Rebeca Grynspan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rebeca Grynspan
|
|
|---|---|
_Secretary-General_Rebeca_Grynspan.jpg)
Official portrait, 2024
|
|
| Secretary-General of UNCTAD | |
| Assumed office 13 September 2021 |
|
| Preceded by | Mukhisa Kituyi |
| Secretary-General of the Ibero-American General Secretariat | |
| In office 1 April 2014 – 10 September 2021 |
|
| Preceded by | Enrique Iglesias |
| Succeeded by | Andrés Allamand (designated) |
| Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme | |
| In office 1 February 2010 – 1 April 2014 |
|
| Preceded by | Ad Melkert |
| Succeeded by | Maria Eugenia Casar |
| Second Vice President of Costa Rica | |
| In office 8 May 1994 – 8 May 1998 |
|
| President | José María Figueres |
| Preceded by | Arnoldo López Echandi |
| Succeeded by | Elizabeth Odio Benito |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 December 1955 San José, Costa Rica |
| Political party | National Liberation Party |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Costa Rica University of Sussex |
Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis (born 14 December 1955) is an economist from Costa Rica. She has held many important jobs around the world. Since September 2021, she has been the Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). This is a big role where she helps countries work together on trade and development.
Before this, Grynspan was the Secretary General of the Ibero-American General Secretariat from 2014 to 2021. She also worked for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) from 2010 to 2014. In Costa Rica, she was the Vice President of Costa Rica from 1994 to 1998.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Rebeca Grynspan was born in San José, Costa Rica. Her parents, Manuel Grynspan Burstin and Sara Mayufis Schapiro, came from Poland.
She studied economics at the University of Costa Rica. Later, she earned a master's degree in economics from Sussex University in the United Kingdom.
Early Career Steps
When she first started her career, Rebeca Grynspan was a professor. She also worked as a researcher at the Economic Science Research Institute at the University of Costa Rica. This helped her learn a lot about how economies work.
Political Career
Serving Costa Rica
Rebeca Grynspan held several important positions in her home country. From 1994 to 1998, she served as the Vice President of Costa Rica.
During this time, she also took on other roles. She was the Housing Minister from 1996 to 1998. She also helped coordinate economic and social affairs for the government. Earlier, from 1986 to 1988, she was the Vice-Minister of Finance.
Working with the United Nations
Rebeca Grynspan has had a long and important career with the United Nations. On September 13, 2021, she was chosen to lead UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). She is the first woman ever to hold this top position.
From 2001 to 2006, she worked for the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in Mexico. She also helped lead the International Food Policy Research Institute.
Later, from 2006 to 2010, she was an Assistant Secretary-General at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In 2010, she became a UN Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator for UNDP. This meant she helped manage many of the UN's development projects around the world.
Leading the Ibero-American Secretariat
In February 2014, Rebeca Grynspan was chosen to be the Secretary General of the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB). This group helps countries in Latin America, Spain, and Portugal work together. She was chosen by all 22 member countries. She held this role until September 2021.
In 2016, she joined a group called the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement. This group works to improve nutrition for people around the world. In 2021, she also joined a special panel for the G20 group of countries. This panel focused on how to pay for global health efforts, like preparing for pandemics.
Back to the United Nations
In June 2021, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, suggested Rebeca Grynspan for the top job at UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Member countries agreed, and she started her new role in September 2021.
Awards and Recognition
Rebeca Grynspan has received many awards for her work. In 2014 and 2015, she was named one of the top thinkers in Latin America. In 2017, she received a Forbes Excellence Award.
The Spanish Government also gave her a special honor called the Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso X, the Wise. Two universities, the University of Extremadura and the European University, gave her honorary doctorates. This means they recognized her great achievements.
Other Activities
Rebeca Grynspan is also involved in many other important groups and organizations. She helps guide discussions on global issues like international cooperation and sustainable development.
- Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA), Member of the Strategic Committee
- World Economic Forum (WEF), Member of Global Councils
- UNICEF Scaling-up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, Member of the Steering Committee
- Society for International Development (SID), Member of the Governing Council
- Global Institute for Sustainable Prosperity (GISP), Member of the Advisory Board
- Inter-American Dialogue, Member
- International Economic Forum of the Americas (IEFA), Member of the Advisory Board
- International Labour Organization (ILO), Member of the Global Commission on the Future of Work
- Fourth Sector Group, Co-Chair
- Women Political Leaders Global Forum, Member
- W20, Member
See also
In Spanish: Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis para niños
