In this exclusive interview for Latingulf.ae, we are honored to sit down with Gabriela Sommerfeld, Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility-a pioneering leader whose dynamic career bridges both the private and public sectors. Born in Quito, Minister Sommerfeld has distinguished herself as a trailblazer in aviation, tourism, and sustainable development, becoming the first Ecuadorian woman to lead an airline in the Americas and earning international recognition for her leadership and advocacy.
Today, she stands at the forefront of Ecuador’s foreign policy, steering the nation’s global engagement and fostering new opportunities for Ecuadorians abroad.
Minister Sommerfeld’s recent official visit to the United Arab Emirates marks a pivotal moment in the deepening relationship between Ecuador and the UAE. On this historic occasion, she accompanied President Daniel Noboa as part of the high-level Ecuadorian delegation, underscoring the significance of the visit as the first embassy inauguration abroad under the current administration.
During the visit, Minister Sommerfeld and President Noboa engaged in substantive discussions with key Emirati leaders, including Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, and H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. These meetings focused on expanding cooperation in vital sectors such as renewable energy, infrastructure, food and water security, mining, tourism, and investment, reflecting a shared vision for sustainable development and mutual prosperity.
In addition, the delegation prioritized security and technological collaboration, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cybersecurity and cyber cooperation. This agreement establishes a framework for joint efforts in legislative and regulatory solutions, judicial and police activities, crime prevention, and coordinated responses to cyberattacks-demonstrating both countries’ commitment to addressing emerging digital threats and fostering innovation in information and communication technology.
The mission also included meetings with leading Emirati institutions such as the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and Dubai Ports World, further strengthening economic ties and exploring new avenues for collaboration.
The presence of a robust Ecuadorian business delegation, alongside the President and Foreign Minister, highlighted the importance of public-private synergy in realizing the ambitious agenda set forth by both governments2.
This interview delves into Minister Sommerfeld’s vision for Ecuador’s new diplomatic presence in the UAE, the strategic priorities guiding bilateral cooperation, and the broader significance of opening Ecuador’s first embassy under President Daniel Noboa’s administration.
We explore her insights on the evolving Arab-Latin American relationship, the role of chambers of commerce in fostering business ties, and the ambitious agenda that aims to attract sustainable investment and drive development in both regions.
Through her candid reflections, readers gain a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges shaping Ecuador’s foreign policy and the promising future of Ecuador-UAE relations.
Thank you, Minister, for granting us this exclusive interview. To begin, could you share the significance of Ecuador’s official opening representation in the United Arab Emirates, and how does it align with the country’s broader foreign policy objectives?
The opening of this embassy marks a significant milestone in Ecuador’s foreign policy. We are writing a new chapter in the history of our international relations.
This is the first embassy that President Daniel Noboa’s administration has inaugurated abroad, reflecting our firm commitment to strengthening diplomatic and cooperative ties.
Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates share common values and visions focused on sustainable development and the well-being of their people. This official representation seeks to expand trade opportunities, attract investment, promote cooperation in various strategic areas, and provide support to the Ecuadorian community residing in this region. Moreover, the embassy symbolizes a piece of our territory—our sovereignty and national dignity—within the United Arab Emirates.
Following the opening of the embassy, we have closely followed the appointment of Felipe Ribadeneira as Ecuador’s official representative to the United Arab Emirates. His designation has drawn significant attention in our media, particularly given his distinguished background in international trade. What insights can you share regarding this appointment and its importance for Ecuador’s mission in the UAE?
Indeed, this appointment reflects a clear vision from the very beginning. The profile of our ambassadors must, above all, demonstrate a deep respect for and identification with the host country, as well as a strong commitment to the agenda of President Daniel Noboa’s government.
Felipe Ribadeneira is a highly respected figure in the business and international trade sectors. We have known him for many years due to his leadership at the Ecuadorian Exporters Federation, where he proved to be a professional of great integrity, with strong technical expertise and strategic vision. He is respected both nationally and internationally.
His experience allows him to take on this role without the need for a learning curve; he knows exactly what the objectives, challenges, and opportunities are. With his leadership, we expect this new phase in the relationship between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates to accelerate the processes of cooperation and development for the benefit of both nations.
Looking ahead, which key sectors will the Embassy in the United Arab Emirates prioritize to strengthen bilateral cooperation—particularly in the areas of trade, investment, culture, and tourism?
First and foremost, one of the immediate objectives is to finalize the negotiation phase of the trade agreement between both countries—a process that benefits from strong mutual interest and is expected to be concluded in the near future. Secondly, efforts are underway to sign a bilateral investment protection agreement, a key instrument to ensure legal security for investors and to promote a favorable business climate.
In collaboration with the Development Fund, we have also identified several strategic sectors to attract investment through various mechanisms, including government-to-government agreements, equity participation schemes, and direct financing. Priority sectors include energy—particularly renewable sources such as solar—social housing, oil and gas projects, and the development of applied technologies like artificial intelligence, especially in the healthcare sector.
