PUBLISHED ONAugust 24, 2026 10:23 AMBYSean LerSingapore and Ecuador are separated by the vast Pacific Ocean, but while far apart in longitude, the two are remarkably close in latitude and share deep connections, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
In a toast speech at the state banquet hosted for Ecuador President Daniel Noboa Azin on Monday (Aug 24), President Tharman noted that while Ecuador takes its name from the Equator that passes through its territory, Singapore lies just one degree north of it.
He also pointed out that the two countries are both maritime nations with a history of looking outward — using the oceans for connectivity and trade, and to build friendships and partnerships around the world.
"As maritime nations, we share a joint interest in upholding the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and freedom of navigation, and in preserving the broader rules-based international order," President Tharman said.
The two countries also recognise the importance of openness to trade and investment, he said.
President Tharman highlighted that both Singapore and Ecuador are gateways to their respective regions.
Ecuador is well-positioned to connect the Pacific coast of South America, while Singapore is a member of ASEAN and a leading maritime and logistics hub.
This means that Ecuador can help Singapore companies access opportunities in the Andean region and the wider markets of Latin America, and Singapore can serve a similar role for Ecuadorian companies looking to connect with Southeast Asian supply chains, investors, and consumers, he said.
Turning to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on development cooperation inked on Monday, President Tharman said the agreement is a starting point for the two countries to strengthen their partnership in areas of mutual priority such as trade, education, governance, digitalisation, and public health.
The MOU will promote cooperation through capacity building and the exchange of information on best practices in the identified areas.
President Tharman also said that the two countries should create more opportunities for its people — across business, public service and youth — to meet and engage.
"It is through these personal relationships that the most enduring forms of cooperation take root," he said.
Rounding up his speech, President Tharman said: "Our countries may appear distant on a map, but distance does not determine the depth of a partnership. Shared purpose does."
Earlier on Monday, the Ecuadorian President also met with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
In a Facebook post after the meeting, PM Wong said that the visit reflects Ecuador's growing interest in engaging the Southeast Asia region, adding that Singapore is keen to deepen its links with Ecuador and Latin America, and to build closer partnerships across the region.
The two leaders discussed how they can take bilateral relations forward, including in food security, trade, logistics and digitalisation.
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