Government
Belize plans to take Honduras to the ICJ over the Sapodilla Caye region dispute
The territorial dispute between Belize and Guatemala may not be the only one Belizeans face. A claim to parts of Belize’s southern islands and waters may be brought up by Honduras. Therefore, the Government of Belize plans to take Honduras to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The area in dispute is the Sapodilla Caye range, located in the southernmost group of islands/cayes in Belize’s waters.
Government
New system for e-passports coming soon to San Pedro
On Monday, October 24th, the Government of Belize launched a new system designed for the country’s new e-passports. The system, which will enable online applications, is known as Electronic Passport Issuance and Control System (EPICS) and will include data capture sites across the country, including San Pedro Town, to assist applicants. That data capture, however, is not yet operating on the island. According to immigration officials, any islander who may need a new passport and wants to access the new system will need to travel to the mainland until the new system is available in San Pedro.
Government
GOB launches electronic passport system
On Monday, October 24th, the Government of Belize (GOB), through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration, launched the Electronic Passport Issuance and Control System (EPICS) and E-Passports. This upgrade in the immigration department is to end required visits to the main offices in Belmopan, where applicants often stand in line for hours. The system will also address the issue of backlogs delaying the issuance of passports. The new passport application process is moving almost entirely online, requiring one visit to the data capture site and another to the issuance center to pick up the passport.
Government
United States Donates Military Trucks to the Belize Defence Force to Support its Countrywide Security Operations
As part of the broader U.S.-Belize security cooperation that promotes both national and regional peace and stability, the U.S. Embassy donated five military trucks to the Belize Defence Force (BDF). The vehicles are a donation through the United States Foreign Military Financing program, a U.S. Department of Defense tool that enables partner countries to improve defense capabilities and contribute toward common security goals.
Government
European Union and CARIFORUM Ministers Launch New Partnerships under the Global Gateway Program
Hon. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology, alongside Ms. Orla Kantun Coleman, Director of International Affairs Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented Belize at the Joint Ministerial Meeting and Launch of the Caribbean-EU Partnerships in Barbados on October 12, 2022.
Government
Foreign Minister Bids Farewell to Qatar’s Outgoing Chargé D’affaires
Hon. Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration, bid farewell to Mr. Tariq Al-Othman, Chargé d'affaires at the Embassy of Qatar in El Salvador, accredited to Belize.
Government
Official Launch of Belize’s Marine Spatial Planning Process
The Government of Belize, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, launched the Marine Spatial Planning process on October 19th, 2022. The launch of this planning process marks a milestone accomplishment under the Blue Loan Agreement and the Conservation Funding Agreement signed last November 2021 between the Government of Belize and TNC. These agreements underpin the country’s trailblazing debt conversion for marine conservation.
Government
Ministry of Agriculture Receives Nucleic Acid Analyzer
On October 20, 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise received a donation of a POCKIT Central Nucleic Acid Analyzer Machine. The machine was donated by GeneReach Biotechnology Corporation, a Taiwanese company dedicated to bringing innovation to global health management.