Ambassador Rafael Ortiz Fábrega took up his duties as Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the OECD on 14 September 2026.
Mr Ortiz Fábrega is a diplomat, lawyer and former legislator with more than 40 years of service in public administration, international relations and legal advisory roles. Throughout his career, he has held senior positions in government, diplomacy and the private sector, with expertise in international corporate law, foreign investment, antitrust, trademark and industrial property, corporate legal strategy, and institutional governance.
Mr Ortiz Fábrega began his professional career as an Associate Attorney at Pacheco Coto Law Firm in Costa Rica from 1980 to 1984, gaining experience in legal practice and corporate matters. He subsequently joined Coca-Cola Latin America, where he served as General Counsel for the Central America and Caribbean Division from 1984 to 2004, advising on legal, commercial and regulatory matters across multiple jurisdictions. He later worked as Of Counsel and Senior Legal Advisor at REB Abogados in Costa Rica from 2004 to 2013, further strengthening his expertise in corporate and legal affairs.
In parallel with his professional activities, he held several leadership positions in civil society and sports administration. He served as President and Vice President of Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, one of Costa Rica’s leading football clubs, and sat on the boards of a number of organisations, including the Costa Rica Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (PROCOMER) and the Costa Rica Country Club.
From 2014 to 2018, Mr Ortiz Fábrega served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica. During his tenure, he became Parliamentary Leader of the Partido Unidad Socialcristiana and served as President of the Legislative Assembly from 2015 to 2016. In these capacities, he played an active role in legislative processes and institutional governance, contributing to the development of public policy and national decision-making.
From 2018 to 2026, he served as Ambassador of Costa Rica to the United Kingdom, representing Costa Rica’s interests and promoting bilateral co-operation in areas including trade, investment, sustainable development and international affairs.
Mr Ortiz Fábrega holds a Licentiate in Law from the University of Costa Rica and completed studies in International Business Law through a joint programme of INCAE Business School and Georgetown University Law Center. He has also pursued executive education in international relations, geopolitics, climate governance and negotiation at institutions including The Economist Executive Education, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and Harvard University.