Congratulations to Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado Quesada for his recent nomination to TIME Magazine’s 100 NEXT for his “great ambition in tackling climate change.” This honor comes on the heels of the United Nations recognizing Costa Rica this year as a “United Nations Champion of the Earth”, for its trailblazing approach and ambitious climate policies.

Alvarado became president in 2018. Since then he has endeavored to forge a path for Costa Rica as a leader in transportation, energy, waste and land use, thereby placing Costa Rica in a leadership position for sustainable development and environmentally responsible growth.

He was named to the 100 NEXT by former United Nations Secretary Ban Ki-moon, who commented about Alvarado, “In an age of populism, isolationism and polarized politics, President Alvarado’s defense of the multilateral system and his commitment to finding global solutions to global challenges are highly commendable. His actions serve to remind the world that even small nations can take the lead.”

TIME’s 100 Most Influential People (TIME 100 for short), is an annual list of the world’s most influential people. Appearing on the list is seen as a great honor, as nominees are recognized for changing the world, regardless of the consequences of their actions. The list is chosen by TIME editors and international writing staff, with input by former TIME 100 winners.

Carlos Alvarado is a Costa Rica politician, writer, journalist and political scientist, and now the 48th President of this tiny country. He is renowned for having supported same-sex marriage in his recent election, as well as his efforts to make Costa Rica a zero net emissions country by the year 2050. He has been quoted as calling the decarbonization of Costa Rica, “the great challenge of our generation. Costa Rica must be among the first countries to achieve it, if not the first.

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