Government of Belize

The Government of Belize and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government agency, signed a five-year US$125 million Grant Agreement for investment in education and energy in Belize. Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño signed on behalf of the Government of Belize, and CEO Mrs. Alice Albright signed for MCC.

From August 30th through the 31st, San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, hosted the third High-Level Meeting of the Regional Climate Change Platform of Economy and Finance Ministries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Hosted by the Government of Belize in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the two-day event saw delegations from various countries. The ministerial meeting ended with a powerful demonstration of unity as the participating countries adopted a regional vision for sustainable finance. This collective effort aims to boost sustainable finance and promote effective investments, reinforcing the shared responsibility of the participating countries in meeting their climate commitments.

On August 30th and 31st, during the Third High-Level Dialogue of the Regional Climate Change Platform of Finance and Economy Ministries in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Government of Belize signed a funding agreement. This agreement aims to improve the country’s healthcare services and urban infrastructure, including San Pedro’s San Mateo Subdivision, which will benefit from upgrades to its street network, sewage and drainage infrastructure, public parks, and other essential services.

The Government of Belize, in its commitment to strengthening the monitoring and enforcement of Belize's ocean space and the conservation and sustainable use of its associated resources under the Blue Bond Program, launched the Belize Coast Guard Drone Squadron. This new squadron will bolster the Belize Coast Guard's capabilities by supporting a second fleet in national enforcement involving modern technology to realize effective surveillance and protection of the Blue Space.

Thursday, 29th August 2024, The Human Trafficking Institute (HTI) in partnership with the Anti-Trafficking in Persons (ATIPs) Council, of the Government of Belize, hosted a Trafficking in Persons Leadership Summit. This initiative is part of a CARSI grant project entitled “A TIPPING POINT 2.0" awarded to HTI in September 2022. The Summit intended to strengthen best practices in Belize’s Anti-Trafficking efforts, and support collaboration and coordination across government ministries and departments. It was designed to allow for reflection on global best practices, as well as common pitfalls in responding to human trafficking.

After receiving public and media criticism, the Government of Belize issued an official statement on Monday, August 26th, to address concerns about purchasing two parcels of land valued at $6.9 million for a new hospital in Belmopan City. During a press conference, the Ministry of Health and Wellness clarified that the hospital's location would be changed from the originally planned site, which the University of Belize offered for free, to a new location next to the Hector Silva Air Strip. The decision was made because the government found the University of Belize's land offer inadequate.

On Wednesday, August 21st, the Belize Fisheries Department led a consultation session in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, on expanding biodiversity protection zones. The area identified on Ambergris Caye is at the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve, located off the island's northern part. Expanding the protected waters at Bacalar Chico will not affect those currently using the area, including tour guides, tour operators, fishermen, and other relevant stakeholders. The exercise is part of the Government of Belize's commitment to the Blue Bonds campaign that calls for expanding biodiversity protection zones to 25% of the country's sea (ocean) by November 2024. Bacalar Chico is a small part of this percentage that must be achieved by the deadline later this year.

From August 12th through the 14th, experts and government representatives from Benin, Burundi, Fiji, Haiti, Grenada, Madagascar, Nepal, South Sudan, Suriname, and Belize convened in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye for a global forum on climate change. The forum aimed to share experiences on strengthening the alignment between National Adaptation Plans (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). The NAP Global Network and the Government of Belize co-organized the event. Experts and government representatives from Switzerland and Canada collaborated to identify concrete actions for the issues affecting countries worldwide.