On 19 September 2017, in the framework of the general debate of the 72nd General Assembly of the United Nations, the President of Costa Rica, Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera, informed the plenary of the progress made in the negotiation of the regional agreement on access to information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters in Latin America and the Caribbean. In his intervention to the General Assembly, the President mentioned Chile's and Costa Rica's leadership as co-chairs of the process and stressed the joint aim of negotiating an effective agreement that contributes to strengthen environmental governance, furthers public participation of affected and interested persons and reduces socio-environmental conflicts.
Costa Rica's commitment with the regional process was later reaffirmed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica, Manuel González, during his participation in the Summit on a Global Pact for the Environment held in the margins of the General Assembly in New York. The Minister stated that the future regional agreement complemented international efforts such as the Global Pact for the Environment, the Paris Agreement and Human Rights Council resolutions. Furthermore, he added that "the access rights enshrined in the Declaration on Principle 10 are essential to strengthen democracy, good governance, the Rule of Law and human rights. Public participation in environmental matters offers opportunities for peace and conflict prevention through cooperation and strategic synergies at local, national, regional and global levels."
