On October 2, the Inter-American Dialogue and the Women’s Foreign Policy Group hosted a private roundtable with Paula Bogantes, Costa Rica’s Minister of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Telecommunications. The discussion focused on how Costa Rica is working to ensure that its digital ecosystem is inclusive, secure, and responsive to citizens’ needs.
Minister Bogantes opened the conversation by emphasizing the need to design technology with citizens at the center—ensuring that digital innovation serves people, rather than requiring them to adapt to it. She noted that technology is often developed by a small group, raising concerns about how inclusive and diverse it can truly be. Building on this reflection, Costa Rica recognized the need to craft a national strategy that places inclusion at its core, reminding the policy community that digital innovation is not an end in itself, but a mechanism to achieve the broader development of society.
Within this framework, she cited 5G connectivity as a key example of how technology can be brought closer to citizens. Costa Rica has been investing in expanding network coverage to increase access to digital services, which fosters a more knowledgeable and empowered society through the use of digital tools.
The Minister also reflected on the fact she assumed office in the aftermath of the largest cyberattack in Costa Rica’s history, an incident that paralyzed healthcare systems, law enforcement, and other essential public services. The unprecedented crisis prompted Costa Rica to declare a national security emergency, the first ever based solely on digital threats. In response, the government adopted a stronger cybersecurity framework and deepened its international cooperation, including with the United States.
Bogantes highlighted Costa Rica’s participation in agreements such as the Budapest Convention, which has granted the country access to a network of partners ready to assist member states under cyberattack. The experience, she noted, sparked crucial national conversations around digital sovereignty and the prevention of future attacks. As part of these efforts, the government has limited public bids to countries that are parties to the convention, an approach that underscores the importance of working with trusted partners and safeguarding citizens’ information.
During the Q&A session, moderated by Kellie Meiman Hock, Minister Bogantes emphasized that “the digital world has no borders,” underscoring the need to strengthen regional cooperation to address shared vulnerabilities. She highlighted the Organization of American States and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as key platforms not only for dialogue but also for advancing practical, collective solutions. When asked about artificial intelligence (AI) and the challenges of the digital transformation, the Minister stressed that there is no “one-size-fits-all” model, noting that each country must design an AI strategy tailored to its own realities and capacities, ensuring that digital progress remains inclusive, adaptable, and responsive to public’s needs.
This event was by invitation only.
