Government
Prime Minister Briceño Meets with UN Secretary-General
Hon. John Briceño, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment, met with H.E. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations. The Secretary-General welcomed the Prime Minister and expressed the UN’s commitment to continue assisting Belize. He commended Belize’s leadership within CARICOM and congratulated Belize for being elected to the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
Community and Society
Formation of National Special Needs and Disability Committee
Recognizing the need to bridge a critical gap in its national emergency system, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), on behalf of the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, and the Ministry of Health & Wellness, met on Friday, June 25, 2021, in the Belize City Council Caucus Room and formed NEMO's 15th National Committee, the National Special Needs and Disability Committee (NSNDAC).
Government
Matching Grant Fund Agreement – Signing Ceremony
The Government of Belize (GOB), with financing of BZ$40 Million from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), has embarked on a six-year Programme, Resilient Rural Belize (RRB), which aims to minimize the impacts of climatic and economic events on small farmers while supporting sustainable market access for their produce.
Government
Belize Participates in the 42nd CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting
Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño headed the Belize delegation to the 42nd Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) from July 5 to 6, 2021.
Government
Three villages in the Toledo District placed on lockdown after an increase in COVID-19 cases
Due to the alarming spike in COVID-19 cases in three rural communities in the Toledo District of southern Belize, the government implemented a lockdown for the villages of Conejo, Midway, and Barranco for the next two weeks. The lockdown started on Friday, July 2nd, and a curfew from 8PM to 4:59AM will be enforced. During these two weeks, the government will assist the villagers.
Business & Economy
Second Cattle Export Activity Held at Shipyard
A brief ceremony was held in Shipyard to mark the exportation of 359 heads of cattle from Shipyard and 85 from Blue Creek with a final destination of Michoacan, Mexico. The heads of cattle have been purchased by SuKarne, a Mexican multinational corporation based in Culiacán, Mexico, which operates in the food processing industry. SuKarne annually exports the largest percentage of beef, pork, and chicken from Mexico.
Community and Society
New COVID-19 variant detected in Belize; government introduces new regulations
The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) confirmed on Wednesday, June 30th, that a variant of the COVID-19 virus had been detected in Belize. Several samples have been sent to Baylor University in Texas, USA, to conduct gene sequencing and determine which variant is in the country. New measures to contain the sharp increase in infections were also announced and will go into effect on Sunday, July 4th.
Government
The Child Development Foundation (CDF) Launches Family Toolkit with Support from the Spotlight Initiative
The Child Development Foundation (CDF) launched a Family Violence Prevention Toolkit at the George Price Center for Peace and Development in Belmopan City to continue their support to faith-based, civil society, and community leaders to work with families in addressing the root causes of family violence. Leaders were supported through workshops training sessions that address cultural and gender norms which, in turn, support the root causes of family violence in their communities and organizations. Consequently, leaders who take part in training, are better equipped to promote gender equality and family violence in the communities they serve.