President Correa commends the work of the Charles Darwin Foundation on its 50th Anniversary

While vacationing in the Galapagos, President of Ecuador Rafael Correa visited the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) and the Galapagos National Park (GNP) in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galapagos. During a visit of approximately two-and-a-half hours, the President and his entourage, including his children Sofia and Miguel, were briefed on the wide range of scientific research and technical assistance programs carried out by CDF in support of the conservation and sustainable management of Galapagos. Dr. Gabriel López, CDF Executive Director, explained to the President CDF's holistic vision and the framework guiding key initiatives with the aim of promoting Galapagos sustainability. Both agreed on the need to redouble efforts in support of sustainable development in the archipelago.

The first stop, targeting the young people in the entourage and coordinated by CDF's Education Unit , was a puppet show on the importance of keeping invasive species out of Galapagos and the measures taken by the government to accomplish that objective. The President also visited CDF's entomology collection, one of the largest in the country and the world's most comprehensive for Galapagos species. The President regarded with great interest and curiosity the presentations provided by CDF scientists. In a visit led by GNP staff to the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center, President Correa visited the hatchling he adopted in 2006 and recorded a video congratulating the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galapagos National Park on 50 years of partnership in successfully maintaining more than 95 percent of the archipelago in very good condition. Acknowledging the threats facing the archipelago, President Correa emphasized his Government's deep commitment to the conservation and sustainability of the Galapagos Archipelago and recognized the work of CDF in partnership with the GNP and other agencies of the Ecuadorian government as a key to this objective.