Government
Prime Minister hands over Mortuary Transport Vehicles to Ministry of Home Affairs
On November 21, Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño handed over two mortuary transport vehicles to the Ministry of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries. Hon. Kareem Musa received the donation, valuing BZ$490,000.00, on behalf of his ministry.
Government
Ministry of Labour commemorates Child Labour Campaign closing cermemony
On November 23rd, 2023, the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour, and Local Government commemorated its Child Labour Campaign Closing Ceremony at the Biltmore Plaza Hotel, River Hall Room, Belize City, under the theme, “Eliminating Child Labour in Belize!”
Government
ICJ elects five new judges
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) elected five new judges on November 9th after a round of votes held by the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations (UN). The voting is via secret ballot. The Government of Belize paid keen attention to the judges elected as the territorial claim by Guatemala over the Jewel will be settled at the ICJ, with the case's first oral hearings expected for the summer of 2024.
Government
Israel says there will be repercussions for Belize for ending diplomatic relations
Belize made international headlines on Tuesday, November 14th, when it announced the suspension of diplomatic relations with Israel over the ongoing military conflict in the Gaza Strip. As a result, Israel condemned the Belizean government's decision and stated that there could be consequences for the Jewel in terms of Israeli tourism and even potential investment from Jewish-American investors. The Israeli government also noted that other friendly countries to Israel, like the United States of America, may not take this decision well and further increase the repercussions for Belize.
Government
U.S. Embassy Partners with The Government of Belize’s Financial Intelligence Unit to Host Sensitization Sessions on Civil Asset Recovery and Unexplained Wealth Act
The U.S. Embassy’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) Director Heath Bailey joined Financial Secretary Joseph Waight, Director of FIU Ms. Leni Ysaguirre McGann, and Mr. Alexander Ferguson from Gentium UK to offer remarks at the start of Belize’s Sensitization Session on Civil Asset Recovery and Unexplained Wealth Act at the Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza. The session is a weeklong workshop hosted by the Government of Belize and the U.S. Embassy’s INL Unit.
Government
Belize Participates in WIPO Heads and Ministerial Meetings on Intellectual Property for Caribbean Countries
Belize was represented at the Regional Meeting of Heads of Intellectual Property (IP) Offices of Caribbean Countries and the Ministerial Meeting on IP for Caribbean Countries held in St. Kitts and Nevis from November 2 to 6, 2023. Hon. Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, and Ms. Kay King, Deputy Registrar of the Belize Intellectual Property Office (BELIPO), attended the meetings which were held under the theme, “Intellectual Property (IP): Innovation to Prosperity”.
Government
Belize and the Republic of China (Taiwan) Sign Grant Agreement Phase II: Low-Income Housing Program
The Government of Belize, by virtue of its close friendship and strong collaboration with the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), graciously accepted a grant donation in the amount of US$1,425,000 that will be used to launch Phase II of the Low-Income Housing Program. This funding will be used to finance the construction of approximately 50 studio houses, which is expected to improve the living conditions of approximately 250 beneficiaries.
Government
Belize takes measures against Israeli government; suspends diplomatic mission in Israel
As the military conflict in the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory bordering Israel, continues with the escalating attacks by the Israel Defence Force, Belize joined other countries in halting diplomatic missions with the country. On Tuesday, November 14th, the Government of Belize (GOB) denounced the conflict that has reportedly left over 11,000 dead in the Gaza Strip. GOB's stance is that Israel is violating international law, international humanitarian law, and the human rights of Gazans.