Media Center

Press Release

New Representative of Costa Rica to the OAS Presents Credentials

The new Permanent Representative of the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica to the Organization of American States (OAS), Édgar Ugalde Álvarez, today presented his credentials to the Organization’s Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, in a ceremony held in Washington, DC.

Ambassador Ugalde Álvarez, who succeeds Ambassador Enrique Castillo, today Minister of External Relations and Religion of Costa Rica, acknowledged his great responsibility in exercising his country’s representation “in this doubtless the most important regional forum.” He recalled that the creation of the hemispheric organization in the 19th century gave way to a political and juridical movement “of great vigor,” and that its role in the Inter-American System continues to be “fundamental.”

The Costa Rican diplomat, who recently served as his country’s Deputy Minister of External Relations and Culture, said that “we share the vision that American leaders, including yourself, Secretary General, must not allow the clouds along the way to obscure the destiny of an Organization that must continue to mark the road towards the consolidation of democracy, freedom, solidarity, development, and the wellbeing of our peoples.”

Secretary General Insulza expressed the great confidence he harbors regarding the future work and representation of Ambassador Ugalde Álvarez before the Organization, and recalled that one of the “great tasks” of the OAS is to “keep the Hemisphere united.” “Within a general framework of growing willingness for democracy, growing willingness for human rights, the defense of justice, progress in equality within our countries, we have very different visions, very diverse interests that tend to clash, and the more relevant the institution, the more such problems will continue to exist.” He warned, nevertheless, that “we must not fear those tensions, but on the contrary, I hold that as long as a positive environment for dialogue can be created and as long as we are capable of openly airing our differences, we’ll continue to make progress on the unity of the Hemisphere.”

The head of the OAS added that “this is why we must respect our diversity and at the same time express very clearly our opinions and our debates.” And he concluded: “in this sense, the words of the founding Secretary General, Alberto Lleras Camargo, still live with us: The OAS is going to be exactly what the Member States want it to be. It is up to the Member States to forge this unity and the diversity that characterizes this great Organization,” he ended.

The new Costa Rican Representative to the OAS was Deputy Minister of External Relations and Culture between 2006 and 2010, and served as his country’s Ambassador to Colombia (2010-2011), the Kingdom of the Netherlands (2002-2006 and 1987-1989), Nicaragua (1994-2001), and the European Communities (1976-1978). He is also an Agent of Costa Rica before the International Court of Justice.

The credentials presentation ceremony was also attended by the Chair of the Permanent Council and Guyana’s Representative to the OAS, Ambassador Bayney R. Karran, as well as other Member State representatives.

A gallery of photos of the event are available here.

For more information, please visit the OAS Website at www.oas.org.

Reference: E-989/11