Press Release                                                  

June 5, 2001

 

IACD AND COSTA RICA SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT AT OAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

            San Jose, Costa Rica.–The Inter-American Agency for Cooperation and Development (IACD) today signed an agreement with the Costa Rican government to develop programs that will utilize Costa Rica’s technical expertise in several fields to benefit other countries in the Americas. Potential areas of cooperation include biodiversity, distance education and protection of citizens’ rights through the strengthening of ombudsmen.

 

            Ron Scheman, Director General of the IACD, applauded Costa Rica’s decision to offer technical cooperation through the Inter-American Agency. Using this new approach to development, certain “best practices” that have proven effective in Costa Rica can be applied in other countries to solve key development challenges.

 

"Costa Rica has established an enviable record as a leader in environmental management, protection of human rights and the use of computers in the classrooms,” Scheman said. “With this agreement, Costa Rica joins the roster of nations that are beginning to export knowledge in a comprehensive manner.”

 

            At the signing ceremony, the Director of International Cooperation for the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Costa Rica, Noemí Baruch, said her government was pleased to have the opportunity to share its experience in important development areas. “Our country’s investment in key sectors such as education has allowed us to accumulate valuable experience and knowledge, which we have always been willing to share cooperatively,” she said.

 

            The IACD, an agency of the Organization of American States (OAS), was established in November 1999 to promote technical cooperation and training programs necessary to accelerate economic development in the countries of the hemisphere. It is committed to opening new avenues to tap the experience, technology and resources of the private sector to help the governments of the Americas to win the battle against poverty.

 

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