Interview: "The world needs an injection of optimism," says UN chief candidate

Costa Rican diplomat Christiana Figueres believes that her temperament of being positive, along with her skills through more than 30 years in high-level national and international negotiations, makes her a good pick for the top job of the United Nations.

"I am chronically an optimist," said Figueres, the Costa Rican candidate to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, in a recent interview with Xinhua in Beijing.

That is exactly what the world needs -- optimism and faith in a better future yet to come -- according to Figueres, who used to served as executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Under Figueres' coordination as executive secretary, a historic Paris agreement on climate change was adopted on Dec. 12, 2015 by the 196 Parties to the UNFCCC during the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) hosted by France, which marks the first step in a joint long-term effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Figueres finished her obligations as UN climate change chief by July 6 before announcing her bid to enter the campaign to compete for the UN's top job the following day. She campaigned before the UN General Assembly Thursday to succeed UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, who will retire on Jan. 1, 2017,joining 11 other announced candidates to be interviewed by members of UN General Assembly.

IMPARTIAL YET NOT INDIFFERENT

Though she is an optimist by nature, Figueres clarifies that her positive perspective is not naivete.

"The world we live in is not ideal, and an ideal world may never happen," said the Latin American diplomat, adding that it is important to be aware of the tough challenges ahead, including poverty, terrorism, food security, the refugee crisis, regional unrest, social injustice and inequality.

These problems need to be tackled, with an impartial, fair attitude, because they won't go away with just a wave of a magic wand, nor will they disappear overnight, she said.

"I was born impatient," said the San Jose native, "and it makes me feel impatient to see that there are still injustice and suffering in this world."

But in her career as a diplomat, climate negotiator and UN official, Figueres has learned to be patient, listen and collaborate through tactful negotiation.

"The best decisions usually come from the collective wisdom, as the most adequate solutions are usually found in a well-informed, impartial team," said Figueres.

But being impartial does not imply indifference, noted Figueres. "In a voting hall where important decisions are being made, we must keep in mind that those most vulnerable groups amongst us are oftentimes absent."

"And someone must be their voice there, to defend their interests and represent their rights," the 59-year-old diplomat emphasized.

Figueres said she cares deeply for the young people, who are the world's future, and said she hopes to work to strengthen their access to better education, healthcare, livelihood and greater social participation.

"The development of our world is never static, but a process of constant changes," she said, dismissing pessimistic prophecies about the world closing doors and building barriers after the recent Brexit decision and attack in Nice, France.

"I think we should not generalize individual occurrences as a tendency in general of where the world is headed," she said.

"There are other tendencies more notably indicating that we have grown closer and more interconnected by each day, thanks to the new technologies and the efforts we have made in building bridges and paving paths among different nations, cultures and systems," said Figueres.

Figueres believes the world will become more interdependent and interconnected in the long run, but in order to get there, all the players need to be patient and take prudent actions and solid steps towards the goals ahead.

"CHINA IS A GOOD EXAMPLE"

Developing countries have had growing influence in the world economy and politics, which sends a positive message, said Figueres.

"Let's take China for instance," she said. "In the past few decades, China has lifted more than 700 million people out of poverty: It is an admirable and marvelous achievement!"

"China has set a good example for the world in reducing poverty," as well as fulfilling the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals and the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda, said Figueres, who also praised China's Belt and Road Initiative as a positive model of regional integration and said working together for common prosperity is the spirit the UN promotes. Endi