UK and Ecuador Hold First Bilateral Political Consultation

The UK and Ecuador have held their first ever Bilateral Political Consultation, meeting in London on 19 March 2026 to deepen cooperation across security, trade, environment, and education. Both governments described the relationship as excellent and agreed to reconvene in Ecuador in 2027, establishing a recurring diplomatic mechanism between the two countries.

What Happened?

Delegations from the UK and Ecuador gathered in London on 19 March 2026 for the first ever Bilateral Political Consultation between the two countries. The meeting was co-chaired by:

• Ambassador Alejandro Dávalos, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador
• Chris Elmore MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Multilateral, Human Rights, Latin America and the Caribbean (UK)

The consultation reaffirmed what both governments described as a "strong and historic partnership" and a shared commitment to maintaining regular political and technical dialogue. This is the first time the UK and Ecuador have formalised this type of structured diplomatic consultation.

Security Cooperation

Both sides emphasised the need to strengthen joint action against transnational organised crime. Areas of focus included:

• Maritime security
• Drug trafficking routes
• Information sharing between agencies
• Efforts to combat illicit financial flows

Chris Elmore MP stressed the UK's commitment to enhancing regional and international security as part of the discussion.

Trade and Investment

The consultation highlighted the existing trade relationship between the two countries, supported by two key agreements:

• The Double Taxation Agreement between the UK and Ecuador
• The Andean Trade Agreement

Ambassador Dávalos highlighted the strategic importance of the banana trade for Ecuador's economic growth, development, labour standards, sustainability, and environmental protection. Ecuador is one of the world's largest exporters of bananas, and the sector is central to its economy.

Environment and Climate

Both governments reaffirmed their cooperation on climate and environmental matters. Discussions covered:

• Climate action and biodiversity
• Environmental protection
• Scientific collaboration in the Galápagos Islands, where Ecuador offers scientific research grants

This aligns with wider UK climate diplomacy and Ecuador's globally recognised role in conservation, particularly through the Galápagos archipelago.

People to People Links

The meeting also covered the growing connections between people in both countries. This included:

• Chevening Scholarships, the UK's flagship international scholarship programme
• Academic and educational partnerships
• Ecuador's scientific research grants in the Galápagos
• Growing business and tourism links between the two countries

Both sides noted that these connections are becoming increasingly central to the bilateral relationship.

Why This Matters

This consultation is significant for several reasons:

• It signals a UK effort to deepen ties with Latin American democracies through structured bilateral frameworks
• It reflects Ecuador's interest in diversifying its international partnerships
• Both countries share concerns about regional instability and the growth of transnational organised crime
• The meeting builds on existing trade agreements and looks to expand them further

The consultation also fits into the UK's broader post Brexit strategy of strengthening bilateral frameworks with mid sized economies around the world, rather than relying solely on multilateral arrangements.

What Happens Next?

At the conclusion of the meeting, both governments agreed to:

• Continue advancing the issues discussed at the London consultation
• Maintain regular political and technical dialogue
• Meet again in Ecuador in 2027

This establishes a recurring diplomatic mechanism between the UK and Ecuador, rather than a one off meeting, meaning the relationship is intended to develop on an ongoing basis.