Candidate for the Security Council of the United Nations, 2023-2024

A Message from President Guillermo Lasso Mendoza

Ecuador was built upon a strong culture of peace, and as its president I invite all the peoples
of the world to revitalize together the promise of the United Nations to practice tolerance and
live together in peace with one another, as good neighbors.

Throughout our history, we have consistently promoted international law as the best tool to
ensure equality of States, which in turn is a necessary guarantee to avoid domination among
peoples and to allow peaceful coexistence and friendly cooperation among nations.

The United Nations Charter prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity
or political independence of any State, and compels us to defend dialogue as the backbone of
international peace and security.

Peace and development are mutually reinforcing, which is why the work of the Security
Council is essential to the international community's efforts to achieve the Sustainable
Development Goals and to ensure effective multilateralism. Our dedication to these objectives
is unwavering.

Ecuador will continue to act according to international law. It is fully committed to the peaceful
settlement of disputes, the right to self-determination, the full respect for territorial integrity,
and the protection of civilians, with special emphasis on the rights of women and children in
all regions of the world.

Furthermore, as a member of the Security Council, Ecuador would stay true to the traditional
principles of its foreign policy, that is, the maintenance of international peace and security, the
promotion and protection of human rights, and sustainable development.

The President of Ecuador, Mr. Guillermo Lasso Mendoza, at the General Debate of the 76th
General Assembly of the United Nations.
 Ecuador's Contribution to the Maintenance of International Peace and Security

Ecuador has previously served in the Security Council in 1950-1951,
1960-1961 and 1991- 1992; in addition, it has consistently contributed to
the efforts of the Council during open debates, as allowed by Rule 37 of
the provisional rules of procedure.
Ecuador has also led and contributed to processes, mechanisms, and
bodies of the United Nations System in charge of disarmament and
international security. Among others, it has chaired the Disarmament
and International Security Committee of the UN General Assembly,
and currently serves in its bureau, as on several previous occasions.
Ecuador has also chaired the Special Political and Decolonization
Committee, as well as the Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24)
in numerous sessions.
In 2023, we will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the creation of the
“Ecuador Peacekeeping Operations School”.
Ecuador promotes peacebuilding at the sub-regional, regional, and
international levels, and actively contributed to the 2020 Review of the
United Nations Peacebuilding Architecture and previous processes.
Ecuador was one of the main co-initiators of the joint Statement of
support by 172 UN Member States to the UN Secretary-General's
appeal for a global ceasefire amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to
facilitate humanitarian access in conflict zones, ahead of the adoption
of Resolution 2532 (2020) by the Council.

In May 2021, Ecuador joined the Accountability, Coherence, and

Transparency Group (ACT). As a member of this cross-regional group,
Ecuador has continuously contributed to United Nations
Ecuador co-led the position presented in the UN General Assembly
Peacekeeping Operations with military personnel in several missions,
debate on the Security Council’s Annual Report, held in June 2021.
including in the currently active UNMISS, UNISFA, MINURSO, and
MINUSCA missions.

Ecuador has permanently supported the strengthening of

Ecuador has also consistently supported the strengthening of the multilateralism and the efforts for a more democratic and equitable
capacities and security of peacekeeping operations through the efforts international order.
of the General Assembly and the Special Committee on Peacekeeping
Operations (C-34), and by co-sponsoring relevant resolutions of the
Security Council including resolutions 2518 (2020) and 2538 (2020).
 Ecuador’s Commitments in the Security Council Ecuador's Priorities in the Security Council

As member of the Council for the 2023-2024 term, Ecuador will continue to
Peace and Security are a traditional pillar of Ecuador’s foreign policy
and a priority for its Government. The priorities for its work as a
member of the Security Council for the 2023-2024 term include:

Promote the respect for all the principles and The peaceful settlement of disputes and the support for a global ceasefire
provisions established in the UN Charter, and to through the call for immediate cessation of hostilities, where possible, beyond
uphold and promote international law. the current health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Strengthening and sustaining peace, through the prevention of outbreaks,

recurrence or continuation of armed conflicts, including by addressing
emerging threats, such as pandemics.

Protecting civilians, as the best way to commemorate the 75th anniversary of

Promote the peaceful settlement of the Geneva Conventions in 2024, and strengthening efforts to keep children
out of armed conflicts, as well as protecting those affected by conflict settings.
disputes and act as a peace enabler.

Supporting the Women, Peace and Security Agenda through the call to
eliminate barriers that prevent a greater participation of women in peace
processes, peacebuilding and peacekeeping.

Strive for more open, inclusive, and effective

working methods in the Security Council. Supporting non-proliferation efforts through the existing mechanisms of the
Council, as well as fighting against illicit arms trafficking, which endangers
global peace and security at all levels.
A Long and Sincere Involvement with the United Nations

Credit: UN Photo/Ron da Silva

Credit: UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Mr. Diego Cordovez had an extensive career
at the service of the UN. Here in his capacity
of  the Secretary-General's Special Adviser

Credit: UN Photo/Milton Grant

on Cyprus, holding a press conference at
headquarters on July 14, 1997. He was also
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador.

The first UN High Commissioner for

Human Rights was an Ecuadorian
The Security Council held its first summit-level meeting on January 31, 1992. Among the participants was diplomat: Mr. José Ayala-Lasso.
president Rodrigo Borja-Cevallos of Ecuador, fifth from the left. Here in a press conference at
headquarters on November 22,
1994.

Credit: Presidencia de la República del Ecuador

Credit: UN Photo/Mili
The President of Ecuador, Mr. Guillermo
Lasso Mendoza, signs the guest book of
the Secretary General at the 76th
General Assembly of the United Nations. Mr. Galo Plaza (standing), Ambassador to the USA and
member of the Delegation from Ecuador, addressing a
Committee of Commission I (General Provisions) held on 15
June, 1945 in the San Francisco Conference. Seated in front
of him is Mr. Victor Andrés Belaúnde, of Peru.
 ECUADOR IN THE MIDDLE OF
Ecuador
THE WORLD

COLOMBIA A Mega-diverse Ecuador is considered one of the most biodiverse countries in

Country the world, thanks to the great diversity of its natural species.
QUITO
0°0'00"

THE GALAPAGOS
ISLANDS 4 Worlds in
One Country

GUAYAQUIL

Official UNESCO World Heritage Sites

PACIFIC PERÚ
OCEAN

Galapagos: World Natural

Sangay National Park
Heritage Site

O E

Quito and Cuenca: both cities have been designated

World Cultural Heritage Sites
S
 Credit: UN Photo/Yould

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador, Mr. Camilo Ponce,

signs the United Nations Charter in San Francisco in 1945.