After a successful career in business, José María Figueres entered public service in 1987, appointed as President of Costa Rica’s National Railroad System. He later served as Minister of Foreign Trade and then as Minister of Agriculture. In 1994, at age 39, José María was elected President of Costa Rica,... Read more
José María Figueres Olsen – The importance of innovators and “out-of-the-box” solutions
Putting Costa Rica on a Sustainable Path | José María Figueres
Crecimiento Económico
After a successful career in business, José María Figueres entered public service in 1987, appointed as President of Costa Rica’s National Railroad System. He later served as Minister of Foreign Trade and then as Minister of Agriculture. In 1994, at age 39, José María was elected President of Costa Rica, leading a comprehensive national development strategy that integrated environmental, social, and economic policies. For his work, he received several international environmental awards, including the inaugural Leadership Prize from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Following twelve years in public service, José María expanded his work internationally. In 1999, Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed him to lead the United Nations ICT Task Force, the first of its kind. In 2000, he joined the Management Board of the World Economic Forum, collaborating with founder Klaus Schwab and later becoming the Forum’s first CEO. In 2005, with Diego Hidalgo, founder of FRIDE and the Club of Madrid, he organized the Conference on Democratic Transition and Consolidation, bringing together 22 heads of state to counter the growing threat of global terrorism. In 2009, alongside Sir Richard Branson, he co-founded The Carbon War Room, where he served as chairperson and CEO, leading efforts to identify profitable, gigaton-scale reductions in carbon emissions across key sectors, including global shipping.
In 2013, José María co-founded the Global Ocean Commission with David Miliband and Trevor Manuel. In 2014, the Commission issued its report, “From Decline to Recovery: A Rescue Package for the Global Ocean,” presenting eight actionable recommendations to restore ocean health. José María also serves on the boards of ‘Pristine Seas’ and the ‘Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance’ (ORRAA) and is a founding member of ‘Antarctica 2020.’ In 2024, he joined the UNESCO Advisory Board for the Ocean Decade and participates in the ‘Friends of Ocean Action’ at the World Economic Forum. In international business, he is Chairperson of SICPA Latin America and Co-Chairperson of the Board of Tojoy Shared Holding Group in China.
José María lectures widely on the importance of the Ocean, Antarctica, the clean energy transition, sustainable development, and environmental technology. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and holds an MPA from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
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You can book Jose Maria Figueres Olsen through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Jose Maria's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Jose Maria Figueres Olsen's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Jose Maria tailored to your event.
Jose Maria Figueres Olsen speaks on Cities & Environment, Climate, Economics, Economics & Finance, Government & Politics. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Jose Maria to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Jose Maria Figueres Olsen for events worldwide, subject to Jose Maria's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Jose Maria Figueres Olsen is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Jose Maria can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Jose Maria Figueres Olsen on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Jose Maria can offer.
Jose Maria Figueres Olsen delivers keynotes in English, Spanish. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Jose Maria Figueres Olsen's areas of expertise include Cities & Environment, Climate, Economics, Economics & Finance, Government & Politics. To get a clear sense of Jose Maria's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Jose Maria Figueres Olsen can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Cities & Environment, Climate, Economics, Economics & Finance, Government & Politics is relevant. Details of Jose Maria's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Jose Maria Figueres Olsen is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Jose Maria Figueres Olsen, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Jose Maria's current availability for your dates.