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The Republic ofCosta RicaPosition Paper2018 Summit of the AmericasI. GENERAL STATEMENTThe Delegation of Costa Rica would like to express its appreciation to all member states of the Organization of American States (OAS) for their commitment to searching for a democratic solution to the issues surrounding the Americas. The ability for countries in a region to come together to address the issues that affect us all respectfully and democratically is essential to finding solutions that further the goals of the OAS. The Delegation of Costa Rica strongly believes the forum of the OAS is ideal for coming to multilateral solutions and that through plurality, clear, legitimate, and strong resolutions can be reached. Through the sharing of information, the member states of the OAS will be more capable of achieving smarter and more efficient results. The Delegation of Costa Rica believes diplomacy is the only path through which regional complications should be addressed and that the OAS is similarly committed to nonviolence and dialogue as the primary means of negotiation.Costa Rica works to exemplify the ideals of the OAS by being one of the leaders in all aspects of human rights so that other nations may follow the path that the Republic of Costa Rica has helped set. On December 1st, 1948 Costa Rica dissolved its armed forces and to this day continues to be identified strongly with its commitment to peace and diplomacy. ?Under the leadership of President Carlos Alvaro Quesada, The Republic of Costa Rica has strengthened its commitment to fighting corruption, enhancing democratic values, peace, and reclaiming its identity as a country at the forefront of environmental causes. Additionally, the administration has put forth a humanistic approach to security and strives for solutions that are preventative rather than reactive. The Republic of Costa Rica enters the summit of the Americas with the understanding that a state of goodwill and prosperity comes at the expense of continuous support from all states, and it is reminded by former-President and winner of the Nobel Prize (1987) Oscar Arias, “Peace is not the product of a victory or a command. It has no finishing line, no final deadline, no fixed definition of achievement. Peace is a never-ending process, the work of many decision.” One of the primary causes of the significant issues that the member states of the OAS face is the violence that exists in the region, which is why we must continue to fight for peace, recognizing that there is no quick way to ensure that any peace we create is everlasting. One of the best ways to work towards peace involves recognizing the humanity of every person and now is the best time to ensure this due to the ongoing massive migration that exists throughout the Americas. The Republic of Costa Rica has helped lead the way in recognizing the humanity of all people by accepting as many refugees and migrants fleeing oppression as possible. While this has created some economic hardship, the Republic of Costa Rica understands that doing what is right requires a struggle and all nations must join in this fight for the betterment of humanity. The Republic of Costa Rica is prepared to continue working with other member nations to ensure the betterment of the region and humanity as a whole. In conclusion, the Republic of Costa Rica is committed to ensuring the advancement of human rights throughout all member states of the OAS and recognizes that in this technological age, information sharing among the OAS nations is essential for humanity to live prosperously.II. PARTICULAR STATEMENTSA. Committee: General Committee (GC)Topic A: Addressing the Rights of Migrants, Refugees, and Asylum SeekersThe Delegation of Costa Rica continues to support the recognition of the human rights of migrants in this hemisphere by the OAS and appreciates the opportunity to continue to search for a practical solution to the current issue surrounding migrants. The outpouring of refugees from the Republic of Nicaragua has continued to grow as thousands of innocent civilians flee persecution and violence. This massive migration has continued to increase as time goes by and has put an enormous strain on the resources of many of the countries providing assistance to these vulnerable people. Because of the situations under which many migrants and refugees move to another country, the resources that they bring with them are minimal and are often barely enough for them to get to their destination. This puts immense pressure on nations that are putting forth the effort to accept these migrants and provide them with an environment that is both safe and prosperous. Resources often go to waste due to mismanagement or incorrect predictions which causes hardships not only on the migrants but on the local populations as well. The recognition of the rights of these vulnerable groups includes their right to not only survival but prosperity. The OAS has made remarkable strides in this area, and the proper and efficient allocation of resources must be recognized as an issue of the utmost importance in order for any other solutions that the member states arrive at to be successful.Recognizing the plight of vulnerable people in this hemisphere has been at the forefront of conversations in organizations ranging from the OAS to the United Nations (UN). Many parallels can be drawn from the current migration crisis in Europe to the ongoing issue in the Americas. Because this has been more than just a regional issue, organizations such as the UN have gotten involved and presented a large amount of data and have worked towards finding a solution. On September 19, 2016 all member states of the UN adopted the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants which stressed the importance of cooperation of countries regarding the ongoing massive migrations that are occurring in several parts of the world. Under this declaration, the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework was established with the objectives of easing the pressure on host countries, enhancing the self-reliance of refugees, expanding solutions and recognizing that nations