The new U.S. Ambassador to Ecuador, Arthur W. Brown, has arrived in Quito to lead the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in both Quito and Guayaquil. His role involves collaborating with the government, private sector, civil society institutions, and Ecuadorian citizens to advance democracy, promote human rights, combat corruption, support inclusive economic development, and conserve the environment.
"Ecuador is a strategic partner for the United States in South America as democratic governance is under pressure throughout the region," said Ambassador Brown. He emphasized his key priorities: "Strengthening our bilateral relationship and continuing cooperation with Ecuador through deepening inclusive development, commercial ties, increasing security cooperation, promoting mutual and inclusive economic growth, and cooperation on issues of mutual interest will be key priorities for me."
Ambassador Brown is a career member of the Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor. He served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Harare from 2021 to 2022 and was USAID Mission Director in Zimbabwe from 2020 to 2021. His extensive career spans over 30 years with service across Africa, Southwest Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean regions.
His assignments have included work in Botswana, Guinea, Nigeria; regional support activities in Sierra Leone; Haiti; Jamaica; Barbados; and Namibia. The Ambassador holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins University and degrees from the University of Virginia and National War College.
Before joining the Foreign Service, he worked for Johns Hopkins University on international maternal and child health programs. Additionally, he volunteered for civic organizations such as WIC program and Washington Free Clinic. As a Peace Corps volunteer for over three years in Benin's Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, he worked on rural community development.
Ambassador Brown met his wife in 1991; they have two children together.