Belmopan, August 21, 2025.
The Cabinet met on 19th August 2025.
- Cabinet applauded the report from the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the successful High Level Trilateral Meeting between the Heads of State and Government of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize in Calakmul, Campeche. At this meeting, Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico agreed to establish the Biocultural corridor called the Selva Maya Reserve, a trinational park which is the second largest reserve (5.3 million hectares) in the Americas. In addition, the three countries renewed their commitment to peace, democracy, and development. They also committed to greater cooperation in the areas of regional security, the environment, and economic development. Mexico made a presentation on the status of the Tren Maya Project, and all three countries agreed to the engagement of technical teams to discuss the future potential of the expansion of Tren Maya into Belize and Guatemala.
- Cabinet was also briefed on the Bilateral Meeting held between Belize and Mexico where the following areas for cooperation were discussed: security, infrastructure, trade and market access, agriculture, culture, education, and energy.
- In an effort to manage the growing presence of the Africanized bee population in urban areas, Cabinet approved a proposal by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise for the control and relocation of unmanaged bees that pose risks to humans, agriculture, and livestock. This plan will outline sustainable and ethical bee control strategies to mitigate risks while preserving pollinator populations, which are essential for food security and the health of our ecosystem.
- In fulfilment of its obligation as a partner of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Belize, in 2020, enacted the Radiation Safety and Security Act, which mandates that an office be created to address issues related to radiation safety and security. For this reason, Cabinet gave its approval for the establishment of an Office of Radiation Safety and Security within the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Solid Waste Management. This office will have regulatory oversight of all activities involving ionizing radiation. It will also develop and implement a comprehensive safeguard agreement with the IAEA to ensure all nuclear material within Belize is used strictly for peaceful purposes and will control the import and export of sources, manage source inventories, and oversee the disposal of disused sources.
- Presently, Belize has no regulations controlling the sale, packaging, marketing, or use of tobacco products. As such, Cabinet gave its endorsement of a Bill to be introduced at the National Assembly to reduce tobacco-related harm and align with international standards. The bill is comprehensive and will regulate not only traditional tobacco products but also novel tobacco products. It will introduce strong regulatory measures across tobacco product packaging and labelling, advertising and promotion, protection of youth and vulnerable populations, smoking restrictions in public spaces, and accountability of the tobacco industry.
- Committed to elevating sports as a national priority, Cabinet gave its approval to allocate $750,000 for the restoration of the roof and other works for the Mexican Sports Center. This landmark multipurpose sporting facility was gifted to Belize by the Government of Mexico as a symbol of the enduring friendship between the two nations. In November 2022, the Center was severely damaged during Hurricane Lisa. Restoring the facility, which includes the installation of a new roof and other necessary structural and functional restorations, will immediately reinstate a high-standard venue to the national inventory.
- Cabinet gave its endorsement of a grant of $2.5 million through the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI) to apply fungicides on 40,000 acres of sugarcane fields to limit disease development and prevent further losses in sugarcane production.
- Finally, Cabinet reminds all Belizeans to prepare emergency kits and review family plans this hurricane season.
Ends
