“Space? What are we going to do in space?” 

Belize is set to ratify the Convention of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE), following a resolution passed by the Senate.

Belize signed the Convention on May 7, 2024, in Mexico City.

During today’s Sitting of the Senate, Lead Senator for the Opposition, Michael Peyrefitte questioned, “Space? What are we going to do in space?”

He continued, “This government, Madam President, can’t even finish one road on the Coastal Highway and we sign a treaty to go to space and coordinate with satellite?”

He questioned the government’s capability to handle such an advanced and costly initiative, given existing domestic challenges. Senator Peyrefitte also stressed the high costs associated with space technology, stating, “Space technology is like the most expensive technology you can get engaged in, right ahead of oil exploration technology. I would like to hear from the Minister of State, Senator Coye, exactly how much this will cost us. Because nothing you hear about space is cheap; space is expensive.”

Senator Peyrefitte further questioned the financial obligations detailed in the agreement. He emphasised the need for transparency regarding the costs that Belize would incur annually.

In response, Senator for Government Business, Eamon Courtenay, stressed the benefits and minimal costs associated with joining ALCE.  “The purpose of this existing organisation is to use space and satellite technology to harness information to enable people to plan, to avoid disasters, to prepare for disasters, to collect information on soil on topography, to understand the forests that we have, and to increase our ability to have higher yields in agriculture, in order to protect our forests.”

Senator Courtenay reassured that there is no immediate cost to Belize: “There is absolutely no harm in us joining ALCE. Benefits will be down to Belize and Belizeans. There is, at this time, no cost to Belize. If cost is going to be incurred, it will be minimal.”

The Convention aims to establish an international organisation to coordinate cooperation in space technology, research, exploration, and related applications. This initiative is intended to contribute to and strengthen the comprehensive and sustainable development of a regional space programme that will benefit the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The ALCE will enhance the region’s capabilities in various fields, including Earth observation systems for agriculture, natural disaster management (such as droughts, floods, fires, and hurricanes), security and surveillance, oceanography, meteorology, exploration of natural resources, and urban intelligence and cartography.