Spanish Ambassador to Costa Rica Visits CATIE and Explores Collaboration Opportunities

• Diplomat stated that there are common points to generate projects and programs in sustainable agriculture and livestock.

November 6, 2023. Eva Martínez Sánchez, the Ambassador of Spain to Costa Rica, visited the CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) to get acquainted with the institution's work at the national and regional levels, with the aim of identifying potential future cooperation points.

The delegation was welcomed by Muhammad Ibrahim, the General Director of CATIE, Carlos Araya, the Director of the Office of Green Business Development and Strategic Alliances, Vladimir Valera, a researcher in the Forests Unit and Director of ACTIVA – CATIE, Bárbara Viguera, a researcher in the Unit of Environmental Economics and Sustainable Agribusiness, Gretel Guerra, the coordinator of the Gender Unit, and Reinhold Muschler, the coordinator of the Agrobiodiversity and Food Security Unit.

The General Director of CATIE provided an extensive overview of the institution's work and its impact on people's lives. Ibrahim stated, "We have had a long history of collaborations with Spain, mainly with numerous universities, which have resulted in a fruitful exchange of professionals."

The Ambassador mentioned that it was her first time visiting the CATIE campus. She was accompanied by Patricia Pertejo, the Agriculture Counselor.

"I am amazed by what I have seen, an institution dedicated to education and research with a strong focus on agricultural and livestock issues in pursuit of sustainable development. I believe the projects they generate will have a positive impact on the world," expressed Martínez.

The diplomat noted that CATIE's collaborations with universities such as the University of Córdoba and the University of Santiago de Compostela, as well as institutions associated with the Ministry of Agriculture of Spain, have been significant. However, based on her visit, she emphasized that there will be many more opportunities for cooperation.

Possibilities for Cooperation

Eva Martínez acknowledged that nearly 40 years of cooperation with Costa Rica have been achieved, and there are additional opportunities to collaborate with CATIE.

Three key priorities for working with AECID (Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation) were highlighted, which align with CATIE's daily work, including environmental programs, gender initiatives, innovation, and technology.

"I am confident that when we sit down with CATIE's experts, we will be able to formulate joint projects in these vital areas that will contribute to the advancement of sustainable agriculture and livestock development," she commented.

The Ambassador and the Agriculture Counselor visited the Orthodox Seed Germplasm Bank, the International Cocoa Collection, as well as the Commercial Farm.