Yasuni-ITT Trust Fund Update

President Rafael Correa’s December 31, 2011 deadline for raising USD 100 million for the Yasuni-ITT Trust Fund has passed. Several contributions, including a large debt forgiveness move by Italy, have materialized, keeping the drills out of the fragile preserve, for now. Will debt forgiveness represent a successful strategy for raising the remaining funds for the multi-billion-dollar goal? What will need to occur to make the trust fund a success?

This analysis was prepared by Sierra Ramirez, Research Associate at the Council on Hemispheric Affairs.