Belmopan, March 16, 2026.
Belize participated in the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) 66th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors, held from March 11 to 14, 2026, in Asunción, Paraguay. The Belizean delegation was led by Mrs. Narda Garcia, Chief Executive Officer, Office of the Prime Minister, Investment and Civil Aviation, in her capacity as Alternate Governor to the IDB, and was accompanied by Mr. Kareem Michael, Governor of the Central Bank, and Ms. Cinnamon Bottaro, Belize’s Representative on the Board of Directors at the IDB.
The Annual Meetings are the highest decision-making forum of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, bringing together Governors representing the institution’s 48 member countries to review the Bank’s work, determine its strategic direction, and approve key policy and operational decisions. These meetings offer an important opportunity for Belize to engage with its largest development finance partner and to focus on accelerating economic growth and development through greater private sector engagement.
CEO Garcia utilized the margins of the Annual Meetings in Paraguay to convene a series of high-level bilateral discussions, including with the Republic of China (Taiwan), the OPEC Fund, IDB partners, and a series of private financial institutions.
Throughout the plenary sessions and bilateral engagements, the delegation championed priorities of direct relevance to Belize’s national development agenda, including climate resilience and disaster risk management, debt sustainability mechanisms tailored to the vulnerabilities of small states, energy, security, and regional integration. The delegation underscored that these issues are interconnected and require coordinated multilateral responses that place small developing states at the center of policy dialogue.
Discussions addressed matters of strategic importance to Belize to deepen partnerships that support the country’s current development agenda. The engagements come at an opportune time, as the 2026–2030 IDB Country Strategy for Belize was just approved. The strategy aligns with Belize’s national priorities under Plan Belize 2.0 and adopts a more focused and selective approach aimed at turning recent economic gains into durable, inclusive, and climate-resilient growth.
Commenting on the outcomes of the meeting, CEO Garcia stated: “The IDB Annual Meeting provided an invaluable platform for Belize to advance its development priorities and deepen partnerships with key allies. Whether in the plenary halls or at the bilateral table, we are ensuring that Belize’s voice is heard and that our partnerships translate into tangible results for our people. We leave Asunción energized and with clear pathways forward.”
The Government of Belize remains fully committed to its engagement with the IDB and the international development community, recognizing these partnerships as essential to delivering resilient, inclusive, and sustainable development for all Belizeans.
Ends
