Cynthia Barzuna is Global Deputy Director of the World Resources Institute (WRI) Ocean Program and Director of the Ocean Action 2030 coalition. She provides strategic leadership across WRI’s ocean portfolio—spearheading the 100% Alliance for Sustainable Ocean Management, overseeing the ocean finance workstream, and partnering with governments to design and implement Sustainable Ocean Plans (SOPs) that link national action with high-seas governance. She represents WRI at global policy moments, including the UN Ocean Conference, Our Ocean Conference, and the climate and biodiversity COPs.
As part of the UNFCCC High-Level Champions’ Activating Group 7 (Ocean & Coastal), Cynthia supports multi-stakeholder coordination and reporting that connects commitments to implementation—spanning global ocean observations, nature-based solutions, and country pipelines for delivery, with a strong focus on Latin America and the Caribbean.
Before joining WRI, Cynthia served as Deputy Minister of Water and Ocean Affairs of Costa Rica, where she led the historic expansion of Cocos Island National Park and its marine protected area—helping the country reach 31% protection of its exclusive economic zone by 2021. She previously directed Costa Rica’s Environmental Impact Assessment Agency and led sustainable urban development programs. She holds a law degree and a master’s in International Law and Trade from Carlos III University of Madrid, plus a diploma in Globalization and Economic Liberalization.