Government
Government of Belize and the Millennium Challenge Corporation Sign Grant Agreement for Compact Development Funding
The Government of Belize and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government agency, signed a Compact Development Funding Grant Agreement on March 1st, 2023. Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño signed on behalf of the Government of Belize and Jonathan Brooks, Deputy Vice President of Europe, Asia, Pacific, and Latin America, signed for MCC. U.S. Ambassador Michelle Kwan and Ministry of Economic Development CEO Dr Osmond Martinez also attended the signing ceremony.
Government
Government introduces new SI featuring amendments to EIAs
The government has announced changes in vetting developments needing environmental clearances. As per a release from the Department of the Environment (DOE), an amendment to the existing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations has changed, as noted in the newly created Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 23 of 2023. The DOE said this amendment ensures the utmost transparency and accountability to the general populace across Belize.
Government
United States Donates Cessna Caravan Aircraft to the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security
The Government of the United States donated a Cessna Caravan 208 aircraft to the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security at a handover ceremony on March 1, 2023 at the Williamson Hanger Complex in Ladyville. The aircraft was donated by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) through the United States Foreign Military Financing program.
Government
USAID-Funded InfoSegura Project Supports Citizen Security in Belize through the Judiciary
Continuing U.S. government efforts to support improvements in Belize’s citizen security, U.S. Embassy Acting International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Coordinator Mary Walz and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Belize Deputy Resident Representative Ian King donated eight laptops to Chief Justice Louise Blenman and Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser.
Government
U.S. Government and UN Agencies Support Mobile Amnesty Hubs in Belize
The Government of the United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and UNICEF, supports Mobile Amnesty Hubs, which provide asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants with access to all services required to apply for the Amnesty Program. This initiative has assisted over 6,000 asylum seekers and migrants, who seek a pathway to regularize their immigration status in Belize.
Government
Peace Corps Belize signs MOU with Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Transport
On February 21st, 2023, Peace Corps/Belize and the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Transport signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on a national priority area of youth development in Belize. Peace Corps Volunteers will work alongside Belizean counterparts to implement the project activities. The goal of the project is to help Belizean youth lead healthy and empowered lives to realize their full potential into adulthood. The project activities will focus on physical education and sports development through the National Primary School Sports Program of the National Sports Council.
Government
Minister of Agriculture Assumes Pro Tempore Presidency of SICA-CAC
February 22, 2023, Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, met virtually with the Council of Ministers of Agriculture of the Central American Integration System (CAC) to discuss the work agenda set for the first semester of 2023.
Government
Ministry of Public Service Engages with Transparency International on Corruption Perception Index
Since 2008, Belize has not been listed or ranked in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index and has fallen short of active pursuit of the preparation to implement the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the Organization of American States Anti-Corruption Convention. Recognizing this, Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño tasked the Ministry of Public Service, Constitutional & Political Reform and Religious Affairs, through its Good Governance Unit, with the mandate of bringing Belize up to readiness to implement anti-corruption measures, both nationally and internationally.