Muchas gracias, Señor Presidente Correa.

Señoras y señores,

Buenos dias. Mucho gusto.

Since this is Valentine's Day, allow me to say: adoro Ecuador.

I just arrived in Ecuador but my visit has already been productive.

President Correa and I discussed a number of pressing issues that concern us both.

Earlier today, I also discussed many of these matters with Foreign Minister [Ricardo] Patiño.

I have come to Ecuador to show my support.

I know you are still recovering from the events of last September.

At the time, I expressed my support for Ecuador's democratic institutions and its elected government. I am here now to stand with the government and people of Ecuador.

I salute President Correa, who since taking office four years ago has brought stability to the country.

I trust that with dialogue, Ecuador will continue to strengthen its institutions, advance development and forge solidarity.

I commend President Correa for his advancement in reducing the inequality rate by more than 5%.

Ecuador's diversity is not only present in its natural resources, but also in its people. Approximately one quarter of Ecuador's population are indigenous peoples.

I welcome that Ecuador's new Constitution represents a positive development for the advancement of indigenous peoples' rights.

I am also aware that there are still some gaps in the implementation of the Constitution. I encourage further progress.

Throughout this process, it is critical that everyone respect Ecuador's vibrant diversity. And I hope that all differences will be resolved through dialogue.

This is not just my message for Ecuador. Respect for diversity and dialogue are essential for all countries and peoples. Leaders must speak with members of civil society, with the media and with each other.

This is how we foster understanding. This is how we move forward together.

Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are the basis for stability.

That is why I applaud Ecuador's engagement on human rights. Ecuador is a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council. You have ratified all core human rights treaties.

Ecuador's open invitation to UN human rights experts is a model for other countries to follow.

You are building on a proud history.

Ecuador was the first country in the world to ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and, more recently, Ecuador was one of the first countries to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

In Ecuador, rights extend to nature. I applaud your Constitution for granting rights to the natural environment. This is also an example for other countries to follow.

This morning, I had the chance to express my appreciation for Ecuador's contribution to United Nations peacekeeping.

I hope we will see even more Ecuadorians serving with the United Nations ? especially women, who are so important to our mission for peace and security.

I also congratulate Ecuador on the Yasuni-ITT initiative.

This innovative concept to combat global warming strikes at the root of the problem by preventing the release of CO2 in the first place.

I look forward to seeing what more Ecuador will do to build on the climate change momentum generated by last year's conference in Cancun.

That effort is one of my main priorities. It is a key part of a broad global agenda being pursued by the United Nations.

We are deepening our work on global health and empowering women.

We are preventing conflicts where we can and promoting stability in hotspots.

We are striving to improve our response to humanitarian emergencies.

We are strengthening the UN to achieve all these goals. I am grateful for Ecuador's support, and I will leave here all the more determined to strengthen our partnership for peace, development and human rights.

Nos vemos pronto.

Muchas gracias. Thank you very much.