I am very pleased to welcome Costa Rica as the 38th member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The OECD is a unique forum of like-minded democracies dedicated to promoting our shared values and addressing our shared challenges.
Costa Rica's membership follows an extensive multiyear effort to align its economic policies with OECD recommendations and is a strong signal of confidence in the Costa Rican economy. I commend Costa Rica for the rigor in tackling the various requirements for accession. Costa Rica has made great strides in curbing its fiscal deficit in this challenging COVID-19 context. I applaud its agreement with the International Monetary Fund and hope to see a national consensus to make the necessary reforms to fully implement the accord. I want to recognize Manuel Tovar, Costa Rica's Permanent Representative to the OECD, for his dedication and commitment as Costa Rica completed its accession process.
Costa Rica's accession comes at a timely moment in OECD history, as the organization celebrates its 60th anniversary and transitions to leadership under a new Secretary General. As Chair of this year's 60th anniversary Ministerial Council Meeting, I look forward to our increased partnership as OECD members focus on supporting a global economic recovery that builds back better and champions our shared values.
