SAN JOSE, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Tuesday publicly celebrated the country being elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
"Little Costa Rica continues harvesting triumphs at international level and this should fill us with joy," Arias said.
He described the designation as a recognition of many generations of Costa Ricans who had left their mark in the building of the nation.
Costa Rica is pushing measures that would limit the acquisition of arms, said Arias, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987.
It is also promoting the At Peace With Nature initiative, which aims to make the country carbon neutral.
Costa Rica gained the seat as the Dominican Republic withdrew its candidacy after two rounds of voting, and will serve on the council from 2008 to 2009.
