Government
Government of Belize and UNICEF Launch State of the World’s Children 2023
UNICEF Belize in partnership with the Ministry of Health & Wellness held a ceremony on June 19 to launch the State of the World’s Children 2023: For Every Child, Vaccination, and handover critical cold chain equipment to strengthen primary health care in Belize. The State of the World’s Children 2023 is UNICEF’s flagship report and was first launched globally in April of this year. The 2023 edition is the first edition of the report solely dedicated to routine immunization. It sounds the alarm that there is a growing global immunization crisis resulting in 67 million children missing out on vaccinations between 2019 and 2021, with vaccination coverage levels decreasing in 112 countries.
Government
Belize Discusses Finance for Development at CDB’s 53rd Annual Meeting of Board of Governors
Dr. Osmond Martinez, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Economic Development, and Mr. Valentino Shal, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour, and Local Government, represented Belize at the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) 53rd Annual Meeting of its Board of Governors in St. Lucia. The CEOs represented Belize as Temporary Alternate Governor and Temporary Alternate Director, respectively. The annual meeting is being held under the theme, “Marshalling Finance for Development: Access to Adequate, Affordable Financing.”
Government
The National Meteorological Service of Belize Engages in the Readiness Phase of the Systematic Observations Financing Facility
Belize, through the National Meteorological Service (NMS) within the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, has been selected as one of the first countries globally to benefit from the World Meteorological Organization's (WMOs) Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF).
Environment
Oceana delivers petitions to Governor General office to initiate referendum against offshore oil exploration
On Thursday, June 22nd, Oceana Belize visited the office of the Governor General Her Excellency Dame Froyla Tzalam, to deliver signed petitions from registered Belizean voters to trigger a referendum on offshore oil drilling in Belize waters. Oceana said the number of petitions delivered exceeds the legally required 10% of the electorate. The non-profit organization believes that Belizeans should be consulted and decide if the current offshore oil and natural gas moratorium passed as law in December 2017 should ever be lifted.
Government
Coastal Zone and Fisheries Sector conduct Inclusive Consultations for National Adaptation Plan
Consultations for the development of a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for the Coastal Zone Areas of Belize and Belize Fisheries Sector have commenced, the first on June 20, 2023, in Dangriga Town and other sessions earmarked for June 22-23, 2023, in Belize City.
Government
Belize Files for Advisory Opinion to UNCLOS
The Advisory Opinion sought from ITLOS aims to allow states and international organizations to seek non-binding legal advice on issues related to the interpretation and application of UNCLOS, providing an important avenue for promoting cooperation in the maritime domain. This legal mechanism will help Belize navigate the complex intersection of environmental protection, sustainable development, and international law. The Advisory Opinion will provide Belize with adequate support to make informed decisions and implement effective policies to safeguard the health of its marine resources under international law and ensure a sustainable future for its people.
Government
MoHW Strengthens Regulatory Functions
The Ministry of Health & Wellness (MoHW) has strengthened its regulatory functions countrywide with an increase in inspections of businesses, pharmacies, food establishments, and hotels in every district.
Government
Belize Deposits Instrument of Acceptance for WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
On June 16, 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration through H.E. Dr. Gianni Avila, submitted Belize's instrument of acceptance of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, making Belize the first Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Central American Integration System (SICA) country to take this significant step towards sustainable fisheries practices at the multilateral level.