On September 15, Costa Rica celebrates the 205th anniversary of its independence with a profound sense of pride in our history and responsibility for our future.
On this day in 1821, Costa Rica, became independent from the Spanish Crown, beginning a journey that, over two centuries, has shaped our nation and its identity.
Costa Rica’s character has been deeply influenced by a commitment to peace, democracy, human dignity and respect for nature. We have sought to build a society where human well-being, education and environmental stewardship are central to national development.
The abolition of our armed forces in 1948 was a defining decision in this journey, allowing the country to channel resources towards education, health and social development, while strengthening our commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as instruments for building peaceful societies.
These principles continue to guide Costa Rica’s foreign policy, with a strong emphasis on human rights, the rule of law, peace and disarmament, multilateralism and environmental protection.
It is in Kenya, a country with which Costa Rica shares many of these values, where we celebrate this important milestone. Our two nations may be separated by thousands of kilometres, but we are brought together by a shared belief in the importance of peace, democracy, sustainable development and the protection of our extraordinary natural heritage.
Both Costa Rica and Kenya are proud custodians of remarkable biodiversity. From Kenya’s savannahs, forests and wildlife to Costa Rica’s tropical forests, marine ecosystems and exceptional biological richness, our natural patrimony is an essential part of our national identity. We also share the conviction that protecting nature is not only an environmental responsibility, but an investment in the well-being and prosperity of future generations.
Our countries also understand the importance of multilateralism and international cooperation. As nations that have chosen to make their voices heard through dialogue and diplomacy, Costa Rica and Kenya demonstrate that countries of all sizes and from all regions can make meaningful contributions to addressing global challenges.
This shared foundation provides a strong basis for the friendship between Costa Rica and Kenya, a partnership that we are committed to deepening.
Our bilateral cooperation has grown in areas of mutual interest, including environmental management, sustainable tourism and education. There is enormous potential to expand this exchange of experiences and knowledge. Costa Rica’s experience in areas such as conservation, renewable energy and sustainable tourism can offer useful perspectives, just as Kenya’s achievements and innovations in conservation, tourism, sustainable development and other fields provide valuable lessons for Costa Rica.
This is not a one-way exchange. It is a partnership in which both countries have much to learn from one another and in which mutual collaboration can generate tangible benefits for our peoples.
Our political relationship is also gaining momentum. In 2018, Costa Rica and Kenya signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a framework for political consultations, with the objective of strengthening friendly relations and expanding cooperation in the cultural, economic, commercial, scientific, academic and technical fields.
We look forward to holding the first round of these consultations before the end of this year, an important step that reflects our shared commitment to giving greater depth and substance to our bilateral partnership.
As Costa Rica celebrates 205 years of Independence, we look towards the future with optimism. Our national identity, built around peace, democracy, respect for nature and human development, remains as relevant today as it was at the defining moments of our history.
Costa Rica sees Kenya not only as a valued partner in Africa, but as a country with which we share a remarkable number of aspirations and principles. By fostering our engagement, exchanging knowledge and working together in the multilateral arena, we can contribute to a more peaceful, sustainable and prosperous world.
The friendship between Costa Rica and Kenya reminds us that geography does not have to be a barrier to cooperation. On the contrary, the distance between our two countries makes our shared values all the more meaningful—and our partnership all the more promising.
As we commemorate Costa Rica’s independence anniversary, we celebrate not only our own journey, but also the bonds of friendship that connect us to Kenya. We look forward to continuing to build together on this shared vision of peace, sustainability and human dignity.
Ms Gutierrez is the Ambassador of Costa Rica to Kenya and Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to UNON, UNEP and UN-Habitat.