must work together to boost the countries from which people are fleeing. The frameworks referenced by this declaration have been established in several countries throughout Africa and Central America and this action is to be commended as an essential step in tackling this issue.The Republic of Costa Rica continues to emphasize the importance of protecting the rights of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers as they flee the active threats that they face daily. Costa Rica has consistently been among the most welcoming nations regarding migrants and refugees from countries throughout Latin America. Refugees and migrants deserve better than temporary camps and facilities which is why refugees in Costa Rica live among its citizens in houses and apartments in cities. Every human is entitled to a set of fundamental rights and dignity which Costa Ricans exemplify as they proudly proclaim their acceptance of those in need. Because of how accepting Costa Ricans are, over 12,500 refugees now call Costa Rica home and are working to better the lives of other refugees, and the lives of the people that welcomed them into the country. While the current increase in migrants and refugees has put immense pressure on the existing resources available in Costa Rica, there are currently 6,500 requests for asylum that are being processed to try and protect and create a home for as many vulnerable people as possible. Last year Costa Rica established a Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework as outlined by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and looks to expand on the successes generated by this program so that all member states can work together to better this system.The Republic of Costa Rica understands that one of the hardest aspects that countries face when receiving refugees is determining and managing the resources that these vulnerable people require. In recognition of the importance of information sharing throughout the OAS, the Delegation of Costa Rica drafted a resolution that proposes to form a council that communicates with countries accepting migrants and refugees to compile research and share the results to better prepare these countries for the challenges that they will face. When refugees and migrants move to a new nation that they provide them with a safe and prosperous environment, they do not bring enough resources to get by in the long-term. Because the resources of the refugee accepting countries are limited, these nations must use their resources not only effectively, but efficiently. By creating a council that compiles refugee data and determines the best method for allocation of resources, the OAS can ensure that the needs of these vulnerable people are met while allowing maximum focus to be on identifying the situations causing refugees and determining how to correct them. This resolution also recognizes that many of the citizens in accepting countries throughout the hemisphere may not fully understand the plight of these migrants and their intentions which may lead to an adverse reaction by some. The established council will seek to inform the populace about the struggles that migrants and refugees face throughout the hemisphere and reassure the populace that these people are here to work with them towards a better future for all. The member states of the OAS must remember that a primary purpose of the organization under Article 1 of the Charter of the OAS is to promote, by cooperative action, economic, social, and cultural development. By integrating migrants and refugees both efficiently and effectively with regards to resources, every member state will ensure that there is a progression in all areas of development throughout the ic B: Hemispheric Standards on Protection of Journalists and Freedom of the PressThe Delegation of Costa Rica would like to extend its gratitude to the member states of the OAS for recognizing the importance of Freedom of the Press. Historically, the lack of freedom of the press across large swaths of the Americas has been a dark spot that has seen rays of light penetrate in recent years. The protection of journalists has been lacking as the world has seen several journalists murdered throughout many of the nations that make up the OAS. We know that journalists have been under attack for reporting on organized criminal groups that participate in drug and human trafficking alongside reporting on corrupt governments that have risen in areas of this hemisphere. Throughout the first four months of 2018, sixteen journalists were murdered in the Caribbean and Latin America as they sought to inform the populace and to help ensure the protection of vulnerable people in our society. Journalists in countries in the midst of a political crisis in the Americas have also been subjected to violence to keep them from informing the populace of government crackdowns on protesters. However, even with this violence that has occurred, this hemisphere, with only a few exceptions, is still one of the safest places on the planet for journalists and this must be recognized. We can use the success that our hemisphere has experienced as a foundation with which we can continue to further the freedom of the press and protection of journalists.The OAS has recognized that the right of humanity to freedom of expression is vital to a successful democracy. The Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression states “Freedom of expression and manifestations is a fundamental and inalienable right of all individuals.” The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) also recognizes that a free press is part of the foundation of a thriving democracy and is essential to the advancement of society. With the recent attacks on journalists by governments such as Russia and Saudi Arabia, the issue of the protection of journalists has been brought to the forefront of the conversation of freedom of the press. According to UNESCO over 800 journalists and other members of the media have been murdered in the last decade which is unacceptable and has been condemned by the Director-General. The killing of journalists is in direct violation of Resolution 29 of the 29th UNESCO