The UNESCO Office in Quito was established on 6 June 1983. At that time, it played the role of Regional Communication Officer for Latin America. Independently, there was a UNESCO representative office for Ecuador and Colombia.
In 1992, these two offices were merged into a single office under the name of Regional Communication Office for Latin America and Representation for Ecuador and Colombia. Between 1998 and 2001, the office was again merely a UNESCO Representative Office for Ecuador and Colombia. The Regional Communication Officer for Latin America, on the other hand, was relocated to Panama.
In 2001, the Regional Communication Office for Latin America reopened in Quito.