hybrid. Costa Rica is also a pioneer in sustainable agriculture and the Payment for Environmental Services (PES) Program, which rewards landowners for preserving forests—transforming both conservation policies and rural livelihoods. In the international sector, Costa Rica has been an active member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and a strong advocate for the Paris Agreement. It also co-founded the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, which seeks to protect 30% of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030, demonstrating interest in collaborating with nations to promote global biodiversity conservation, strengthen environmental governance, and achieve collective climate goals. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination |
| Paper text: | |
| TOPIC I- Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination
The delegation of Costa Rica recognizes that the principle of the universal realization of the
right of peoples to self-determination is fundamental for all people. This principle allows our
population to be able to choose freely without having another country interfering with one’s
values, beliefs, and morals. When the United Nations began, Costa Rica started to become
active in fighting for a solution that supported decolonization, especially in drafting protocols
that related back to slavery, refugees, and women’s rights. Costa Rica has been a leading
country when it comes to moving forward in a progressive manner by concentrating in
human rights.
The delegation of Costa Rica has also been heavily involved in fighting for the right of
peoples to self-determination since 1989 by being one of the authors, alongside other
countries, to the resolution A/C.3/44/L.9 regarding the same topic. Many countries in Latin
America have been victims of human right violations due to heavy military intervention,
aggression, and coercion and Costa Rica has been an active country in preventing that from
occurring once again. But there have been some concerns brought up regarding the
representation and protection of indigenous people. The delegation of Costa Rica has been
focusing on working towards implementing more of indigenous rights within its Constitution
since it has been a concern. The Costa Rican delegation reaffirms its commitment to the
values of peace, democracy, and respect for human rights. As a country that promotes
dialogue and international cooperation,
Costa Rica seeks to actively contribute to sustainable development and equality. In this session of the General Assembly the country is focusing on two key themes, the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination and the improvement of the situation of women and girls in rural areas. TOPIC I - Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination Costa Rica firmly supports the right of every people to decide their own future without external interference. This principle is essential for maintaining peace, respect, and cooperation among nations. The delegation believes that self-determination is not only about political independence but also about allowing each community to grow and develop according to its own values, culture, and needs. In line with these principles, as a country without an army since 1948, Costa Rica believes in the power of dialogue, democracy, and education as tools for achieving stability and progress. Over the years, it has supported international initiatives that promote national sovereignty and prevent conflict. The delegation reaffirms that when people can decide their own destiny, fairer, more peaceful, and more sustainable societies can be built. Costa Rica invites all Member States to continue working together through cooperation to make this right a reality worldwide. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Improvement of the situation of women and girls in rural areas |
| Paper text: | |
| TOPIC II- Improving the situation of women and girls in rural areas
The delegation of Costa Rica has been improving their promotion of educational
attainment
in
comparison to other Latin American countries. It has been noted that 37% of women have
attained a higher educational degree, while only 35% of men have. Amongst the young
adults, it
has been seen that for women the number is 63% and for men it is about 54%. But even
though
there have been improvements, there are many areas that still need to improve in order to
keep
making the change. There have been social dilemmas revolving around girls not being in
school
to perform unpaid domestic work and unpaid care to elderly people. It is stated that the
gender
employment gap is more prominent in the rural areas compared to the urban areas.
Indigenous
women suffer more of a disadvantage because of their gender, economic and social
conditions,
and their origins. The employment rate for indigenous women is lower than that of a rural
woman. This is why the delegation of Costa Rica is working towards improving the
situation
for
women and girls, especially indigenous, in rural areas. We are looking to collaborate with
other
countries in order to improve the situation by solving the social, economic, and political
challenges that women face in society. We are looking towards building policies to help
households that lack economic resources in order to promote their children, especially
girls,
to
enroll in school.
TOPIC II - Improving the situation for women and girls in rural areas Costa Rica recognizes the important role that rural women and girls play in agriculture, protecting the environment, and supporting their communities. However they still face inequalities in education, employment, and leadership opportunities. The delegation believes that empowering them is essential to reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development. Through programs such as the National Institute for Women (INAMU) and the Rural Women’s Program (PMR), Costa Rica has launched initiatives that provide training, access to credit, and support for female entrepreneurship. The country also collaborates with UN Women and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) to create more inclusive policies that ensure equal opportunities. Costa Rica reaffirms its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 5 on Gender Equality, and encourages all Member States to share successful practices and invest in education and technology so that more rural women and girls can improve their quality of life and contribute to their communities’ progress. In conclusion Costa Rica reaffirms its commitment to peace, equality, and sustainable development. The delegation believes that promoting the self-determination of peoples and improving the lives of rural women are essential steps toward a more just, inclusive, and harmonious world. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | Our ocean, our future, our responsibility |
| Paper text: | |
|
I. Our Ocean, Our Future, Our Responsibility
We recognize how the sea shapes the climate, sustains communities, also carries
immense
cultural value worldwide. However, its health faces growing threats as temperatures hit
new
record highs in 2024, sea levels rising roughly 0.12 inches annually, acidity jumps around
17.5%, alongside pollution. Safeguarding the ocean hasn’t begun recently because it’s a
continuous global effort, highlighted by goals like SDG 14, alongside UN resolution 46/182
and strengthened at the 2022 UN Ocean Conference. Therefore, we urge the United
Nations
to continue to uphold prior precedents and to value the planet’s lasting health over quick
gains, understanding harm to nature impacts local communities now while weakening our
ability to cope later.
