Government
Governor General Receives Credentials from New Ambassadors
Governor General H.E. Froyla Tzalam received the Letters of Credence of four new ambassadors to Belize at a virtual ceremony held on February 22, 2022.
Community and Society
Launch of the Joint Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Programme
Hon. Florencio Marin, Jr., Minister of National Defence and Border Security, and Hon. Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries, in conjunction with the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative, launched the Joint Sexual Violence Prevention and Response (JSVPR) Programme for the security forces. The launch of the JSVPR was held at the Belize Biltmore Plaza in Belize City on 17 February 2022 and will support the Belize Police Department, the Belize Defence Force, and the Belize Coast Guard.
Government
𝗖𝗘𝗢 𝗕𝗮𝗲𝘇𝗮 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗦𝗜𝗖𝗔-𝗖𝗔𝗖/𝗖𝗖𝗔𝗗 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗮
CEO Servulo Baeza attended meetings in Panama, including the first ordinary meeting of 2022 of the Consejo Agropecuario Centroamericano (CAC), or Central American Agricultural Council, in Panama. The meeting features presentations on the present state of agricultural trade in Central America; regional policies for micro, small and medium enterprise development; presentations from IICA, the Inter American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture; regional advances in biotechnology; approval of the sub-regional plan for Peasant, Indigenous and Afro-descendant Family Farming in the Region; as well as messages from the regional FAO director.
Government
CDB Delegation Concludes Inaugural Visit to Belize
The inaugural visit of Dr. Gene Leon, President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and his delegation to Belize included discussions with the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Central Bank of Belize, engagement with private sector entities including the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Citrus Growers Association, and meetings with entities executing projects with CDB support.
Conservation
DOE details amendment to plastic pollution regulations
Through the Department of the Environment (DOE) within the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Management, the government continues its efforts to fully implement the regulations that will see the end of pollution from plastics in Belize. On Monday, February 14th, the DOE informed the public about the amendment to the Environmental Protection (Pollution from Plastics) Regulations providing details on these changes, including a new phase-out process on single-use plastic products and strict deadlines.
Government
Official Visit of the President of the Caribbean Development Bank
The inaugural visit of Dr. Hyginus “Gene” Leon, President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), to Belize kicked off on February 7, 2022, with a meeting at the Central Bank of Belize.
Community and Society
Former Prime Minister Sir Manuel Esquivel passes away
On Thursday, February, 10th, Belize received the sad news of the passing of former Prime Minister Right Honourable Sir Manuel Esquivel KCMG PC. The 81-year-old former two-time head of government under the United Democratic Party (UDP), 1984-1989 and 1993-1998, reportedly died at a local health care centre in Belize City around 4:30PM, after being ill for some time. A memorial service in his honour will take place in the upcoming days.
Government
The 13th Senator Osmany Salas announces departure from the Senate
On Wednesday, February 9th, the senator representing the Non-governmental Organizations, Osmany Salas, announced his departure from the Senate effective at the end of the month. Salas said he is taking a post with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as the lead, Belize Project Finance for Permanence (PFP), for a period of three years.