Anabel González

Anabel González, a dual citizen of Costa Rica and USA, was appointed Vice President for Countries starting September 1, 2023. Ms. González has worked in the field of economic development for over 30 years, focusing on trade, investment, competitiveness, and the role of the private sector. Her experience spans international organizations, the public sector, consulting, and research.

Prior to joining the IDB, she served as Deputy Director-General at the World Trade Organization (WTO) from June 2021 until August 2023. During this time, she facilitated trade negotiations among WTO members, including on trade-related aspects of the pandemic. She also oversaw the divisions of economic research, market access, services trade and investment, and intellectual property. Ms. González fostered an expanded knowledge agenda in collaboration with other international organizations, managed the relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean, and supported the strategic positioning of the WTO including through her blog “Trade Thoughts”.  Earlier in her career, she worked as Director of the Agricultural Division at the WTO (2006-2009).

Previously, she was Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington DC (2018-2021), where she conducted research and published on trade policy and economic integration and launched the “Trade Winds” virtual series. Simultaneously, she served as Senior Advisor to the Global Advantage and Social Impact practices at the Boston Consulting Group, assisting clients across the public and private sector.

Ms. González’s professional trajectory includes serving as Senior Director of the World Bank’s Global Practice on Trade & Competitiveness (2014-2017). In this role, she led a large team to provide global thought leadership and comprehensive solutions to governments worldwide to expand market opportunities, boost private initiative and foster dynamic economies. She also served as Senior Consultant on Trade and Investment at the IDB between 2009-2010.

Ms. González has extensive public sector experience in the government of Costa Rica. As Minister of Trade in 2010-2014, she played a key role in the country´s pursuit to join the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), negotiated major free trade agreements and contributed to attracting numerous investment projects. She also served as president of PROCOMER (export promotion board). Previously, Ms. González served as Special Ambassador and Chief Negotiator (2002-2004), Vice-Minister (1998-2001), and Director General for Trade Negotiations (1991-1997). Additionally, she worked as Director-General of CINDE, a non-profit investment promotion agency, between (2001-2002).

Ms. González has written extensively on trade, investment and economic development, and has presented in over 70 countries across the world. She has also been associated with the World Economic Forum, the T20 Trade, Investment and Growth Task Force, and the Friends of the Multilateralism Group, among others. She holds a Master’s degree in Law from Georgetown University, and a Law degree from the University of Costa Rica.