Cynthia BARZUNA

Cynthia Barzuna Gutiérrez is the Global Deputy Director of the Ocean Program at the World Resources Institute (WRI), where she provides strategic leadership across a global portfolio that connects ocean, climate, and biodiversity agendas. She also serves as Director of the Ocean Action 2030 Coalition, a voluntary coalition of UN agencies, MDBs and NGOs supporting countries to design and implement Sustainable Ocean Plans (SOPs), and as Lead of the Our Ocean Conference Secretariat, coordinating commitments and ministerial engagement for one of the most influential global platforms on ocean action. In addition, she is the  lead for the 100% Alliance, co-chaired by Australia and Chile and championed by the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy.

Previously, Cynthia was Vice Minister of Water and Ocean Affairs of Costa Rica, where she oversaw the expansion of marine protected areas from 2.7% to 31% of national waters, meeting and surpassing the 30x30 target. She co-led the Glasgow Declaration to advance the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR) and promoted national reforms on marine spatial planning, mangrove protection, whale-watching, and marine solid waste management. She represented Costa Rica in major international fora, including COP26, the One Ocean Summit, and the Our Ocean Conference.

Cynthia’s earlier career includes leading the modernization of Costa Rica’s National Environmental Impact Assessment Secretariat (SETENA), digitalizing workflows, strengthening safeguards, and increasing transparency; and nearly two decades in environmental law and policy, advising governments, private sector, and international organizations on sustainable cities, forestry, and water management.

She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Guanacaste Dry Forest Conservation Fund (GDFCF) and Osa Conservation, two leading Costa Rican conservation organizations. Cynthia holds a Master’s in Foreign Trade from the University Carlos III of Madrid and a Law degree from the Autonomous University of Central America (UACA).