Diego Ramírez Mesec

Diego has a broad international perspective, forged in his academic training and extensive professional experience as a diplomat and lawyer. After obtaining his law degree an JD, he trained at the Diplomatic Academy and then pursued postgraduate studies in the United States. A member of the Foreign Service for almost 20 years, he served in the Embassies in Bogotá and Washington as well as in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Quito, and also held positions of trust in the Ministry of Industry, Foreign Trade, Competitiveness, Integration and Fisheries.  He was involved in the negotiations for the Free Trade Area of the Americas, and later for the Free Trade Agreement with the United States of America.

In private practice he has advised international clients (from the United States, Europe, Latin America, China and Japan) as well as local companies, in countless commercial and financial transactions for a combined amount in excess of USD 20 billion (including the largest debt-for-nature swap to date, the first issue of a Sovereign Social Bond, and other complex financing structures, meriting international recognition by prestigious international rankings.  His practice extends to foreign investment, international arbitration, antitrust, banking & finance and telecommunications.

Diego advised Credit Suisse on the structuring of the largest blue bond issue in history, in support of marine conservation and natural capital of the Galapagos Islands; the transaction also involves significant benefits in public debt reduction for the Republic of Ecuador.