"María Amparo brings substantive and timely knowledge to the challenges related to sustainable development. In the more than two decades of our professional collaboration she has used her analytical capacity to achieve consensus among the most diverse stakeholders. Hers commitment to justice and the good management of natural resources stand out in her brilliant career"
Francisco Naranjo
Director General for Latin America, Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)
Ecuadorian Lawyer. Nominated in 2018, by the President of Ecuador in the triad for the position of Attorney General. More than fifteen years’ experience on the inter-linkages between trade, investment, and sustainability on which she has performed extensive work. Within her areas of expertise, has taken active roles in many multilateral forums such as the Ministerial Conferences of the World Trade Organization, among others. Has been Associate Professor at Catholic University of Quito and the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO). Served as an advisor to the Ministry of Environment of Ecuador as well as lead trade negotiator and advisor to the Minister of Trade, on trade policy matters, including the negotiations of a Trade Agreement between the Andean countries and the United States. Has extensive experience on national and international natural resources, trade and sustainability law and policy including in the drafting of environmental legislation. Has participated and led different research projects with UN and Inter-American Agencies as well as Economic Commissions. Received her law degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (PUCE), and a master degree in economic law and international trade, sustainable development and environment from the Andean University Simon Bolivar (UASB). Has studied international trade negotiation at Harvard and Columbia University.Founder and former Executive Director of the Ecuadorian Center for Environmental Law. Founder of ACD consulting, where she focuses on trade, environment, and development. Key expert in the sustainable palm oil roundtable and climate change initiatives for agricultural commodities in developing countries. Since 2019, research fellow of the China-Latin America Legal Studies Center of Shanghai University. Currently teaches environmental law at Universidad de los Hemisferios and Trade negotiations at the University of the Americas (UDLA) in Ecuador.
Key Areas of Expertise: Comparative environmental law, sustainability policies, climate change strategies, sustainable commodities, international trade, investment and sustainable development, private sector and energy.
Skills: Facilitator, negotiator, strategist and leading of change processes.
Languages: Spanish and English (bilingual).
Skills: Facilitator, negotiator, strategist and leading of change processes.
Languages: Spanish and English (bilingual).