Government
Statement on the Passing of Hon. Michael Espat
The Office of the Prime Minister is saddened to announce the passing of the Hon. Michael Joseph Espat, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister and Area Representative of the people of Toledo East.
Government
Fourth Belize Forensic Science Symposium Launch
The Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries via its National Forensic Science Service and the Belize Crime Observatory, in partnership with the University of Belize, launched the fourth Belize Forensic Science Symposium at the Jaguar Auditorium, University of Belize. This initiative is part of the InfoSegura Project, a citizen security regional strategic partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which has been central to enhancing the capacities of key institutions ensuring the security of Belize’s citizens over the past decade.
Government
The Blue Bond and Finance Permanence Unit Hosts the United Nations Resident Coordinator
On April 10th and 11th, the Blue Bond and Finance Permanence Unit, Office of the Prime Minister, hosted a two day mission with the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Belize and El Salvador, Mr. Raul Salazar, and his team on the Belize Blue Bonds program implementation.
Government
U.S. Embassy Partners with The Government of Belize’s Financial Intelligence Unit on Financial Investigative Technique Training
The U.S. Embassy’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau and U.S. Internal Revenue Service partnered with Belize’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to host a weeklong training on Financial Investigative Techniques at the Princess Ramada Hotel. The training was attended by members of the FIU, Office of the DPP, Belize Judiciary, Belize Customs Department, Immigration Department, Belize Tax Service Department, and the Belize Police Department’s Mobile Interdiction Team, Anti-Narcotics Unit and Criminal Investigation Branch.
Government
Field trials on the horizon for Sargassum-derived fertilizer
A multi-country mission to monitor progress with the regional Sargassum Products for Climate Resilience Project, funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has recently concluded. Representatives from the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR) met with key partners in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica in February and March 2024, to review progress and plan future activities. Based on the successful outcome of recent scientific studies and greenhouse trials for a Sargassum-derived liquid fertilizer, the partners will commence field trials within the next few weeks.
Government
Blue Economy Minister Hon. Andre Perez leads delegation at the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Greece
Belize’s Minister of Blue Economy Minister, Honourable Andre Perez, attended the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens, Greece, from April 15th through the 17th. At the high-level conference, Belize was highlighted as one of the few countries in the world, and the only one in the Caribbean, to ratify a United Nations (UN) treaty to protect the world’s oceans from overfishing and other human activities. The treaty is officially known as the Ocean Biodiversity Agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. This law emphasizes the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversities in areas beyond national jurisdiction agreements.
Government
Laboratory Information Management System Launches to Support Citizen Security in Belize
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries launched the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) as a fully functional management system for the Forensic Laboratory of the National Forensic Science Service (NFSS) to support citizen security in Belize. This is an initiative of the InfoSegura project, which helps institutions in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic in designing and implementing evidence-based citizen security policies.
Government
Gender-based and Domestic Violence Forum Raises Awareness of Support Services for Victims
The InfoSegura Regional Project, implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in alliance with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), joined the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries and the U.S. Embassy to hold a forum on gender-based and domestic violence, highlighting the services and resources available to women and girls, youth, and persons exposed to violence in Belize.
Government
Continued Heightened Surveillance and Veterinary Inspection for Animals (pets and livestock) from Listed Countries
The Belize Agricultural Health Authority reminds its partners, stakeholders, and the public that it continues to closely monitor the Zoosanitary situation of the region and, particularly, the New World Screwworm situation in Central America. Nicaragua has now declared a National Animal Health Alert due to reported cases of New World Screwworm, now raising the number to three affected countries in Central America, including Costa Rica and Panama.
Government
Amnesty Program completion date set for September 2024
Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment, Blue Economy, and Civil Aviation and Immigration, and the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour, and Local Government – April 2, 2024 - Stakeholders are reminded that the valid “white” Amnesty Program receipt issued by the Ministry of Immigration is a legal document entitling migrants to (1) remain in Belize and (2) to work in Belize until a final decision is made on their application.
Government
BEL Submits 2024-2028 Full Tariff Review Proceeding Application to the Public Utilities Commission
On March 22, 2024, Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) submitted an application to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) under the Full Tariff Review Proceeding (FTRP) for the period of September 1, 2024, to June 30, 2028.
