Rebeca Grynspan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rebeca Grynspan
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Official portrait, 2024
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| Secretary-General of UNCTAD | |
| Assumed office 13 September 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Mukhisa Kituyi |
| Secretary-General of the Ibero-American General Secretariat | |
| In office 1 April 2014 – 10 September 2021 |
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| 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 |
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| Preceded by | Ad Melkert |
| Succeeded by | Maria Eugenia Casar |
| Second Vice President of Costa Rica | |
| In office 8 May 1994 – 8 May 1998 |
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| 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 important economist from Costa Rica. She has held many high-level positions around the world. Since September 2021, she has been the Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). This is a big job at the United Nations.
Before this, Ms. Grynspan was the Secretary General of the Ibero-American General Secretariat from 2014 to 2021. She also worked as a top leader at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) from 2010 to 2014. In her home country, Costa Rica, she served as 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, moved to Costa Rica from Poland. They were of Jewish background.
Ms. Grynspan studied economics at two different universities. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Costa Rica. Later, she received a Master of Arts in Economics from Sussex University in the United Kingdom.
Career Beginnings
Early in her career, Rebeca Grynspan worked as a professor. She also did research at the Economic Science Research Institute. This institute is part of the University of Costa Rica.
Political Career and Public Service
Rebeca Grynspan has a long history of working in government and for international organizations.
Serving Costa Rica
Ms. Grynspan held several important roles in her home country. She was the Vice President of Costa Rica from 1994 to 1998. During this time, she also served as the Housing Minister from 1996 to 1998. She was the Coordinating Minister of Economy from 1995 to 1996. From 1994 to 1998, she was the Coordinating Minister of Social Affairs. Earlier in her career, she was the Vice-Minister of Finance from 1986 to 1988.
Working with the United Nations
Rebeca Grynspan has spent many years working for the United Nations.
Leading UN Trade and Development
On September 13, 2021, UN Secretary-General António Guterres chose Ms. Grynspan for a very important role. She became the eighth Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). She is the first woman ever to hold this position.
Other UN Roles
From 2001 to 2006, Ms. Grynspan was the Director of the Subregional Headquarters in Mexico. This was for the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). She also helped lead the Executive Board of the International Food Policy Research Institute. She was part of UN groups that worked on poverty and economic development.
From 2006 to 2010, she was an Assistant Secretary-General at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). She was also the Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2010, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed her as a UN Under-Secretary-General. She also became the Associate Administrator of UNDP.
Leading the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB)
In February 2014, Rebeca Grynspan was chosen to be the Secretary General of the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB). This group connects countries in Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. All 22 member countries agreed to her appointment. She took over from Enrique V. Iglesias.
In 2016, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asked her to join a group called the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement. This group works to improve nutrition around the world.
In 2021, the G20 group of major economies appointed her to a special panel. This panel focused on how to pay for global efforts to prepare for and respond to pandemics.
Returning to the United Nations
In June 2021, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres suggested Ms. Grynspan for the top job at UNCTAD. Member countries agreed, and she started her role in Geneva.
Awards and Recognition
Rebeca Grynspan has received many honors for her work. In 2014 and 2015, she was named one of the top 50 thinkers in Latin America. In 2017, she received a Forbes Excellence Award. The Spanish Government also gave her a high honor called the Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso X, the Wise.
Two universities have given her honorary doctorates. These are the University of Extremadura and the European University. This is to recognize her amazing professional achievements.
Other Activities and Memberships
Rebeca Grynspan is involved in many other important groups and initiatives.
- She is a member of the Strategic Committee for the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA).
- She is part of several Global Councils at the World Economic Forum (WEF). These councils focus on international governance, public-private cooperation, sustainable development, and poverty.
- She is on the Steering Committee for the UNICEF Scaling-up Nutrition (SUN) Movement.
- She is a member of the Governing Council for the Society for International Development (SID).
- She serves on the Advisory Board for the Global Institute for Sustainable Prosperity (GISP).
- She is a member of the Inter-American Dialogue.
- She is on the Advisory Board for the International Economic Forum of the Americas (IEFA).
- She is a member of the Global Commission on the Future of Work for the International Labour Organization (ILO).
- She is a Co-Chair of the Fourth Sector Group.
- She is a member of the Women Political Leaders Global Forum and W20.
- In 2021, the president of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, named her as a special international advisor. This was for Argentina's Economic and Social Council.
- Also in 2021, she joined the G20 High-Level Independent Panel. This panel worked on financing global efforts for pandemic preparedness and response.
Images for kids
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Official portrait, 2024
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UN Trade and Development Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan during the opening of the UNCTAD60 Global Leaders Forum. At the photo, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres. (12 June 2024)
See also
In Spanish: Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis para niños
