In memory of Rodrigo Borja Cevallos
Former President of Ecuador and Honorary Member of the Charles Darwin Foundation
Rodrigo Borja’s connection to Galápagos was rooted in a deep respect for the islands and a conviction that their protection required strong institutions, long-term vision, and science at the center of decision-making. The Charles Darwin Foundation remembers the former President of Ecuador not only as a public figure, but as a committed supporter of conservation who remained closely linked to the Foundation as an Honorary Member until his recent passing.
Borja’s presidency, from 1988 to 1992, coincided with a formative moment for conservation governance in Galápagos. It was a period marked by open dialogue around the challenges facing the archipelago, with conservation issues discussed at the highest levels of government through frank exchange and constructive engagement among state authorities, the Galápagos National Park, and the Charles Darwin Foundation.
That spirit of collaboration translated into concrete institutional support. President Borja placed a high degree of trust in the Foundation and its mission. In 1989, the cooperation agreement between the Government of Ecuador and the Charles Darwin Foundation—which allows the Foundation to operate the Charles Darwin Research Station as the principal scientific advisor to the Galápagos National Park—was extended for an additional five years.
CDF Archive
The partnership deepened further in 1991, when President Borja invited CDF representatives to the Presidential Palace to sign a renewed cooperation agreement extending the mandate of the Charles Darwin Research Station for 25 years until 2016. The agreement was signed by Dr. Craig MacFarland, then President of the Foundation, and Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign Relations, Chancellor Diego Cordovez, with President Borja, Prince Henri of Luxembourg, and Dr. Rodrigo Crespo signing as honorary witnesses. The ceremony underscored the State’s confidence in the Foundation’s scientific and conservation work.
That long-term renewal provided critical institutional stability, enabling the Foundation to expand its programs across the archipelago—from training Ecuadorian students and researching threatened species, to invasive species control efforts such as Project Isabela, which led to the eradication of feral goats, pigs, and donkeys from the islands of Isabela, Santiago and Pinta.
Borja’s administration also marked a milestone for marine conservation. On 6 August 1992, he approved the first Management Plan for the Galápagos Marine Resource Reserve. That plan became a foundational reference for subsequent governments and laid the groundwork for the marine conservation framework that would later evolve into today’s Galápagos Marine Reserve, now recognized as one of the most significant marine protected areas in the world.
His relationship with the Charles Darwin Foundation did not end when he left office. In the mid-1990s, Borja was formally invited to become an Honorary Member of the Foundation. According to Alfredo Carrasco, CDF Board member and former Secretary General, he accepted the distinction immediately and in writing—a gesture that reflected his continued trust in the institution and his enduring commitment to the conservation of Galápagos.
The Charles Darwin Foundation extends its sincere condolences to President Borja’s family, friends, and all those who worked alongside him. We honor his memory and the role he played in strengthening the institutional foundations that continue to support conservation in Galápagos.