To tackle these problems, we recommend building a way for the UN to monitor ocean
protection efforts worldwide with a UN Ocean-Humanitarian Accountability Framework
(UNOHA). This mechanism would assess and verify if countries uphold regulations
regarding sea conservation, promote sensible environmental practices, also ensure
regions
affected by ocean catastrophes receive efficiently allocated assistance. We endorse the
expansion of cooperation alongside the United Nations, communities, Indigenous
populations, and local civilians is vital. It sharpens alerts regarding dangers, strengthens
shore protection, moreover, aids ocean habitat conservation.
Ocean well-being affects all regions, coastlines or not. Nations inland still rely on seas as
they shape climate, facilitate trade, sustain the planet. To truly help, we need involvement:
funding, effective policies, and proactive assistance. We invite the United Nations to
explore
scientific research into finding innovative solutions to the climate crisis to further aid in
global challenges - whether dealing with ongoing problems or new emergencies. We call
for
better data exchange, dedicated financial resources, and support for wastewater
treatment
to
keep pollutants out of the oceans. Genuine ocean safeguarding, together with securing
everything it sustains, demands strong, deliberate teamwork.
II. Our ocean, our future, our responsibility The protection of the world's oceans is of the utmost importance for the future of the planet. Costa Rica called on member states that protection and sustaining the oceans is no longer a choice but a requirement. As patriots to marine life conversation, implementation of care is essential so that future generations can sustain oceanic health. As pioneers of the National Plan to Combat Marine Pollution, Costa Rica and France have called member states to improve the living conditions of the population and protect the marine ecosystem. In this plan it will include environmental education and increase awareness among the population. Costa Rica has called member states to uphold the UN Plastic Treaty to end plastic pollution. Over 23 millions of plastic waste leaks into aquatic ecosystems each year. The need for alternative material over plastic is crucial in supporting marine health. Costa Rica has also called for member states to support the blue ecosystem that is key to sustaining nature and humanity. Blue ecosystems are essential for heat management of the planet, oxygen production, and supporting biodiversity. Costa Rica encourages the international community to invest in marine research, technology sharing, and financial assistance for developing states transitioning away from plastic dependency. The future of the oceans relies on the actions today. Costa Rica aims to be an example of marine conservation with over 30% of marine life protected. Along with other member states, the time for delaying is gone and needs reconciliation with the ocean.Costa Rica re-affirm states to uphold SDG goal 14. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations |
| Paper text: | |
|
I. Strengthening of the Coordination of Emergency Humanitarian Assistance of the United Nations The global decline of humanitarian aid funding has affected the lives of millions specifically poorer individuals who are in high risk environments. The greatest challenge that has come from this is the coordination of available aid. The UNDP has reported that 80% of the world's poor are exposed to climate change. These increasing environmental changes require proper aid coordination to sufficiently support displaced migrants. Some areas affected such as infrastructure and development plans in those regions need support. With aid now becoming limited it is essential to ensure aid is managed so to not repeat failed efforts from past actions. Costa Rica recalls the failures in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Haiti as cautionary examples. Delays in aid funding have also caused more migration through Central America that put strains on refugee centers and border security. This in turn has caused more migrant corridors to become overtaken by organized crime and drug trafficking. Costa Rica reaffirmed its commitment through its leadership in the Global Compact on Refugees, the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework (MIRPS), and the Quito Process, working to provide lasting solutions for those who have found safety in its territories. Costa Rica further recognizes that the continuation of aid defunding will further damage the already fragile security risk that aid is meant to assist in. Global insecurity continues to grow more each year with millions unable to get the humanitarian aid needed to survive. Bringing attention to these multilayered issues highlights the importance of effective humanitarian aid coordination, which must become a global effort to swiftly address these growing challenges. With the reduction of aid coming from stronger states, like The United States, it's imperative to globally cooperate in the coordination of funds. Facing the problems such as fund management on repeated initiatives, infrastructure support, and to face the weaponization of aid. The need for humanitarian assistance remains to be a high request, without it millions continue to suffer. Costa Rica calls on member states to re-affirm A/RES/79/40 that global cooperation is needed to reach people in need of humanitarian assistance. II. Strengthening the Coordination of Emergency Humanitarian Assistance of the United Nations The number of disasters linked to shifting climate patterns continues climbing. Recently, 372 severe weather events touched the lives of 167 million civilians globally. Consequently, the United Nations requires fresh approaches to collaboration, sidestepping red tape and financial constraints which curtail effective responses. It’s clear we must move beyond simply treating the symptoms of climate change. Instead, we encourage the building of stronger local networks by supporting those already working hard in communities, supplying funds in early warning systems, also the education of shifts in weather impacting emergency readiness. This ensures assistance reaches civil society before crises escalate. Keeping things transparent and honest is key. We ask the United Nations to enforce protections for individuals, secure aid workers, also monitor environmental impacts from humanitarian efforts. We propose a global network that manages shipments, allocates humanitarian aid, corrects infrastructure harmed by ocean related disasters, or preventive building projects, while preparing for shifts in weather patterns. Even landlocked countries face issues from rising seas, due to the waves of migrators due to climate disasters, broken supply chains, alongside limited access to food. Collective effort in aiding disaster relief is crucial. We suggest continuing collaboration and working with groups such as CEPREDENAC together with CDEMA, so they can bolster community resilience before, during, then after emergencies. Connecting disaster relief with sustained ecological attention through thorough collaboration will move worldwide work away from quick fixes towards real progress. | |
Back to the list of countries