Ecuador now offers an expanded portfolio of projects that goes beyond traditional focuses such as housing and energy. This new, more diverse and ambitious agenda will guide the coming months, aiming to strengthen bilateral cooperation and attract sustainable investments.
Drawing on your extensive experience, how do you perceive the Arab world’s view of Latin America today—and Ecuador in particular?
From our perspective, and as President Noboa has stated, we do not view international relations as a space where only one country benefits. We believe in bilateral partnerships where both parties gain, grounded in mutual respect, transparency, and genuine cooperation.
In this regard, Arab countries—and particularly the United Arab Emirates—have demonstrated a clear interest in expanding their investments into regions with strong development potential. Ecuador today presents itself as a country with solid democratic institutions, elected by a broad majority of its citizens, and committed to a development agenda rooted in open markets, respect for human rights, and economic stability.
Our country operates under a dollarized economy and has earned international market confidence; a notable example is that Ecuador’s sovereign bond was the best-performing in global markets during 2024. This environment creates favorable conditions for attracting investment with competitive returns.
Furthermore, the Ecuadorian government is promoting efficient mechanisms for project implementation through public-private partnerships, government-to-government agreements, and other frameworks that allow for swift execution, avoiding lengthy delays. This gives investors confidence that their projects will move forward securely and within reasonable timeframes.
In your view, what role do chambers of commerce play in fostering business development, and how do you believe they can contribute to strengthening ties between Ecuador and UAE in light of this new diplomatic presence in the UAE?
We clearly understand that a country’s development, under the model we promote, is based on harmonious collaboration between the public and private sectors. The government is responsible for establishing the legal framework, creating the necessary conditions, and opening doors for cooperation. However, the effective execution of projects lies primarily with the private sector.
For this reason, we emphasize the importance of the business delegation that accompanied President Daniel Noboa during his visit to the United Arab Emirates. This delegation held key meetings with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and, more recently, participated in discussions with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce alongside the President himself.
Chambers of commerce play a vital role in this process: they are the ones who identify concrete opportunities, assess the supply and demand between both nations, and facilitate the implementation of agreements and projects. While the State acts as a facilitator—through instruments such as trade agreements and investment protection treaties—it is the private sector that drives implementation and commercial dynamism.
This process cannot depend on a single actor. It requires a coordinated country effort, with a shared vision, a clear agenda, and effective alignment across all sectors. Only through such unified action can we move forward with confidence—and at this stage, with accelerated momentum—toward our common goals of development and prosperity.
How would you evaluate your visit to the United Arab Emirates over the past few days, particularly within the context of this important diplomatic mission?
During my 17 months leading the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, I have had the honor of holding four significant meetings with authorities from the United Arab Emirates. The first took place in September 2024, during the United Nations General Assembly, where we signed the first two bilateral agreements between Ecuador and the UAE. It was an extremely cordial and respectful meeting, during which a fraternal bond was formed—one that has only grown stronger over time. Since then, we have maintained direct communication, which enabled us to move forward toward a second meeting.
This second meeting was originally intended to include President Daniel Noboa’s visit to the Emirates; however, due to internal matters, his trip had to be postponed. As a result, I assumed responsibility for carrying out a preparatory visit—what we might call a “diplomatic advance”—to lay the groundwork for our bilateral agenda. During that visit, the warmth, respect, and openness with which I was received exceeded all expectations. Various Emirati institutions, at the highest level, expressed their willingness to invest in an Ecuador that is now opening its doors to the world and actively promoting opportunities for cooperation.
From that visit, we developed a seven-point strategic agenda, which we have been steadily fulfilling in just four months.
At that time, I committed to returning with our president and inaugurating the Ecuadorian Embassy in Abu Dhabi as a symbol of the deepening of our bilateral relationship. Today, I am pleased to say that not only have those commitments been honored, but the ties between our nations have grown significantly stronger.
The affinity between the leaders of both countries is evident, rooted in shared core values: working with integrity to ensure the well-being of our people. Happiness comes when the basic needs of a population are met, and that is the goal of the Ecuadorian government—a government committed to acting swiftly and decisively. It is heartening to find in the United Arab Emirates a nation equally eager to move forward at the same pace.
Our economies are highly complementary: Ecuador has a vast food supply, while the UAE has a growing demand in this area. Likewise, we offer numerous investment opportunities in strategic sectors aligned with Emirati interests. This partnership is undoubtedly poised to become a fruitful and lasting relationship.
The fourth occasion on which I met with Emirati authorities was in December 2024, during a dinner hosted by Ecuador to mark the conclusion of our term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Throughout those 12 months, we worked closely with the UAE to promote peace and global security. Today, those diplomatic efforts reach their highest expression with the meeting of our leaders and the consolidation of a shared agenda. From this point forward, we look forward to seeing how these ties will translate into concrete results for the mutual benefit of both nations.
(C) Exclusive by Latingulf.ae – UAE 2025
