Government of Belize Press Office

PRESS RELEASE

Belize Marks 52 Years in CARICOM with Youth-Focused Panel Discussion

Belmopan, May 12, 2026.

As part of the annual CARICOM Week activities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade hosted a panel discussion on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, under the theme, "Your Future, Your Region."

The event took place at the Ministry’s headquarters in Belmopan, bringing together students, young professionals, and educators from secondary and tertiary institutions for an engaging discussion on the opportunities CARICOM creates for Belizeans.

The panel discussion, titled "Building Skills, Expanding Access, and Contributing to Belize: What CARICOM Means for You," explored how regional integration continues to support education, skills development, entrepreneurship, professional mobility, and regional collaboration across the Caribbean.

Delivering the welcome remarks, Hon. Marconi Leal Jr., Minister of State for Foreign Trade, reflected on Belize’s longstanding commitment to regional cooperation since joining CARICOM in 1974. He emphasized that CARICOM is not only about institutions and agreements, but about people and the opportunities created through collective regional development.

Addressing the young audience in attendance, Minister Leal encouraged participants to view themselves as active contributors to Belize’s future and the advancement of the wider Caribbean region.

The discussion featured an accomplished panel of professionals whose careers reflect the impact of regional engagement and leadership. Panelists shared personal experiences, insights on professional growth, and perspectives on how young Belizeans can take advantage of opportunities available through CARICOM while contributing meaningfully to national development.

The event also highlighted the importance of preparing Belize’s youth to compete and succeed in an increasingly interconnected region and global economy. Participants were encouraged to engage actively, ask questions, and explore the many pathways available through regional cooperation.

The Ministry expressed appreciation to the moderators, panelists, participating institutions, and attendees for contributing to a meaningful and forward-looking dialogue during CARICOM Week 2026.

As Belize continues to strengthen its role within CARICOM, the event reinforced the value of regional unity, shared opportunity, and youth empowerment in shaping the future of both Belize and the Caribbean community.

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Belize Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
Directorate General for Foreign Trade, Belize

Press Release

Ministry of the Public Service and Disaster Risk Management Extends Condolences to Fire Chief Colin Gillett and Family

The Ministry of the Public Service and Disaster Risk Management extends sincere condolences to Fire Chief Mr. Colin Gillett, the National Fire Service, and the Gillett and Segura families on the passing of Mrs. Agnes Segura Gillett.

Mrs. Gillett’s passing is a tremendous loss to her family, friends, and everyone who knew and loved her. During this difficult time, the Ministry joins Fire Chief Gillett and his family in mourning as they grieve the loss of a devoted wife, mother, and loved one.

On behalf of the Ministry of the Public Service and Disaster Risk Management, heartfelt sympathies are extended to the Gillett family. May they find comfort, strength, and peace in the support of those around them and in the memories they shared with Mrs. Gillett.

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The Ministry of Public Service & Disaster Risk Management

Flood Forecast | May 12, 2026

Belize National Hydrological Service

PUBLIC NOTICE

May 12, 2026

REMOVAL OF ROADSIDE SIGNS AND MEMORIALS

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing informs the general public that works from Belize City to Hattieville under the George Price Highway Upgrading Project are actively progressing.

The public is advised that business signs and roadside memorials located within the road reserve, including crosses and other commemorative markers, will need to be removed. We recognize the personal significance of these memorials and are committed to handling this process with the utmost respect and sensitivity.

Removals must be completed by June 12, 2026, in preparation for construction works.

Following the completion of the project, interested parties must reapply to the MIDH for the re-installation of private signs within the road reserve.

The Ministry sincerely appreciates the understanding and cooperation of the public as we work to improve the safety and quality of our highways.

For further information on the project, please contact the Project Ex*****on Unit at 614-3195.

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Ministry of Infrastructure Development & Housing

PRESS RELEASE

Minister Usher Meets with NEMO Staff to Review National Hurricane Season Preparedness

Belmopan, May 11, 2026.

