Government
“Know Yuh Rights” lecture series on Belize Constitution comes to San Pedro
On Wednesday, August 16th, the ‘Know Yuh Rights’ lecture series, a nationwide campaign to better understand the Belize Constitution, occurred at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium in San Pedro Town. The public event is an ongoing effort by the People’s Constitution Commission (PCC) to present a comprehensive review of the Belize Constitution, consult the population, obtain feedback, and submit a final report on the findings to the Prime Minister. At the end of the process, the National Assembly will decide if Belizeans must move to repeal or amend the current Constitution.
Government
Government weighs in on the 11th Amendment Bill; Leader of the Opposition feels attacked
During the recent sitting of the House of Representatives in the Capital City of Belmopan, the government introduced the 11th Amendment, which seeks to elevate the standard of members in the National Assembly. One feature of the bill is raising concerns with the Opposition in that it seeks to disqualify anyone from being an elected government member if convicted of a major crime and sentenced to over a year in Belize or the Commonwealth. Honorable Dr. Shyne Barrow, the Leader of the Opposition, was incarcerated in the United States for almost a decade and took this as a personal attack. The government, however, explained that it was not about Barrow’s situation but an attempt to set higher standards.
Government
Belize and El Salvador Sign General Framework Agreement to Guide Negotiation of Partial Scope Trade Agreement
Hon. Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration; and H.E. María Hayem Brevé, Minister of the Economy of El Salvador, on August 11th signed a General Framework Agreement, which commits both countries to begin negotiations of a Partial Scope Trade Agreement (PSA).
Government
People’s Constitution Commission Reviews Key Initiatives and Unveils Upcoming Events
The People's Constitution Commission (PCC) convened on August 4, 2023, to deliberate on critical matters aimed at enhancing the constitution-building process. The meeting, held in Belize City, saw active participation from esteemed commissioners, fostering productive discussions on various important subjects.
Government
Cabinet Brief for 10th August 2023
Cabinet considered and approved the joint plan from the Attorney General’s Ministry and the Ministry of E-Governance for a program to strengthen the civil registry. This will achieve a more efficient civil registry program, modernizing and improving all services of the Vital Statistics Unit through the establishment of a pertinent legal policy framework, simplified procedures and an inclusive and accessible online service.
Government
Belize Signs Technical Cooperation MOU with Singapore’s Civil Aviation Authority
Kennedy Carrillo, CEO in the Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, and Nigel Carter, Director of Civil Aviation, participated in a one-week Aviation Leaders Programme in Public Policy course at the Singapore Aviation Academy from July 31 to August 4, 2023. The course is sponsored by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.
Government
Ministry of Agriculture Holds Validation Workshop for the Draft National Agriculture and Food Policy
On August 4, 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, held a validation workshop for the draft National Agriculture and Food Policy. The event was held at Kiki Witz Resort, Belmopan. It was attended by public and private sector representatives and technical personnel from various ministries.
Government
Belize and the Republic of Korea Sign Historic Cooperation Framework Agreement
Respective delegations met in Seoul on August 1 for the negotiation of a Framework Agreement for Grant Aid between the governments of Belize and the Republic of Korea. The agreement promotes poverty reduction and the sustainable economic, trade and investment, and social development of Belize through grant aid from the Republic of Korea. It also further strengthens the collaborative relations between the two countries.