Ramiro Armijos GallegosRear Admiral Ramiro Armijos Gallegos joined the Ecuadorian Naval Academy in February 1986 and graduated as an Ensign in December 1989. Throughout his distinguished career, he has pursued continuous academic and professional development, earning a Master’s degree in Computer and Information Sciences from Old Dominion University (USA), a Graduate Certificate in Defense and Strategic Studies from the Armed Forces University – ESPE, and completing advanced studies in International Relations at Universidad del Salvador in Argentina. He has also attended senior naval and joint staff courses in Ecuador, South Korea, and the United States. In May 2025, Rear Admiral Armijos was appointed National Director of Aquatic Spaces of Ecuador. In this capacity, he is responsible for overseeing the administration and protection of the nation’s maritime, riverine, and lacustrine domains—ensuring maritime security and safety, environmental protection, and the safeguarding of human life at sea. His leadership contributes directly to national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and public security, while fostering Ecuador’s maritime development. He has held a wide range of strategic and operational positions within the Navy, including: Commander of the Navy Fleet; Commander of the Islands Operations Command and Coast Guard Regional Directorate (Galápagos); Director of Naval Operations at the Joint Armed Forces Command; Director General of Maritime Interests; Director of Logistics; Superintendent of the Ecuador Naval Academy; and Military and Cabinet Advisor to the Ministry of Defense. His sea service includes command and operational roles aboard missile corvettes and frigates, and he has led major institutional projects, such as the implementation of the Navy’s corporate data network and maritime simulators. Rear Admiral Armijos has received numerous national and international honors, including academic distinctions and military decorations from Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and France, recognizing his leadership, academic achievements, and professional excellence.Alicia Jaramillo CaboAlicia Jaramillo Cabo is a marine biologist and specialist in strategic environmental management, with more than 18 years of experience in designing and implementing solutions focused on sustainability and eco-efficiency. She holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Management and has training in sustainable finance, enabling her to integrate technical, economic, and public policy perspectives into environmental management. Throughout her career, she has led multisectoral projects focused on environmental studies and audits, hazardous waste management, and the optimization of production processes under regulatory compliance and efficiency criteria. For over 18 years, she served as General Manager of Ecoeficiencia Cía. Ltda., where she built extensive experience in environmental consulting and the leadership of technical teams. Her work has also been linked to strategic initiatives at both national and international levels, including the development of management plans for binational watersheds between Ecuador and Peru, as well as environmental and social management projects such as the Santay Island Ecological Project and environmental education programs in Guayaquil. Additionally, she has actively participated in environmental volunteer initiatives, promoting citizen engagement in conservation.