Rebeca Grynspan becomes first female secretary-general of UNCTAD

Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica became the first woman to be appointed as secretary-general of UNCTAD, the United Nations Trade and Development body.

Her nomination to the post by UN Secretary-General António Guterres was approved on Sunday by the UN General Assembly, reads a press release.

Grynspan is an economist, former vice president of the Central American nation, and current Ibero-American secretary-general.

“I am grateful and honoured for the trust UN Secretary-General António Guterres has placed in me with this appointment as secretary-general of UNCTAD,” said Grynspan.

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

Grynspan worked as an associate administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

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

She has also served as UNDP’s regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, a member of the High-level Panel on Financing for Development, and vice president of Costa Rica from 1994 to 1998.

UNCTAD Acting Secretary-General Isabelle Durant welcomed the appointment and said, “The timely coming on board of 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, UNCTAD15, in October this year.”