Hon. Henry Charles Usher, Minister of the Public Service and Disaster Risk Management, today visited the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) headquarters in Belmopan, where he met with the National Emergency Coordinator, Mr. Daniel Mendez, and members of NEMO’s technical staff to discuss the organization’s state of readiness ahead of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

During the meeting, NEMO officials provided the Minister with an overview of the organization’s ongoing preparedness activities, response planning, and operational priorities as Belize approaches the start of the hurricane season on June 1. Discussions focused on strengthening coordination mechanisms, reviewing emergency response procedures, and ensuring that the necessary systems and resources are in place to respond effectively in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane impact.

The Minister was also briefed on the work currently being carried out across the country to enhance national preparedness and resilience. Over the coming weeks, NEMO will continue the review and updating of the national hurricane shelter list in collaboration with local authorities and partner agencies. The Shelter Repair Committee is also expected to convene to assess the condition of designated shelters and identify any repairs or upgrades required prior to the peak of the hurricane season. In addition, assessments of available emergency resources, equipment, and supplies will be conducted to ensure operational readiness at both the national and district levels.

Minister Usher emphasized the importance of preparedness, coordination, and public awareness in reducing the impact of natural hazards on communities across Belize. He commended the NEMO team for its dedication and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting disaster risk management initiatives and strengthening the country’s ability to respond to emergencies.

The Ministry of the Public Service and Disaster Risk Management and NEMO continue to encourage the public to remain informed, review family emergency plans, and begin making the necessary preparations for the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

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The Ministry of Public Service & Disaster Risk Management
National Emergency Management Organization-NEMO

Flood Forecast | May 11, 2026

Belize National Hydrological Service

NOTICE:

SI No. 49 of 2026 Belize Constitution

A PROCLAMATION DECLARING A STATE OF PUBLIC EMERGENCY IN THE SOUTHSIDE AND NORTH SIDE OF BELIZE CITY AND CERTAIN PARTS OF THE BELIZE DISTRICT

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

Government of Belize Joins Fragments of Hope and Global Partners in International Coral Population Management Workshop

Belmopan, Belize, May 7, 2026.

The Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation (MBEMC), the Belize Fisheries Department, and the Blue Bond and Finance Permanence Unit (BBFPU) in the Office of the Prime Minister, participated in a high level scientific workshop under the COR POP (Building the tools for scientific management of critically endangered coral species in Belize) project, focused on building innovative tools for the science based population management of critically endangered coral species. This project is funded by the G20 initiative Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform (CORDAP), the only international organization fully dedicated to funding global research and development for both tropical and cold-water coral conservation and restoration.

Fragments of Hope hosted the workshop. It convened an international consortium of project partners, including the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Miami, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Boston University, Tufts University, Species360, and the Bay Islands Conservation Association. The collaboration brings together experts from four countries with specialized expertise in coral genetics, population management, coral reef restoration, statistical modelling, photogrammetric modelling, and data science.

The workshop also welcomed attendees and collaborators from the University of Belize, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and UC San Diego, further expanding knowledge exchange, perspectives, and regional collaboration throughout the week.

This initiative directly supports Belize’s national coral reef restoration and conservation priorities by advancing the development of a user-friendly, science-based population management pipeline for corals. The project aims to enable informed, data-driven decision-making for the management of critically endangered coral species, with a strong emphasis on promoting genetic diversity, climate resilience, and long-term ecosystem survival.

A key outcome of the COR POP project is the creation of a scalable, open source population management pipeline designed specifically to be accessible to low resource coral management and restoration practitioners. By lowering technical and financial barriers, the tools developed under this initiative are intended to serve not only Belize, but also as a model that can be adapted and replicated in other coral reef programs regionally and globally.

The MBEMC’s participation underscores the Government’s commitment to integrating cutting‑edge science into national marine conservation and restoration efforts. The involvement of the BBFPU also reflects the alignment of scientific innovation with Belize’s long‑term sustainable financing and ocean governance frameworks.

About CORDAP
The G20 Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform (CORDAP) was launched in 2020 by the G20 to fast-track research and development (R&D) solutions to save the world’s corals. Based at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, CORDAP brings together the best minds worldwide, in a transdisciplinary approach, to accelerate international research and development to supply the technologies and innovations required to secure a future for corals and reefs.

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For more information, contact:

Ministry of Blue Economy & Marine Conservation
Phone: +501 223-2768
Email: [email protected]

Fragments of Hope
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://lnkd.in/e9uGsac6

Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation