Administrator Samantha Power arrived in Ecuador today where she reaffirmed the U.S.-Ecuador partnership and commitment to building on our countries’ work together to make lasting progress on shared development goals, including increasing inclusive economic opportunity and promoting citizen security.
The Administrator began the day with a visit to a traditional small-scale green bean farm in Tababela where she launched a new USAID EDGE-funded partnership with Corporación Favorita, the largest supermarket chain in the country. The partnership will expand their direct sourcing model to the Amazon and coastal regions with local and Indigenous communities so that small scale farmers can sell their goods directly to the grocery store chain. USAID’s support to expand this direct, sustainable food production model will improve the productivity and incomes of small holder farmers, particularly women.
The Administrator then sat down for a conversation with Indigenous leaders. They spoke about the essential role of their communities in the fabric of Ecuador’s democracy and society as well as the key challenges they face to meaningful political and economic inclusion. Administrator Power thanked them for the vital role they play in providing voice to their communities and advocating solutions to the economic, political, social, and environmental challenges facing their communities and the country at large.
Next, Administrator Power met with Quito municipal government officials, including Mayor Pabel Muñoz and Security Secretary Carolina Andrade, to discuss the municipality’s priorities in citizen security. The Administrator participated in a Municipal Radio FM program with youth and municipal leaders to foster a youth-centric discussion that promotes their participation in citizen security policymaking, oversight, and initiatives. Following the local radio program, the Administrator officially launched PILARES, USAID’s new citizen security program in Ecuador. The program partners with Ecuadorians to respond to rising crime and violence by fostering engagement between civil society, communities, and different levels of government in service of enhanced citizen security.
Later, the Administrator met with a group of civil society representatives to discuss citizen priorities and Ecuador’s democratic trajectory. They discussed the importance of continuing to strengthen democratic institutions to protect human rights and deliver tangible results for the Ecuadorian people. They agreed on the importance of broad dialogue and citizen participation as Ecuador undergoes an important political transition, and discussed the unique contributions of civil society and the independent media to the analysis of national challenges and the identification of potential solutions.
