translated from Spanish: Claudia Dobles, the first lady of Costa Rica and the only Latina on the list of “Fortune” of the 50 most important leaders in the world

The first lady of a Central American country with five million inhabitants is considered more influential than the PRI MER Minister of Ireland, Leo Varadkar; Or that the couple formed by Prince Harry and Meghan Marke.
The recognition is for Claudia Dobles, wife of the president of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado.
In May, Fortune magazine ranked number 15 on its list of the 50 most important leaders on the planet.
The publication highlights its ambitious plan “Descarbonizar” Costa Rica before 2050 and revolutionize its transport betting on a carbon-free electric model.
All this, in a country that is already considered a world benchmark for many of its environmental policies and milestones.
Architect and Urbanist of 38 years, doubles came stomping since her husband won the election just over a year ago and proved not to have the slightest intention of emulating the symbolic role that characterizes many first ladies of the region.
This earned him not a few criticisms and even the suspicion of those who believe that, after his leadership at the forefront of such large projects, the idea of succeeding her husband in the presidency is actually hidden when his mandate ends in 2022.
But what does the first lady of Costa Rica do in her day? Doubles told the BBC world.
Dobles and her husband, Carlos Alvarado Quesada, when he became president of Costa Rica.
Were you surprised to appear on the Fortune list?
We found out when the publication appeared, we didn’t know anything before. It was a pleasure, a surprise that we took with a lot of responsibility.
I also take it as a recognition of the country, an effort to make transformations that Costa Rica must face in the face of the fourth Industrial Revolution. This is very much in the hands of decarbonization, climate change issues.
In fact, that decarbonization project for the year 2050 is the main reason that Fortune included it on its list. What is it?
The national decarbonization Plan launched in February is a comprehensive action plan that understands that decarbonization is linked to the economy and that it is a complex process.
It focuses on two large areas. The first is the whole transport issue, where the first lady’s office is collaborating more actively. And the other is the agri-food sector, in the sense of how to provide financing to generate technology that can lower the carbon emissions of that sector.
How are they working to improve the transportation system?
We currently have “red note” for our carbon footprint, but in a very favorable context for a positive transformation. Our electric matrix is almost 100% clean, so we have an advantage that many other countries do not have. One can make a whole shift from the vehicle fleet of fossil fuels to electric power, but if the matrix is not clean, we don’t really end up closing the circle.
We are focusing on improving the public transportation system, independent of moving by fossil fuels or electricity. If we had an integrated public transport system, it would lower our carbon footprint.
Claudia Dobles is leading the process of decarbonization in the country.
In the short term, the objectives are the award of an electric train system in the metropolitan area that would unite four of the seven provinces. It is an opportunity to generate a kind of backbone for a new system, with a modernization of the entire bus system that is integrated into this electric train. We want to add a network of bike paths that can be connected to train stations, the bus system and the pedestrian networks.
And how are they driving that change of vehicles into the use of clean energy?
We have an incentive law for electric vehicles that exempts you from paying some taxes. In the private sector we are doing it through incentives.
As for public transport, in Costa Rica it is given by concession and has no subsidy. Then we have to accompany the private sector so that it can make the change of vehicle fleet. If we do not incorporate financial tools that allow them to make the transition, that cost can be terminated by transferring to the rate that people pay and we end up in a vicious circle. With them we are looking for soft credit, green credits, which have much more favorable conditions, with longer periods, so that no impact on the rate is provoked.
All this goes into that brand of “Costa Rica Verde” that the country has. It always draws attention that a territorially small country appears in the first places of environmental rankings. What does this consolidated image entail for Costa Rica?
It is a pride and also a responsibility. If Costa Rica, which is a country with major challenges in its economy, can generate a clear action route, how will other countries not be able to do so? This is a call for other countries to unite. Costa Rica is not going to take the task alone.
You are not being seen as many other first ladies who have a more symbolic role, but are at the forefront of big projects. Where is your responsibility defined?
I think that in general terms, the first Ladies ‘ offices do not have a legal framework to regulate what their functions are.
I see it as a great advantage. There is no obligation to assume certain tasks and therefore each first lady can shape her function according to her abilities and interests. I am an architect, in my life I worked in urban planning projects, where always the issue of public transport is one of the main components if you want to do more appropriate planning and give people answers.
I have always had that vein and the president has allowed me to collaborate with his team on these issues.
So you will have to be accountable for these projects at the end of the legislature?
Accountability has two components. One that’s legal, where the first lady’s office doesn’t have a responsibility. What we do is work with the rectors to coordinate the projects in a faster way.

Claudia Dobles was chosen as one of the 50 most important leaders in the world.
But there is accountability at the political level. We feel responsible for these projects to come out. In the case of the first lady is not a legal commitment, but it is a moral commitment. And that weighs the same, or more.
What does it say to those who say they voted for president Alvarado and not for you to get ahead of key projects for the country?
I’d say that’s very clear to me. What I try to do is put myself in the service of the President and the citizens, in what I can collaborate and help.
Indeed, I was not elected through a popular election, but I am in a privileged position where we have an important platform that can move and streamline projects, which can improve them. The office of the first ladies has an important convening capacity and that could be a space for coordination of a lot of potential. That’s what we’re trying to do.
In terms of transport, in what other country in the region do you think things have been done well?
Public transport will always generate challenges, because it is always evolving, we are never going to reach the goal.
But I think that many countries in Latin America are making important progress in improving the public transport system, others in exchange for vehicular fleet to clean energies as is the case of Chile, which must be applauded.
In the region there is an understanding that if we want our cities to be competitive, effective in development and generate opportunities for the population, we need to improve our public transport systems. And I think it’s being done.
Electric cars are one of the bets of the government of Costa Rica to Descarbonizar the country.
Money is needed to improve infrastructure and urban mobility. But that is precisely one of Costa Rica’s main problems: a large fiscal deficit. How will the works be financed if the Government has to cut costs?
Our bet is public-private partnerships, where for very large projects or megaprojects, the state contributes a smaller percentage and the private sector a greater percentage of the total investment.
In the context we have, we think that is the model that is best for us because we have a liquidity problem and that solves us. And to be attractive to that private investment, we are generating robust and solid feasibility studies.
How does the Government incorporate to its policies the thousands of Nicaraguan people who came to Costa Rica fleeing the socio-political crisis that is living in their country? What reception do you think the Ticos are giving you?
Costa Rica is a country respectful of peace and human rights, it is in our history and our DNA. Costa Rica advocates conflict resolution in a peaceful manner: for Nicaragua or any other country that is experiencing a social crisis.
In the case of Nicaragua, what happens to him has a direct impact on Costa Rica. That is undeniable, we are neighbors, we are societies that have ties to blood. We are two countries closely linked in the social and economic.
We are trying to get to where the country can to people who are looking for shelter. Of course there comes a point where institutionality and our same legality do not allow us to give all the answers to that population, so we hope that it will resolve its situation in a peaceful way and hopefully as soon as possible, especially by people, not only The one that is coming to Costa Rica but also the one in Nicaragua.
Finally, have you no intention of presenting as a candidate for the Pres-Dencia of Costa Rica in 2022, as many assure?
Lol I firmly believe that one can make the change from where it is. The things we are working on are going to transcend this government, because they are long-term processes, transformations that do not belong to an administration, neither to two nor to three.
We will continue to participate-both Carlos and I-and contributing from wherever we are going to be. But no, I’m not going to aspire to the presidency.

Original source in Spanish

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