Belmopan, October 2, 2025.
The Cabinet met on 30th September 2025.
- Cabinet applauded the report from the Foreign Minister that Belize was elected to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) at its meeting, which was held on 30th September in Montreal, Canada. Belize is one of 36 of the 193 member states to serve on the ICAO Council for the next three years. The Council is the governing body responsible for Secretariat oversight, and for the ongoing diplomatic and technical decision-making through ICAO while the Assembly is not in session. Belize will be represented on the Council by Kennedy Carrillo, the former CEO in the Ministry of the Blue Economy and Civil Aviation.
- The Minister of the Public Service, Governance and Disaster Risk Management, Hon. Henry Charles Usher, updated Cabinet on the recent flooding situation in the Toledo District, where 108 persons were moved into shelters as a result of flooding. Minister Usher indicated that while the flood waters in the south had subsided, which allowed for those in shelters to return home, NEMO is paying close attention to the water levels and is prepared to act should any threat of flooding arise.
- The Minister of the Public Service, Governance and Disaster Risk Management, Hon. Henry Charles Usher, informed Cabinet that the Elections and Boundaries Department has carried out all necessary procedures for the conduct of the Referendum on the island of Caye Caulker scheduled for Wednesday, 8th October 2025. In the referendum, registered voters will voice their opinion on whether the Government of Belize should pass legislation to create a responsible, regulated, and taxable legal cannabis industry on the island of Caye Caulker, with a portion of the revenue directly benefiting Caye Caulker and its residents.
- Cabinet gave its approval for the introduction of a Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Bill for an Act to establish a national DNA database to collect and use DNA samples in the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences, in the investigation of missing persons cases, and for unidentified human remains within Belize.
- In fulfilment of its obligation to achieve the delivery of Milestone 5 under the Belize Blue Bond Agreement, which states that “No later than four years after signing the Agreement, the National Assembly shall approve and the Government shall formally sign into law and Gazette the Revised Costal Management Act,” Cabinet gave its approval of the updated National Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan for Belize and 9 regional Coastal Zone Management guidelines (2025-2030) as the overall guiding strategy by the Government for implementing decisions and actions that affect coastal management in Belize.
- Cabinet gave its approval for the renaming and rebranding of the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to the Development Bank of Belize. This will represent a renewed institutional identity and will enable DFC to complete its transformation, reinforce its commitment to excellence and national impact, and signal a bold step forward in Belize’s development and climate finance landscape.
- Finally, the Prime Minister and Cabinet thanked Minister of State Christopher Coye for his dedicated service to the nation and extended best wishes for his future endeavours. Mr. Coye will continue to serve as a Government Senator.
Ends
