With a career that bridges the realms of high-level government policy and the enriching power of the arts, Jorge Rodríguez Vives brings a uniquely holistic vision to his role as Minister of Culture and Youth of Costa Rica. His professional trajectory spans over 13 years across pivotal positions in the Government of Costa Rica and renowned international organizations. From serving as Minister of Communication, Vice Minister of Finance, and Chief of Staff to President Rodrigo Chaves Robles, to advising institutions like the OAS, IDB, and CRP-MIPYME, Rodríguez Vives has built a reputation as a strategic thinker and skilled negotiator.
Beyond public service, he is also a passionate violinist, former member of the Youth Symphony Orchestra, and a proud alumnus of Costa Rica’s National Center of Music. This rare blend of administrative experience and artistic dedication gives him a singular voice in leading the nation’s cultural and youth agenda.
In this exclusive conversation, Minister Rodríguez Vives reflects on the transformative role of culture in society, the government’s commitment to empowering youth, and how his dual identity as a policymaker and artist continues to shape his vision for a more connected and inspired Costa Rica.
What were the main objectives of your recent visit to the United Arab Emirates, and how do they align with Costa Rica’s cultural agenda?
The main objective of participating in this mission to the United Arab Emirates aligns with the desire to celebrate, from the perspective of youth culture, a shared agenda that has been strengthened over 15 years of healthy diplomatic relations.
This visit represents an opportunity to further connect our people and begin developing concrete cultural cooperation activities.
One example of this deepening relationship is the upcoming visit of the Emirati Minister of Culture and members of the royal family as part of the project to establish the National Symphony Orchestra of the UAE, where Costa Rica’s 85-year experience with its own symphony can contribute meaningfully to this initiative. Additionally, participation in the ministerial meeting of the Culture Summit in Abu Dhabi was key to discussing cutting-edge topics on the international cultural agenda, such as the impact of artificial intelligence on cultural services.
All of this has been made possible thanks to the commitment of Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Public Diplomacy) and member of the federal cabinet, whose leadership has been essential in promoting these spaces for dialogue and exchange.
During your stay, what cultural and youth collaboration opportunities did you identify between Costa Rica and the United Arab Emirates?
We identified a broad spectrum of collaboration between the UAE and Costa Rica, particularly in the exchange of experiences in the musical field, thanks to the legacy of Costa Rica’s National Symphony Orchestra and the National Music Education System, whose expertise we are ready to share with the Emirati government. We also found meaningful opportunities to foster exchange in the field of design, and we reached an agreement around one of the most important cultural pillars of President Chávez Robles’ administration: the 2026 International Festival of the Arts. In this major event—Central America’s most important festival and one of the longest-standing in Latin America—we hope to welcome Emirati artists for the first time, marking a milestone in the strengthening of our bilateral cultural ties.
This process has been supported by the interest and endorsement of His Highness Sheikh Majid Al Mua’lla, a member of the royal family of Umm Al Quwain and Vice President of International Affairs at Emirates Airlines Group.
What were the key topics discussed during your meetings with UAE government officials, and what agreements or commitments were established?
We are moving forward with a series of Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs), particularly with the UAE’s Ministry of Culture, aimed at promoting the exchange of best practices in music, dance, and theater. Additionally, we reached an agreement with Emirates Airlines Group to feature Costa Rican audiovisual and digital talent—including films and animated series—through their in-flight entertainment systems, a significant step forward in the collaboration that began with Emirates Holidays.
This initiative further strengthens mutual understanding and cultural exchange between our countries. We also reaffirmed our commitment to supporting the creation of the Emirati National Orchestra, with plans for an official visit before the end of 2025 to share Costa Rica’s expertise in music education and explore potential artistic exchange projects.
In the field of design, an agreement was reached with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, founding president of Emirates Airlines Group and member of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai, to promote the exchange of Emirati and Costa Rican artists and designers through participation in various exhibition spaces in both nations.
What upcoming steps or initiatives do you plan to implement following this visit to strengthen cultural ties between Costa Rica and the UAE?
The next steps and initiatives we are pursuing aim to further consolidate cultural exchange between Costa Rica and the United Arab Emirates. We plan to bring Costa Rica’s National Symphony Orchestra to the UAE next year, marking its first tour in the East and specifically in the Arab world, including Saudi Arabia—an effort that will significantly strengthen our cultural ties. We are also eagerly anticipating the visit of UAE’s Minister of Culture, His Highness Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, in December to join us in celebrating the 180th anniversary of the founding of Costa Rica’s Concert Bands.
This event will also feature a crafts fair that will include Emirati artists. This moment reflects a high point in our diplomatic relations, underscoring the commitment of both governments to advancing mutual understanding through culture. We have also deepened our collaboration with the President of the General Cultural Authority of the Emirate of Dubai and member of its Executive Council, Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, with whom we continue working to expand spaces for cultural cooperation—building on the natural affinity between Latin American and Arab people.
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