Republic of Ecuador

Positions for the Group of 77

  1. Addressing the Role of Climate Change in Economic Development

The Republic of Ecuador (Ecuador), with its own economy heavily dependent on environmental capacity, understands the gravity of the effects of climate change. Ecuador calls upon its fellow Member States to seize the opportunity to work towards a stronger and more deliberate climate program, thereby increasing room for economic development across the globe. Internationally, Ecuador has partnered with fellow United Nations (UN) Member States as a signatory to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which aims at finding solutions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Ecuador encourages cooperative international partnerships to create a healthier planet, which has been a primary component in its charge to the Paris Climate Change Conference and which seeks establish an international environmental criminal court. This climate treaty stems from the previous Kyoto Protocol, a contract which Ecuador backed and agreed upon the standards for global waste emissions. Ecuador stands behind the Millennium Development Goals, as well as the current 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with particular emphasis on forest and energy (hydro or other) conservation. Regionally, Ecuador is a key member of Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), which pledges itself to the defense of nature and to restoration measures, in light of the substantial degree of agricultural production within the Andean region. Moreover, Ecuador has proposed a Trans-Amazon Electric Train (El Train Eléctrico Transamazónico), which benefits the Sustainable Development goals and reduces excess carbon emissions on the Latin American continent. The Member State acknowledges the severe effects which both flooding and temperature increase have had on its regional partners. Nationally, the constitution of Ecuador has been reinstated for the purposes of promoting a greener state (“In Dubio Pro Natura” or “When in doubt favor nature”), and its seventh chapter in particular affirms the rights of nature. Article 72 seeks to establish restoration of nature, and the surrounding texts authorize the State to place strict measures and boundaries on its industries for environmental protection. More recently, the nation has established an Organic Code on the Environment, recognizing the rights of nature and citizens’ rights to happy and healthy lives, in attempts to boost economic enterprise. Furthermore, Ecuador’s 2015 Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), lays out official climate objectives and developmental goals, highlighting the necessity of preserving the nation’s ecosystem and, notably, its hydroelectric plants. Specifically, the Andean State, though only emits 0.15% of the global GHG, strives to reduce its emissions and to keep the temperature rise at a minimum (under 1-2 degrees Celsius) and urges its neighbors to follow suit. With regards to re-forestation efforts, Ecuador has been granted upwards of $40 million USD by the UN’s Green Climate Fund. This investment directly benefits conservation goals and sustainable energy production. In light of these climate security efforts, Ecuador proposes a threefold Plan of Action, A.R.I.; Arrange for global production of sustainable energy plants; Restore natural resources, particularly reservoirs and forests, to further national growth and function; Increase financial requirements from Member States in the global North in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals pertaining to the environmental agenda.

  1. Improving Access to Healthcare in Developing Member States

The Republic of Ecuador (Ecuador) acknowledges significant challenges to the healthcare systems of many developing Member States, inhibiting accessible and affordable healthcare to the majority of the Global South. Ecuador affirms, upholds, and supports the third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of ensuring the health and well-being of all people. Internationally, Ecuador pledges its commitment to the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition, a health care movement in support of the SDGs, aiming to reduce the rampancy of noncommunicable diseases, particularly in infants and children. Ecuador supports A/RES/67/81, emphasizing the need for global health care, tailored to each individual Member State. Recognizing the Global Health Observatory data of 2016, Ecuador supports The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on global health monitoring, enabling thorough and extensive data collection which will enhance the understanding of global healthcare trends and problems. Regionally, Ecuador participates in and aids The Latin America and Caribbean National Health Accounts (LACNHA), a network of eight states seeking to develop contextualized solutions to inaccessible healthcare and analyze the capacity of states to develop their healthcare systems. Ecuador acknowledges inaccessible health care as the leading cause for maternal and infant mortality in Latin America. Along with 32 other Member States in the Americas, Ecuador supports UNICEF’s A Promise Renewed, committing to preserving and enhancing the lives of children. As a member of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Organization of American States (OAS), Ecuador seeks to strengthen the relations between ministries of health and government agencies, enable the development of proper technology, and prevent communicable and noncommunicable diseases. Ecuador affirms the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) in its plans to establish better regional healthcare. Nationally, Ecuador is making great strides towards universal healthcare as a leading example for Member States in Latin America. Ecuador is the first Latin American state to comply with the standards of Emergency Medical Equipment, including mobile healthcare and surgical units. In response to the April 2016 earthquake, Ecuador seeks to have the proper measures in place to soften the devastating effects of any future disasters. The Ecuadorian Ministry of Public Health has established two categories of healthcare: Social Security healthcare and Public health care. The Social Security healthcare sector has established fully equipped hospitals, receiving funding through direct taxes out of payroll. Public healthcare has established free healthcare for all, upholding Ecuador’s commitment to universal healthcare. As Ecuador continues to uphold and advance healthcare initiatives locally, Ecuador hopes to further promote healthcare across the globe through the Plan of Action, G.R.O.W.; Generate funding and training from the Global North to advance healthcare initiatives in the Global South, upholding and supporting the SDGs and including local legislatures in the process; Require a certain number of fully equipped medical facilities per capita, taking into account geographical context; Organize mobile healthcare units for Member States suffering from natural disasters or war zones; Work in congruity with local governments to contextualize healthcare systems according to prioritized needs and establish the training of local medical professionals.