Belmopan, May 13, 2026.
- Cabinet approved the introduction of amendments to the Criminal Code to provide that proceedings relating to sexual offences and cases involving the testimony of children be conducted in camera. This measure is being proposed because the public nature of court proceedings may expose victims, particularly children, to further trauma, intimidation, and social stigma.
- Cabinet gave its approval for legislation to be presented to the National Assembly to amend the Alternative Sentencing Act to broaden and clarify its scope and improve coherence and effectiveness.
- Cabinet discussed the implementation of the plan for the development of the National Bus Company and gave its approval for the Ministries of Transportation and Finance, to negotiate the financing for the procurement of electric buses as a part of the modernization of national transport.
- Cabinet endorsed the transition of an energy-efficient labeling scheme and the implementation of a mandatory program to develop minimum energy performance standards for selected appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, and light bulbs. This initiative will be implemented through the Belize Bureau of Standards, which will oversee conformity assessment evaluation, registration, labelling issuance, and market surveillance.
- Cabinet gave its support for the launch of a new set of definitive stamps to be issued for the next five years. This new set of stamps, titled “Celebrating Belize,” includes 11 stamps covering important aspects of history and events celebrated in Belize.
- With a view of strengthening Belize’s wildlife governance framework, Cabinet approved measures to enhance wildlife enforcement and slow the decline of wildlife populations in Belize. This will include repealing and replacing the current Wildlife Protection Act of 1981 with a Wildlife Conservation and Management Bill, as well as approving a one-year moratorium on the hunting and capturing of the white-lipped peccary, yellow-headed Amazon parrot, and brown brocket deer.
- Cabinet endorsed the implementation of the Escazú Agreement roadmap. The roadmap identifies five key priority actions over the next three years to strengthen Belize’s environmental governance in line with the principles of the Escazú Agreement.
- Cabinet approved a plan by the Ministry of Investment, working with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to devise a Global Digital Services (GDS) Strategy aimed at transforming Belize’s BPO industry into a sector integrating higher-tier services aligned with future GDS demands. The strategy seeks to position Belize as a dynamic provider of high-value creative and digital services by leveraging the Orange Economy as a catalyst for diversification. This vision aims to facilitate an enabling environment that nurtures innovation, brings Belizean digital products into the mass market, protects cultural and intellectual assets, strengthens digital infrastructure and skills, and supports the long-term growth of a globally competitive, inclusive, and future-ready digital services industry.
- Cabinet endorsed a proposal for the Government of Belize to partner with the Institute of Innovation and Growth and the Global Event Partners to host the first Belize International Energy Forum in September of this year. This Forum will bring together stakeholders to examine low-carbon development strategies aimed at achieving high shares of renewable electricity generation within a decade.
- Finally, Cabinet reminds all Belizean drivers and passengers to buckle up. Drive safely and responsibly.
Ends
