Rebeca Grynspan

Name: Paris Peace Forum 2025
Start: 2025-10-29T09:30:00+01:00
End: 2025-10-30T18:00:00+01:00

UNCTAD

Secretary-General

Description

Rebeca Grynspan has served as Secretary-General of UNCTAD since September 2021, the first woman to lead the organization in its 60-year history. An economist and former Vice President of Costa Rica, she has extensive experience in government, multilateral negotiations and UN leadership. She previously served as Secretary-General of the Ibero-American Conference (2014–2021); UN Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator of UNDP; and UNDP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. She played a central role in the Black Sea Initiative, enabling the export of 33 million tons of grain and easing global food prices. Her leadership has earned international recognition, including the 2024 Doha Negotiator of the Year Award. She holds degrees in economics from the University of Costa Rica and the University of Sussex.