Inter-American Development Bank

On January 30, the Government of Belize, led by the Ministry of Economic Development in collaboration with the Blue Bond and Finance Permanence Unit and the Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute, partnered with Stanford University’s Natural Capital Project (NatCap) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to convene a workshop titled "Monitoring Progress Toward a Prosperous, Sustainable Future."

On January 12, 2024, the pro-tempore Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Committee (STIAC) was established in Belmopan. Its purpose is to guide the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MoECST) in the development of Belize’s first National Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy (2024-2034). The world has entered the Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by robotics, big data, artificial intelligence, and automation. The strategy aims to prepare and move Belize into this new era with the goal of attaining sustainable human development.

Adele Catzim-Sanchez, CEO of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Transport, represented Belize at a Regional Policy Dialogue titled "Public Policies and Investments for Transport Decarbonization,” hosted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) from November 29 to 30 in Washington, D.C.

The National Hydrological Service (NHS) in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum, and Mining hosted a four-day capacity building workshop on groundwater management and well drilling. The training was held from August 29 to September 1, 2023, in the City of Belmopan. The training was funded through the Inter-American Development Bank’s technical Cooperation Grant, which aims to support integrated water resources management in Belize.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a $7 million loan to Belize to help it sustainably expand its blue economy. The program’s overall objectives are to increase the earning potential of artisanal fishers and keep fishery exports high while promoting sustainable use of the country's commercial marine resources.

A comprehensive multi-sector and multi-scale diagnosis of the sustainable development of Ambergris Caye, particularly the northern part of the island, is being developed by the international company IDOM Consulting, Engineering, Architecture SAU with the partnership of the Inter-American Development Bank. This project seeks to develop an action and zoning plan for the balanced development of the island, considering the vulnerability to natural resources and the safest way to continue growing without affecting Ambergris Caye's carrying capacity. The analysis presents the current conditions of San Pedro and recommends a sustainable plan spanning to 2045 to have the most negligible impact on the natural resources sustaining the island's economy.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved two complementary programs to enhance the quality of water services in rural and peri-urban areas of Belize. The two operations, totaling $10.64 million, will bring safe drinking water to over 20,000 households in 44 rural communities in the country's six districts and nearly 400 households in peri-urban areas. Program beneficiaries include vulnerable populations such as migrants and Indigenous people.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) have teamed up to transform education in Latin America and the Caribbean. As part of this initiative, the two institutions have approved a total of $20 million in financing to support the Skills for the Future Program in Belize. The program will accelerate foundational learning, bridge the skills gap, prepare students for a changing job market, close gender gaps, and promote inclusive education.