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The Embassy of Ecuador in Geneva |
Contact
Address
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Ecuador to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
15, Chemin Camille-Vidart
1202 Geneva
Phone Number
+41 22 732 49 55
The Ambassador
H.E. Mr. Marcelo Vázquez Bermúdez
H.E. Mr. Marcelo Vázquez Bermúdez is the Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva. He presented his credentials to Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, upon assuming his position.
Prior to his appointment to Geneva, Mr. Vázquez Bermúdez served as Legal Adviser of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador since 2020. From 2014 to 2019, he was Deputy Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the Organization of American States (OAS). Previously, he served as Legal Adviser to the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador (2011–2013) and as Permanent Delegate of Ecuador to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) from 2006 to 2011. Between 2003 and 2006, he was Legal Adviser of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and from 1998 to 2003, he served as Legal Adviser of the Permanent Mission of Ecuador to the United Nations in New York.
Mr. Vázquez Bermúdez has had a distinguished career in the field of international law. Since 2023, he has served as First Vice-Chairman and subsequently Chairman of the United Nations International Law Commission (ILC), where he has also served as Special Rapporteur on General Principles of Law since 2018. Throughout his career, he has held several positions within the Commission and has contributed to the study and development of international legal principles. He has also lectured at several universities and published books and academic articles on international law.
Mr. Vázquez Bermúdez holds a Doctorate in Law and a qualification as Attorney at Law from the School of Law of the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador in Quito. He also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Law from the School of Law of the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú in Lima, a graduate diploma from the Andrés Bello Diplomatic Academy in Chile, and has undertaken studies in international law at Columbia University in New York.
History
The Republic of Ecuador became a member of the United Nations on 21 December 1945, as one of the Organization’s founding members. Since joining the UN, Ecuador has maintained an active role in multilateral diplomacy, with particular emphasis on international law, human rights, environmental protection, sustainable development, disarmament, and the interests of developing countries.
A distinctive aspect of Ecuador’s engagement in the United Nations has been its leadership on environmental issues and the recognition of the rights of nature. Ecuador played an important role in promoting international discussions on biodiversity protection and sustainable development, particularly through its advocacy for the protection of ecosystems such as the Amazon rainforest and the Galápagos Islands. The country has also been a strong supporter of multilateral action on climate change and was actively involved in negotiations leading to the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Ecuador has also contributed significantly to the development of international law through its participation in UN legal bodies. The country has been represented in the International Law Commission (ILC), a UN body responsible for the progressive development and codification of international law. Ecuadorian jurists and diplomats have played important roles in discussions on international legal principles, state responsibility, and other areas of international law. The country has also participated in UN forums addressing human rights, migration, indigenous peoples’ rights, humanitarian affairs, and development cooperation.
The Permanent Mission of Ecuador to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva represents Ecuador before Geneva-based institutions, including the UN Human Rights Council, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and other specialized agencies. The Mission works on issues including human rights, international humanitarian affairs, trade, health, labour, development, and international legal cooperation.
