Carlos Andrés Alvarado Quesada is a distinguished Costa Rican statesman, writer, journalist, and political scientist who served as the 48th president of Costa Rica from May 8, 2018, to May 8, 2022. At just 38 years old, Alvarado became the youngest Costa Rican president in over a century, following Alfredo González Flores, who took office in 1914 at the age of 36. His presidency is widely celebrated for pioneering achievements in sustainability, environmental policy, and global health governance.

Alvarado’s administration earned global acclaim for its ambitious climate leadership and strategic management of the COVID-19 pandemic, positioning Costa Rica as a beacon of innovation and resilience on the world stage. In recognition of his exceptional dedication to environmental conservation, Alvarado was awarded the 2022 Planetary Leadership Award by the National Geographic Society at the United Nations Ocean Conference. This prestigious award honors leaders who have established globally significant protected areas and safeguarded natural resources from exploitation. Additionally, in 2019, he was named one of TIME’s 100 Next emerging leaders, hailed for shaping the future of global governance. That same year, he accepted the Champion of the Earth Award—the United Nations’ highest environmental honor—on behalf of Costa Rica, recognizing his administration’s outstanding contributions to policy leadership.

Alvarado’s impact extended far beyond environmental stewardship. His administration made significant strides in promoting human rights, defending democracy, and bolstering multilateral cooperation. Under his leadership, Costa Rica played a critical role in the creation of the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP) with the World Health Organization, ensuring equitable, affordable access to life-saving COVID-19 technologies worldwide. His tenure also brought about historic fiscal reforms that strengthened the national economy and enhanced the country’s financial sustainability.

In February 2019, President Alvarado unveiled Costa Rica’s National Decarbonization Plan, the first roadmap aligned with the Paris Agreement to transition an entire national economy to carbon neutrality by 2050. His administration successfully organized the lead-up to the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP25) and co-founded the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People with France and the United Kingdom, a global alliance that now includes over 100 member states. His leadership also secured Costa Rica’s accession to the OECD, making it the first Central American country and only the fourth in Latin America to join this prestigious global economic organization.

Before his presidency, Alvarado held key cabinet roles as Minister of Labor and Social Security (2016–2018) and Minister of Human Development and Social Inclusion (2014–2016). He also served as Executive President of the Joint Social Welfare Institute, spearheading programs to reduce poverty and enhance social protection. Earlier in his career, Alvarado gained private-sector experience with Procter & Gamble in Latin America, further refining his strategic and leadership skills.

A celebrated advocate for sustainable development, global equity, and forward-thinking governance, Carlos Alvarado has joined the Honorary Advisory Panel of The Hague Institute for Global Justice as a thought leader on small-state diplomacy and global problem-solving.