These are some of the comments made earlier today by our President while in New York. Prior to her arrival to the United Nations General Assembly, it was widely speculated that President Laura Chinchilla would focus on issues related to drug trafficking, but in her interview with Spanish news agency EFE, she talked about happiness:

“We think that adding other factors such as welfare, quality of life and happiness is very important because development is a lot more integral than just economic growth.”

“Fifty years ago Costa Rica decided to protect 30 percent of her territory as national parks, and since that moment we went from being a nation with high rates of deforestation to one of the greenest on Earth”, added our President, who cited that fact as an example that “yes, we can reverse the negative effects of climate change.”

In July of last year, the United Nations approved a resolution that recognizes the pursuit of nation’s happiness as a fundamental human objective. This initiative was suggested by the Kingdom of Bhutan. Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley was in attendance at the General Assembly and was lauded by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who reminded attendants that “material prosperity is important, but it’s far from being the sole determining factor of well-being.”

During the proceedings, Ban Ki-moon stated his feelings of Costa Rica being the “greenest country in the world, an example of holistic and responsible development that is friendly to the environment, and a haven of peace and democracy.”

After a meeting entitled “Happiness and well-being: Defining a New Economic Paradigm”, our President had a working lunch with the Prime Minister of Bhutan, considering the initiatives being proposed by the Kingdom.

Our President will meet with the Secretary General tomorrow to discuss matters pertaining to drug trafficking in the region, and to look for ways to tackle the problem without violence or military intervention. Before her return to Costa Rica, she will meet with the Executive Director of Women’s Affairs before the UN, Michelle Bachelet.

Source: CM& (Colombia)