General Conference, and in many war-torn regions of the world, the immediate threat to journalists is ever present. Over time the member states of the OAS have made a massive improvement when it comes to the protection of journalists and most states excel compared to many other parts of the world. Member states must continue on this path and must further emphasize the importance of a free press so that a healthy relationship may be fostered between governments and the citizens they represent.The Republic of Costa Rica recognizes that one of the pillars of democracy is the Freedom of the Press and the protection of journalists that attempt to hold their representatives in government accountable. BIBLIOGRAPHY \l 1033 As a nation recognized in the top ten countries in the world in terms of press freedom by Reporters Without Borders, Costa Rica exemplifies the true meaning of a free press and the democracy that they help uphold. In addition to this Costa Rica is recognized as the best country for journalists in the entirety of the Americas. With journalists and the free press under attack all around the world, Costa Rica remains committed to working with the OAS to ensure the protection of this fundamental pillar of a free, modern society. The Supreme Court of Costa Rica ruled in 2014 that governmental surveillance of reporters’ phones is unconstitutional and recognized the importance of reporting on governments in every country, not just those that see large-scale violence. The value of a free press is not truly realized until times of crisis yet we must appreciate the vital work that reporters do every day in every country around the world and Costa Rica will continue working to emphasize this basic fact.For journalists that report in areas where they face imminent danger, reporting information directly using their name places them at an elevated risk. Their lives, along with those of their families, are put in jeopardy solely because they commit to the ideal of putting the truth above all else. The Delegation of Costa Rica has created a resolution that recognizes that there are many conflicts and organized groups that are detrimental to society and need reported on while noting that the journalists involved need protected. To combat this issue, the Delegation of Costa Rica proposes the creation of a database through the Inter-American Council on Human Rights (IACHR) that allows journalists to report on groups that would threaten them without having the personal information of the journalist referenced directly. We must uphold the high standards of the OAS which would require a proper verification of the reporter by the IACHR who would protect their identities while at the same time, verifying that stories reported have a basis in reality. All around the world journalists put not only their own lives at stake, but that of their families as well to protect democracies and the people that live within them. Democracies are of vital importance in this hemisphere as stated in Article 2 of the Charter of the OAS which recognizes that one of the primary purposes of the OAS is to promote and consolidate representative democracy.B. Committee: Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI)Topic A: Hemispheric Cooperation on Climate Change InitiativesThe Delegation of Costa Rica affirms that global climate change is a threat to the OAS and the western hemisphere in general. ?The Earth’s temperature has risen about .9 degrees Celsius in the last century, with “[m]ost of the warming occurr[ing] in the past 35 years, with the five warmest years on record taking place since 2010,”. The Delegation would like to point out that due to these warming conditions, the most extensive ice sheets have decreased rapidly in size. According to research conducted by NASA: Greenland lost an average of 281 billion tons of ice per year between 1993 and 2016, while Antarctica lost about 119 billion tons during the same period. The rate of Antarctica ice mass loss has tripled in the last decade.The ice melting has not only caused the rapid endangerment of polar climates and species that depend on them but is also threatening many coastal regions and cities globally. ?The massive amounts of melted ice sheets and glaciers add water to oceans. That, along with the fact that when water heats up, it takes more space, which contributes to sea levels rising very quickly across the globe (mean increase of 3.2 mm per year). ?With rising sea levels, the Costa Rican Delegation emphasizes the need to reduce climate change in order to protect member states’ coastal populations and environments.The Delegation of Costa Rica would like to thank member states for their increased concern of this issue over recent years. ?Many initiatives dealing with climate change have been created and signed, and the delegation applauds the efforts of these states. ?The Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) is one of the multilateral partnerships that assist the members with climate issues. ?Most recently, 24 members met in September and agreed upon an action plan to begin the transition to renewable energy policies. The Delegation also points out the growth of the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum and its efforts in informing participants on the best ways to increase renewable energy efforts. ?It has made great initiatives and plans for transitioning to these means of energy production. Latin America leads the world in climate change initiatives and total percentages of renewable energy creation and use. The Costa Rican Delegation would like to share some of its own efforts on this issue as well. The “production of renewable energy covered 99.62 of the electricity needs of [Costa Rica]...” in 2017. ?Costa Rica began slowly but steadily increasing renewable energy development until reaching this high percentage of renewable energy production. The delegation also would like to state that Costa Rica has recently developed an Electric Transportation Bill (2017) to combat the extensive use of petroleum-based products, such as gasoline, in the country. ?The Bill offers many incentives for citizens to use electric cars such as multiple tax exemptions