Ecuador marks 200 Years of Independence

Minister Blade Nzimande and Ambassador Juan Larrea raising a toast at the celebration

17 August 2022

On August 10th 1809 a rebellion against Spanish rule began in Quito, Ecuador and was the first step towards independence, which only occurred after the Battle of Pichincha on 24 May 1822. Education is one of the key priorities of the government of President Guillermo Lasso of the Republic of Ecuador, and to which he has dedicated great effort since the beginning of his administration in May 2021 when he was elected, said Ambassador Juan Larrea of the Republic of Ecuador to South Africa. He was speaking at the celebration of Ecuador’s Independence in Pretoria on 10 August 2022.

South Africa and Ecuador enjoy longstanding friendly diplomatic relations that date back 28 years ago when the two nations established their diplomatic relations on 22 September 1994, said Dr Blade Nzimande, South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation who was Chief Guest at the event. “However, bilateral engagement between our two countries started in the 19th century as witnessed by the conclusion of several legal instruments on bilateral cooperation,” he added. Ecuador opened its embassy in Pretoria in February 2009.

Ecuador-South Africa Political Consultations were held on 19 May 2022 and were co-chaired by senior officials of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries. The broad agenda included topics related to foreign policy and the national priorities of the two countries. Regarding the bilateral relationship, cooperation in defence, the environment, forestry and fishing, health, education, mineral resources and energy, and social affairs: including issues related to women were discussed. Also included on the agenda were bilateral trade and economic relations, access to markets, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and investment opportunities in Ecuador. On the global and multilateral front, cooperation in multilateral forums and candidacies were discussed and regionally political and economic developments in the Latin American and Caribbean region, Andean community and main political events in Southern Africa were shared.

In his remarks Nzimande said that the bilateral cooperation between South Africa and Ecuador has been strengthened through the conclusion of more legal instruments between the two governments and other state institutions, such as the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation in the Field of Environment signed in December 2019; the MOU on Cooperation between the Human Rights Commission and the National Council for Equalisation of Disabilities of Ecuador. The University of Pretoria also concluded an MOU with Universidad Regional Amazonica-IKIAM in August 2020. MOU's were also signed between Chambers of Commerce of the two countries.

Outlining Ecuador’s foreign policy Larrea said, “Humanity today is certain that global problems require global actions. Ecuador's Foreign Policy Plan for the period 2021-2025 includes objectives and policies that will guide Ecuadorian diplomacy towards goals such as strengthening trade relations, attracting investment, and promoting tourism and Ecuadorian culture in the world. At the same time, the Government must contribute to the national crusade to fight corruption and international organized crime, while ensuring world security and peace, the defence of the environment, human rights, the eradication of poverty, the search for sustainable development and, in general, the fulfilment of the obligations, objectives, goals and commitments assumed at the international level, including the others mentioned in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

Nzimande congratulated Ecuador on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the years 2023/2024. “Ecuador’s focus on upholding commitments to multilateralism and the principle of the United Nations Charter aligns closely with South Africa’s commitments on multilateralism. Your country’s consistency in supporting themes of protection of civilians; children and armed conflict; women, peace and security; as well as peacebuilding and sustaining peace and security, similarly resonate with South Africa’s priorities. In the current global context, where multilateralism remains under threat, it remains vital for countries like ours to strengthen multilateral organisations through our active participation,” said Nzimande

The Governments of South Africa and Ecuador are committed to continue strengthening relations.

TDS