Government

A record number of firearms were destroyed on Friday, January 19th, at the Police Training Academy in Belmopan City. The 900-plus illegal weapons were seized from across the country throughout the past years. The Firearm Destruction Initiative is a collaborative project between Belize's law enforcement agents, the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS), the Mine Advisory Group (MAG), and the British High Commission.

Over 40 personnel from the public and private sectors as well as development agencies came together for a three-day technical workshop to improve development financing and planning towards accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate objectives. This is being considered through the implementation of the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) approach in Belize based on national priorities and experience from other countries. The workshop was convened by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRCO) with technical leadership of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment and Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management.

On January 19, 2024, the Blue Bond and Finance Permanence Unit handed over a Toyota Hilux Vehicle and an outboard engine to the Fisheries Department. This donation is valued at BZ$130,040 as part of a larger BZ$11.7 million investment being executed in the framework of the project titled “Establishing the enabling environment for the development of a Marine Spatial Plan through strengthened governance, improved management, and enhanced monitoring of Belize’s coastal and marine resources”.

On January 7th, the Blue Bond and Finance for Permanence Unit (BBDPU) hosted a panel discussion on the two years into implementing the Belize Blue Bonds. The live-streamed event saw members of the Government and other key figures sharing information on the achievements made since the launch of "Belize Blue Bonds: Blue Finance for Nature and People" and future plans.

The surveillance and monitoring of Belize's airspace have significantly improved with the acquisition of a primary radar. The Government of Belize shared this accomplishment with the nation on Wednesday, January 17th, indicating that installing this first-ever primary surveillance radar will better monitor the Belizean skies and place the Jewel at the top with one of the most advanced systems in the region.

Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. John Briceño led a delegation to Guatemala City, Guatemala, to attend the presidential inauguration of that country's new leader, Bernardo Arevalo. The scheduled ceremony set for 2PM on Sunday, January 14th was almost overshadowed by an extended delay stemming from issues within the Congress. Arevalo was finally sworn in as the 52nd president of Guatemala minutes after midnight.

On January 11, 2024, the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries and the Ministry of Economic Development held an inauguration ceremony for the installation of 50 Pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) surveillance cameras around several parts of Belize City.

On January 11, 2024, the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise and the Corozal Free Zone (CFZ), celebrated a momentous occasion with a groundbreaking ceremony for the rehabilitation of approximately 1.6km of the Corozal Free Zone Access Road.