and more frequent charging stations. It is projected that Costa Rica could have as many as 100 thousand electric vehicles in use by 2035. The Costa Rican Delegation sees these efforts as valuable to the sustainability and future preservation of its own country, the whole region, and the earth. ?Efforts in climate change initiatives have been more effective in Latin America than many other areas of the globe, but the delegation still pushes to increase the focus and acceleration of these efforts. The Delegation of Costa Rica feels as though the member states should approach climate change initiatives through a multilateral system. ?The delegation hopes to start regional conferences between OAS states that share similar renewable resource availability. By sharing information, successes, and specific examples of renewable energy initiatives within a smaller group of states, eventually the whole region can benefit from an increase in renewable power. ?The tailored approach to these conferences will allow members to be more detail-oriented in their information and the Costa Rican Delegation feels that this will help the transition to renewable energy greatly. The Delegation looks forward to these positive transitions with such a wonderful group. The Delegation has a positive outlook on these initiatives and this region in the future of renewable energy to help control climate change and protect our future. ?Topic B: Creating Mechanisms to Encourage Free and Fair Trade??The Delegation of Costa Rica would like to draw importance to the issue of trade between the member states of the OAS and on a global scale. Firstly, the delegation thanks the OAS for all the initiatives already taken that have had a positive impact on trade and the economies of member states. These policies help member states improve their private sector by working with civil society to provide jobs and expand industry, resulting in increased trade; while also assisting states to take into account environmental policies that are effective for socio-economic goals. Secondly, acknowledging that Latin American countries are not as competitive as European and Asian countries, but with further cooperation between states and the OAS, we could achieve greater roles in the global economy. For instance, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are the main component of the productive structure in OAS member states. According to the OAS, they account for more than 99% of businesses, two-thirds of the jobs, and 30% of the GDP. However, less than 10% of these MSMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean participate in export activities and global value chains, a lesser percentage than those of Europe and Asia. The Delegation of Costa Rica believes this is crucial because of the growing rate of globalization which effectually makes our economies more intertwined and interdependent on one another. In order for our goal of having an increasingly significant role in the global economy to be attained, we must focus on strengthening our own institutional and human capabilities so that we may effectively participate in the negotiation, implementation, and administration of trade agreements. As the Delegation of Costa Rica mentioned before, the OAS has already accomplished quite a bit when it comes to strengthening our economies and policies on an individual and hemispheric level, so that we may participate as competitively as possible on a global scale. Under Trade and Economic Development (TED), a training program helps to directly build trade capacity and institutional strength, by offering courses to government officials, small business owners, and representatives of civil society organizations. These courses include education on international trade policy, multilateral and regional trade issues, support for the implementation of certain agreements, as well as assistance in business planning for MSMEs. The ‘V Inter-American Dialogue of High-Level MSME Authorities,’ approved in May of 2017, focuses on horizontal cooperation that will result in competitiveness, innovation, and internationalization of MSMEs. In order to achieve this, the work plan of the dialogue includes figuring out the best ways to guide public policies involving MSMEs, since the great potential for our economies is present in our MSMEs. They have also created an Inter-American Committee on Ports, which helps keep ports secure, plan for port placement (important for competitiveness), and creates the most energy efficient way for import/export of goods. This is significant for the public and private sectors to cooperate competently with each other, as well as efficiently being able to transport goods in an environmentally sustainable way. The OAS’ ‘Technical Cooperation Section,’ ?helps to match member states with problems to countries that have had similar situations and have created successful solutions. This not only fosters regional cooperation that is so vital for our economies, but it also provides tailored solutions that may not be attainable with more broad collaboration. Another important resource is (SICE), the Foreign Trade Information System, which provides access to all member states’ trade agreements and updates on trade policy within the Americas.The Delegation of Costa Rica would also like to bring attention to our own efforts towards building our economy and becoming better equipped to participate in trading on a global scale. As of about thirty years ago, Costa Rica switched our focus by adopting an export-based system, and with the diversification of our exports which in turn, opened new markets and attracted foreign investment, we have developed our economy much more quickly. For instance, between the years of 1960-2014, Costa Rica’s economy has grown at an average annual rate of 4.8%, higher than the 3.7% average growth of Latin America. While the diversification of our sectors and creating new markets was critical, so was reducing or eliminating any barriers to trade such as export fees/taxes, and establishing uniform procedures for exporting. Costa Rica also created governmental agencies to attract foreign investors, help develop sectors of business, assist