Government

The National Health Insurance (NHI) program marked 25 years of service with a celebration in Belize City on October 15th. The event highlighted its growth from a pilot initiative launched in 2001 to serve communities on Belize City’s southside into a national program serving hundreds of thousands of registered members.

The Ministry of the Public Service, Disaster Risk Management and Enterprise, through the National Fire Service (NFS), recognized 27 officers for their years of dedicated service during the National Fire Service Long Service Awards Ceremony held in Belize City.

Belize’s Cuban Medical Brigade remains in place while discussions over its long-term future continue. Foreign Affairs Chief Executive Officer Oscar Arnold said negotiations between Belize and the United States were nearing a resolution. Meanwhile, Cuban healthcare professionals continue serving across the country, including at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II.

The Central Building Authority (CBA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH), held a public consultation on the 2024 Belize Building Codes at the Watermark Hotel in San Pedro Town on October 9th.

Belize’s Minister of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, Honorable Andre Perez, has called for stronger regional cooperation to support fisherfolk and promote sustainable fishing practices across the Caribbean. Speaking during the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture, held in Jamaica from September 27 to October 2, Perez stressed that the region must do more for those whose livelihoods depend on marine resources.

The Government of Belize has rejected sanctions imposed by the People’s Republic of China against Foreign Affairs Minister Honorable Francis Fonseca, stating that the measures will not change Belize’s foreign policy or its diplomatic relationship with the Republic of China (Taiwan).

The Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs, the Ministry of Health & Wellness, and the Office of the Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children, in partnership with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), convened a National Preparatory Session: A National Dialogue on Ending Violence Against Children on Thursday, 8 October 2026, at the Belize Biltmore Plaza. The session brought together government representatives, civil society organizations, development partners, technical experts, children, and young people to help shape Belize’s commitments ahead of the Second Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, scheduled for 18–19 November 2026 in Manila, Philippines.

The Government of Belize has proposed amendments to the Immigration Act to establish an investor residency program and introduce temporary employment visas for selected industries. Immigration and Labor Minister Kareem Musa introduced the Immigration Amendment Bill, 2026, and the Belizean Nationality Amendment Bill, 2026, on October 2nd, saying the measures would attract investment and address labor shortages.