Government
Belize hosts the 33rd Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conferences of Heads of Government of CARICOM on Ambergris Caye
Belize is hosting the 33rd Inter-sessional meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in northern Ambergris Caye as part of its chairmanship. On Tuesday, March 1st, Prime Minister Honourable John Briceno officially opened the summit, which will end on Thursday, March 3rd, with the joint session with the Central American Integration or SICA leaders. The discussions will range from climate change, COVID-19, regional security, and the CARICOM Single Market and Economic advancement. The Russia-Ukraine conflict will also be discussed.
Business & Economy
Government to discontinue 10% salary cut for public officers
Public officers across the country are welcoming the news from the government that they will be receiving back the 10% of their salaries that had been taken away from them by the new administration in the new fiscal year. When the current government headed by Prime Minister John Briceno took office in 2020, they found it necessary to apply the salary cut to help build back the national economy devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although public officers rejected the pay cut, they endured the salary reduction for months. According to PM Briceno, as of July 1st, all public servants will receive their full wage.
Government
SPTC sets traffic regulations on Pescador Drive while CARICOM/ SICA Summit held in Ambergris Caye
This week, island residents transiting through downtown San Pedro will have to abide by certain restrictions due to the 33rd Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) on March 1st and 2nd. On Thursday, March 3rd, there will be a one-day summit with government leaders from the Central American Integration System (SICA). The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Gutierrez, will also be present.
Government
Commitment to Establish a Women Parliamentarians Caucus
The women parliamentarians of the National Assembly convened a meeting earlier this week to discuss the establishment of the Belize Women Parliamentarians Caucus.
Government
Redistricting process begins; What’s in it for Belize Rural South?
The process for possible redistricting in Belize has started and is to conclude before the end of 2023. A task force appointed by the Elections and Boundaries Commission will submit its recommendations to Parliament, potentially bringing changes to the different constituencies. San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, and Caye Caulker are under the third largest electoral division - Belize Rural South (BRS). As per local authorities, redistricting could bring changes. Still, it's too early to know how this exercise could modify the islands' constituency.
Government
Minister of Public Utilities Leads Official Delegation of Belize Port Authority Officials to Jamaica
Hon. Michel Chebat, Minister of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics and E-governance, is leading an official delegation of Belize Port Authority officials to Jamaica. During the five-day visit, the delegation will meet with the Ministry of Transport & Mining, Maritime Authority of Jamaica (Admiral Peter Brady, Director General), Port Authority of Jamaica (Professor Gordon Shirley, President) and Caribbean Maritime University (Professor Evan Duggan, President).
Government
Statement by the Government of Belize on the Illegal Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Belize roundly condemns Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
Government
Belize and the European Union Adopt a Multi-annual Indicative Programme
Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño and H.E. Marianne Van Steen, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Belize, have acknowledged the EU’s decision to allocate a first amount of funds in the amount of EUR17 million (BZ$38.6 million) for the Belize Multi-annual Indicative Programme (MIP) for the period 2021 to 2027. The programme is designed to advance the activities of the Gove