SEATTLE, WA, May 13, 2004 -- José María Figueres, chief executive officer of the World Economic Forum and former president of Costa Rica, will address a gathering of business and civic leaders on the issue of environment, trade and development.

The invitation-only event, billed as "A Conversation with Jose Maria Figueres," will be held at noon on Tuesday, June 1 at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle.  It is hosted by the World Resources Institute (WRI), in cooperation with the Seattle Initiative for Global Development, the Washington Council on International Trade, the World Affairs Council, and the World Trade Center.

"There is no more important issue facing the developed world today than how to accommodate the legitimate economic and social desires of the more than half of the world’s population who live on less than $2 a day," said William D. Ruckelshaus, WRI chairman. "How we do this in a way that sustains the world’s natural resource base for future generations is a formidable and crucial challenge."

Studies by WRI indicate that poverty is at the root of major challenges facing the environment, from global warming to the accelerating loss of biodiversity. It estimates that 4 billion of the world’s 6 billion people earn less than less than $1,500 per year.

"Most Americans believe that it is through free market mechanisms that we are best able to enhance human wealth and well being.  But in the desperately poor parts of the globe, these mechanisms are not protecting the environment nor improving the lives of the very poor on the scale that is demanded.  We must change that," said Ruckelshaus.

Figueres, a WRI board member, was asked to deliver his address in Seattle because of the region’s deep understanding of the value of international trade and its commitment to environmental protection.  No American city or state gets more of its income from international trade than Seattle and Washington.

As president of Costa Rica, Figueres made information technology an integral part of the country’s economic development strategy, successfully attracting high-tech companies and manufacturing, while also bringing village computers and smart cards to rural areas.  Under his leadership, Costa Rica did the first complete audit of biodiversity of any country, resulting in a model contract for bio-prospecting, one that is non-exploitive and brings real economic benefits to the host nation. 

"During his years as president of Costa Rica, Figueres was a visionary leader who created innovative strategies to promote economic development and protect the environment.  He was one of those rare leaders willing to expend his political capital in order to bring about real progress," said Jonathan Lash, president of WRI. "We are gratified that someone of his vision and passionate commitment is CEO of the World Economic Forum, and we are delighted that he serves on the WRI board."

"A Conversation with José María Figueres" is being supported by The Boeing Company, Madrona Venture Group, Microsoft Corporation, Puget Sound Energy, Russell Investment Group, Starbucks, and Weyerhaeuser Company.

Seats for the media are limited so pre-registration is required.

For more information, contact:

World Resources Institute
Paul Mackie, senior media officer, +1(202)729-7684, pmackie@wri.org

In Seattle contact: Diane L. Hodgson, 206-674-3009, diane@madrona.com