businesses in exporting, and provide incentives to export. Other than the switch to this development model, bilateral free trade agreements and bilateral investment agreements are two of the crucial components that are attributed to our success. Through free trade agreements, Costa Rica has successfully entered into relations with Mexico, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Chile, the Caribbean States Community (CARICOM), the U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic (DR-CAFTA). Through Costa Rica’s 14 bilateral investment agreements, Costa Rica has truly entered the global market with agreements with the EU Member States such as; Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic. In 2011, Costa Rican export of goods reached a historic high, with an increase of 11% from 2010. However, there are still things that Costa Rica, and all other member states as well, need to improve upon in order to better participate in global value chains. Such as our transportation system, which requires better infrastructure since 97% of our exports go through ports, and road/rail, which is inefficient. As well as our domestic regulations, which need to be simplified so that more businesses are able to participate, and in an easier way. With these two things improved, MSMEs can grow, production and exportation can be made faster and cheaper, which will attract more foreign investment and overall, facilitate greater participation globally.The Delegation of Costa Rica is excited to undertake this goal of creating mechanisms that encourage free and fair trade along with the OAS and its member states. Through our own experience, we can affirm that the OAS’ statement on strengthening each states’ institutional and human capabilities to be able to effectively participate in the creation and implementation of trade agreements, and thus take part in global markets, is true. Reaching the goal of having the Americas be as involved in trade as Europe and Asia are, begins with each state’s infrastructure, regulatory policies, and exports. Which is why the Delegation of Costa would like to propose that we expand on existing OAS programs that focus on educating government officials on what the best regulatory policies are to give incentive for exports and attract foreign investment, how to diversify exports, and make the shipment of commodities most efficient, all in an environmentally sustainable way. Beginning with each of ourselves, drawing on advice from OAS faculties and member states with success in reforming their economy, is the most important step we could take to facilitate free and fair trade.C. Committee: Secretariat for Multidimensional Security (SMS)Topic A: Combating Human Trafficking in the HemisphereThe Delegation of Costa Rica would like to first thank the Organization of American States (OAS) for its continued, and rightfully so, the focus of the Secretariat for Multidimensional Security Committee toward the issue of human trafficking in the Hemispheres, as failing to act against these injustices implies our moral complicity. This issue is not unique to only a few countries but is prevalent in all countries in the OAS, as well as around the world. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that more than 20 million people are enslaved in the trafficking system worldwide, with nearly 2 million of those people trapped right here in Latin America and the Caribbean alone. The Delegation of Costa Rica would like to recognize that combating human trafficking can be quite daunting a task when considering the silent nature of these crimes coupled with the monetary motivation closely paralleling that of other underground markets, such as drug and illegal arms trafficking. However, as trustees of the security of our people, it is imperative that the OAS continues to work on solutions to protect these vulnerable people. This isn’t just a question of protection against violent crimes and disruptive economic turmoil, as with drug and arms trafficking. Divergent to these consequences, at the heart of this issue, is the question of protecting and upholding fundamental human rights in the Hemisphere. Part of the problem in previous years has been the lack of defined national laws and limited legal frameworks on the issue, as well as incongruent parameters on what the definition of human trafficking should encompass. However, since the OAS’s meeting on the subject of human trafficking in 2014, where 34 of 35 member states agreed to the Second Work Plan, this area of contention was distinguished in one of its main points, calling for the “full implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, as well as other relevant international instruments that address the trafficking of persons.” This piece of the plan unified and clarified the problem at hand, encompassing other manifestations of human trafficking than just sexual exploitation, including such acts as labor exploitation, organ extraction, domestic servitude, forced marriages, and the illegal adoption of children for exploitation. Another critical aspect of this plan was the creation of indicators that allow for measurement, which helps assess the outcomes of the plans to improve upon them later. While the Second Work Plan respects the sovereignty of each state by allowing the extent to which each member state implements the outlined actions to be at the discretion of each member state, the declaration signed by representatives of 33 Police Forces across the Western Hemisphere in 2017 to combat human trafficking, points to the high level of commitment most OAS nations feel toward this issue. ???????????In this upcoming session regarding combating human trafficking in the Hemisphere, the Delegation of Costa Rica would like to continue the current efforts of the Second Work Plan and build upon this highly thorough agreement. While many weaknesses in the plan of action have already been sealed by the Second Plan, the plight of human trafficking progresses, and so must our defense of these crimes. It is the Delegation of Costa Rica’s wish, to implement information sharing tools as a way to bolster the prevention of human trafficking in the Hemisphere. These