Ambassador Antonio Lehmann and Dr. Ina Knobloch

Costa Rica is regarded worldwide as a pioneer in the field of sustainability and proves that economic growth and environmental protection can go hand in hand.

His Excellency Ambassador Antonio Lehmann proudly accepted the Country Award for Costa Rica and expressed his sincere thanks for this great honor.

Costa Rican Foreign Minister André-Tinoco Arnoldo joined the event via video and gave an emotionally moving speech about the various measures Costa Rica has taken to successfully implement sustainability.

The laudator Dr. Ina Knobloch presented a quote from Carlos Alvarado Quesada, the former President of Costa Rica: “We are not saying that everyone has to do exactly the same thing, but we can say that it is possible – and we have achieved it in a model that creates prosperity and economic growth.”

The country has set itself the goal of creating a CO₂-neutral economy by 2050, with more than 98% of its energy already coming from renewable sources such as hydro, wind and solar power. This is part of a comprehensive decarbonization plan that includes the electrification of transport, the expansion of environmentally friendly cities and sustainable waste management.