Government
Peace Corps Celebrates 60 Years in Belize as New Volunteers Take the Oath of Service
On July 29, 2022, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Leyla Moses-Ones and Peace Corps Belize Country Director Tracey Hébert-Seck, presided over the swearing-in ceremony of the first cohort of two-year Peace Corps Volunteers to serve in Belize, two years after the COVID-19 pandemic compelled the prior group of volunteers to depart. The ceremony also marks 60 years of Peace Corps service and partnership with Belize. Joining U.S. government officials were Belize Governor General Her Excellency Froyla Tzalam and Minister of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology Hon. Francis Fonseca.
Government
United States-funded UNDP-InfoSegura Project Invests in Belize’s Future Crime Intelligence Architecture
In support of Belize’s effort to enhance its national security and strengthen inter-agency crime-data sharing, the U.S. Embassy presided over a donation that included a high-powered Dell server and three Dell workstations with high-quality monitors on July 28, 2022. This equipment will support improvements in data management by the Belize Police Department and the National Forensic Science Service. The goal is to strengthen inter-agency data sharing, through the Belize Crime Observatory— the national repository of crime data and information—so that criminal investigations can be swift, thorough, and assure justice.
Government
Belize Participates in ECLAC High-Level Meeting
The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean convened a high-level meeting to advance consideration of the ECLAC Caribbean Resilience Fund in Antigua and Barbuda, from July 26 to 29, 2022.
Environment
Signing of Formal Agreement between the Department of the Environment and the University of Belize
While the agreement is primarily focused on marine pollution from plastics, it also extends itself in allowing both parties to engage in research in thematic areas of mutual concern in promoting a healthier environment.
Government
GOB Receives First Disbursement of 2022 Bilateral Cooperation Grant from the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan)
On July 21, 2022, Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment, received a grant from H. E. David Kuan-Chou...
Government
New River Farmers’ Co-operative Society Limited (Producers Organization) to Receive Equipment
On July 28, 2022, the New River Farmers’ Co-operative Society Limited was presented with office and processing equipment, to support this initiative. This equipment will include a printer, desktop computer, refrigerator and plastic crates. This equipment, valued at BZ$8,000.00, was handed over by Hon. José Abelardo Mai – Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprises – on behalf of the Resilient Rural Belize Programme, in compliance with the first phase of the implementation process.
Government
Marijuana Referendum postponed
The referendum to legalize marijuana in Belize is deferred until further notice. In the meantime, the Government of Belize will make the necessary amendments to the Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill to еnѕurе thаt thе bіll wіll оnlу bе еnасtеd іntо lаw аftеr thе referendum. The government will also address the issue of corresponding banking relationships.
Government
Presiding Officers of the National Assembly Receive Courtesy Visits from the Ambassador of Morocco
The Ambassador of Morocco, H.E. Abdelfattah Lebbar, paid courtesy visits to Speaker Valerie Woods and President Carolyn Trench Sandiford on Monday, 25th July 2022.