tools will utilize an untapped and copious source of direct information, citizens themselves, protected by anonymity, to be compiled into reports posted to the OAS website. These reports may be used by other citizens and law enforcement ic B: Improvement of Food Security & Sustainable Forestry and Fisheries?The Delegation of Costa Rica acknowledges the efforts of the OAS for its past and continued support to further the agenda of sustainable practices in food security. The Republic of Costa Rica maintains a territory that is 92% ocean, and like many other OAS states, it is characterized by its abundance of water resources and the activities of its coastal communities. The delegation of Costa Rica would like to stress the function of oceans and seas as vital components of the sustainability of all ecosystems. The Costa Rican delegation would like to emphasize the following figures: more than 60 million people are employed in fisheries and aquaculture globally, fish provide approximately 3.2 billion people with nearly 20% of their average intake of animal protein. That number is higher in poor countries and concerningly, poor fisheries management wastes roughly $80 billion annually in lost economic potential. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) indicates aquaculture is the fastest growing food sector, growing globally at a rate of 7% and in Latin America and the Caribbean, nearly 20% annually. The Costa Rican delegation believes it is essential that the growth is carried out in a way that is both sustainable and socially just. Although Chile, Brazil, Ecuador, and Mexico contribute 80% of the regional aquaculture, these activities are carried out by all the states of the OAS and contribute to food security and employment. ?The Delegation of Costa Rica is alarmed by the impact of unsustainable practices, namely that 40% of oceans around the world are negatively affected by human activity, like pollution, which result in the loss of coastal habitats. (ODS) President Carlos Alvarado has commented, “Costa Rica is compelled by its ocean to act as a leader in environmental and sustainable practices.” The Delegation of Costa Rica believes sustainable water practices should take precedence above other concerns as it is a central component to life itself.The American continent geographically contains nearly half of the world’s water, and for fifty years the OAS has been an integral part of water management, offering more than 160 projects to various OAS states through the years. The General Assembly has passed resolutions in the protection of water including the 1977 Water Conference of La Plata and the 1992 Environmental and Development Conference of Rio de Janeiro. After the Declaration of Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia 1991) the OAS incorporated water resources into its framework as a specific issue. Currently, the OAS Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the 2030 Agenda and the Inter-American Program for Sustainable Development of the OAS are instrumental in the progress of the protection of good water practices. Since 1982, the UN has passed over seventy resolutions to address Oceans and the Law of the Sea, often with a focus on sustainable fishery development.The UN has declared June 6th World Ocean Day and inspired by this, the Republic of Costa Rica enacted ten steps to include oceans and seas as integral actors in the agenda for sustainable development. These steps include the creation of the Cocos Marine Conservation, the National Wetlands Policy 2017-2030 which aims to rehabilitate ecosystems, and the start of the Conservation of Mangroves and Mollusks Cooperatives of Chomes whose aim is the recuperation and conservation of the Nicoya Golf and encourage sustainable policies of mollusk harvesting. In 2016, the Republic of Costa Rica became the first country to subscribe to the National Agreement for the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN, which among the 17 goals include a particular emphasis on life below water. The UN platform on sustainable development encourages a determination to protect the earth from degradation via sustainable production and consumption of natural resources. The delegation of Costa Rica is compelled to place special attention on environmentally sustainable practices by the nature of its laws. The Republic of Costa Rica is beholden to its constitution, Article 50, “All persons have the right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment”. The Costa Rican Delegation believes the OAS is an optimal forum for the discussion of water sustainability as the oceans that surround us, connect us, and sustain us equally and each state of the OAS carries a right and responsibility of the preservation of the generous life-giving waters of the Americas.The Delegation of Costa Rica believes increased information sharing and cross-border cooperation is essential to improve the efficiency of fisheries and other oceanic activities while at the same time, bearing in mind the need for sustainable practices. The Republic of Costa Rica is home to Earth University, which has a history of leadership in environmentally sound practices and agribusiness innovation and is home to 400 students from 41 different countries, giving it a global reputation. The Delegation of Costa Rica proposes to initiate research in partnership with OAS state members in sustainable ocean and sea fishery practices with Earth University as its base. The collection of data will have a focus on increasing productivity, ensuring sustainable practices, increasing accessibility of food to needy populations, and to guaranteeing the safety of food and protection of the ecosystem. With greater information, the OAS member states will be more capable of making optimal decisions on when, where, and how to use the ocean. With the collection and sharing of big data, the countries of the OAS will better be able to navigate the ocean’s resources sustainably, thereby creating greater short and long-term economic efficiency which will lead to greater food security and oceans that will last for generations to come. ................
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