US and Ecuador convene meeting of the Trade and Environment Committee under U.S.-Ecuador Trade and Investment Council

On September 19, 2024, the United States and Ecuador convened the inaugural meeting of the of the Trade and Environment Committee (Committee) under the United States-Ecuador Trade and Investment Council.

The Committee, chaired by Assistant United States Trade Representative for Environment and Natural Resources Kelly Milton, exchanged views and priorities regarding trade and environment policies, including addressing the climate crisis, and finalized the Committee’s work plan, which establishes a series of in-depth discussions to deepen our bilateral trade relationship. The Committee also shared perspectives and experiences on forest sector governance and combating illegal logging and associated trade.

Milton also met with local environmental stakeholders to learn about challenges and opportunities on trade-related environmental issues, such as illegal logging, plastic pollution and circular economy approaches, biodiversity conservation, wildlife trafficking, and illegal mining.