A ROYAL VISIT TO BOTANIKA – pictured UAE Ambassador Rawdha Mohamed Jumma Mohamed Alotaiba visited Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula and stayed at Botánika Osa Peninsula, Curio Collection by Hilton™

Exciting things are happening in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula! A recent visit by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) brought with it a wave of opportunities for students, educators, conservationists, and communities in the region. Through a series of presentations and workshops, the UAE shared its commitment to environmental innovation, education, and community health—all aligned with the Osa Peninsula’s deep-rooted values of sustainability and conservation.

Empowering Local Students with Global Scholarships

One of the most inspiring sessions took place at the local Technical Professional High School, where students and faculty learned how to apply for prestigious UAE-sponsored scholarships. Among these was the Zayed Sustainability Prize, an incredible opportunity designed specifically for high schools looking to make a difference through sustainability projects.

This is a chance for Osa Peninsula students to dream big, take their ideas global, and become leaders in innovation and environmental stewardship.

Supporting Conservation Champions in the Osa

In the afternoon, the UAE Embassy hosted a special session for local conservation-focused NGOs, highlighting several international grants that are tailor-made for projects like those already taking root in the Osa. These included:

• *The Zayed Sustainability Prize – A global initiative helping bring life-saving sustainable solutions to underserved communities.
• *The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund – Offering up to $25,000 in small grants to help protect lesser-known endangered species.
• *The Clean Rivers Initiative – Supporting Costa Rica’s national effort to restore urban rivers through community involvement and environmental infrastructure.
• *The XPRIZE for Environmental Innovation – Backing breakthrough technologies in clean water access.

Each of these programs aligns beautifully with the values and ongoing work in the Osa—where protecting biodiversity, educating youth, and building sustainable communities is part of everyday life.

 Big Wins for Marine Life and Health

Did you know the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund helped support the creation of the Golfo Dulce Hammerhead Shark Sanctuary through work with Misión Tiburón. This is a huge win for Costa Rica’s marine biodiversity—and it happened right here in our backyard.

And it’s not just about animals. The UAE also introduced mobile mammogram units to rural Costa Rican communities, offering around 8,000 breast cancer screenings a year. These efforts are improving early detection and saving lives—especially for women in remote regions like ours.

Clean Rivers & Future Water Security

Costa Rica’s Clean Rivers Initiative, which aims to restore polluted rivers like those in San José, is now supported by the UAE. And looking even further ahead, the XPRIZE Water Scarcity competition (backed by $119 million from the UAE) is funding breakthrough technology for affordable seawater desalination.

If successful, it could provide game-changing water solutions for regions like the Osa Peninsula, which face increasing water stress during the dry season.

A Global Partnership Rooted in Local Impact

This collaboration between Costa Rica and the UAE is more than just an international gesture—it’s a real, tangible investment in the people, environment, and future of the Osa Peninsula. Whether it’s scholarships for youth, funding for species protection, or clean water initiatives, these programs empower our communities to grow, thrive, and lead in sustainability.

The Osa Peninsula is already a model for conservation—now, with global partners like the UAE, we’re raising the bar even higher.

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