In Quito on October 19, the Secretary will meet with President Guillermo Lasso and Foreign Minister Mauricio Montalvo to continue discussions on democratic governance, counternarcotics cooperation, growing bilateral opportunities for trade and investment, advancing regional security and human rights, migration, climate ambition, and other issues that reflect the importance of the U.S.-Ecuador relationship. On October 20, the Secretary will deliver a speech on the challenges facing democracies in the region, and how we can work together to deliver for our people. Additionally, the Secretary will participate in a business event that will highlight opportunities for collaboration with small- and medium-sized businesses, including women entrepreneurs, which are the engine of job creation and sustainable economic growth.
The Secretary will then travel to Bogotá from October 20-21, where he will meet with President Iván and Vice President-Foreign Minister Marta Lucía Ramírez to discuss our shared priorities, including advocating for strong democratic governments throughout the region, supporting sustainable peace and reconciliation, tackling irregular migration, combatting narcotics trafficking, promoting and protecting human rights, and addressing the climate crisis. While in Bogotá, the Secretary will also co-lead a migration ministerial to address irregular migration with our regional partners and support safe, orderly, and humane migration policies in line with each country's immigration law, while also protecting vulnerable populations. Additionally, the Secretary will open the U.S.-Colombia High-Level Dialogue, engage in a conversation on democracy and human rights with youth leaders and civic activists, and participate in an event on tackling the climate crisis.
