Eclectic Aspirations has announced the completion of the director’s cut for WEALTH UNTOLD. This will be the third iteration of this evolving film. This version will undergo screening with selected test audiences to gather feedback before finalizing the post-production process.
Oceana Belize VP Janelle Chanona being interviewed/San Pedro Sun
Formerly titled UNBELIZEABLUE, the documentary delves into groundbreaking marine conservation efforts in Belize, spearheaded predominantly by women from diverse backgrounds. Their collaborative mission to safeguard a unique and endangered ecosystem serves as a global model for coastal communities. Director/Producer Eladio Arvelo said that WEALTH UNTOLD draws inspiration from Belize’s national anthem and resonates with the participants’ shared vision.
WWF Belize Country Rep., Nadia Bood/UNBELIZEABLU Facebook/Phil karp
WEALTH UNTOLD was recognized as one of the “Hot Films in the Making” by From the Heart Productions during the 2023 Roy W. Dean Summer Grant season. The film is slated for completion by June 2024, with plans for a world-premiere screening later in the year.
Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong stepped down from his position, announced by the Communist Party on Wednesday, marking yet another departure of a senior official likely implicated in an extensive anti-corruption campaign. The party confirmed the acceptance of his resignation, citing his violations as tarnishing the reputation of the Communist Party.
Thuong’s resignation coincided with a special parliamentary session addressing personnel matters, following the recent arrest of the former head of Quang Ngai province for corruption.
Assuming office in March 2023 after his predecessor’s resignation due to corruption scandals, Thuong’s departure highlights the enduring impact of Vietnam’s anti-corruption efforts under the leadership of Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
FILE: Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong addressed media. 2023/AP
Thuong, seen as a protégé of Trong, faced scrutiny for his alleged transgressions, which prompted his resignation, although specifics remained undisclosed. The timing, following the arrest of a former provincial head under his supervision, suggests implication in the anti-corruption campaign, overseen by the Central Inspection Commission.
The announcement of Thuong’s resignation triggered a buzz across Hanoi, emphasizing the significance of the event, echoing concerns about the broader implications of the anti-corruption drive on political stability and economic policies.
While the campaign has bolstered Trong’s authority, it has also fueled factional tensions within the party. Moreover, concerns persist about its impact on Vietnam’s business climate and foreign investment, even as the country navigates its strategic positioning amidst U.S.-China competition.
In a press release on Tuesday evening, the Briceño Administration said that the Commission of Inquiry into the sugarcane industry is set to proceed.” The statement came after the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) called a press conference at its headquarters in Orange Walk Town regarding the promised Commission of Inquiry.
During the press conference, Alfredo Ortega, Vice-Chairman, B.S.C.F.A., said “As you can see we have reached March and the signing of the document was in January. Thirty days was in February. So we have long past due that. Now that we have reached this stage and we have listened, because first we were waiting for the government or the prime minister to declare, because he said in his interview on Friday that he is the one in charge to declare the commission of inquiry.”
BSCFA Vice Chairman, Alfredo Ortega
He further stated that “We were waiting for that, but when we listened to what he said on Friday we can clearly say he lied to us, he lied to the cane farmers and that is why we are here. We want to clearly see how the prime minister behaves, lying to the cane farmers, lying to us, lying to the Belizean people in his statements, he said that we are not the only association.”
In its press release, the government said, “Today, Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño approved the terms of reference as well as the appointment of the commissioners to the inquiry into the sugarcane industry of Belize.”
It said “The commission is expected to review the entire value chain of the sugarcane industry to establish the benchmark costs, determine efficiencies and recommend measures to increase efficiencies. Specifically, the commission is to determine the cost of sugarcane farming, harvesting and transporting, as well as sugar manufacturing, operating, transportation and logistics costs.”
Maximo Chan was knocked down and killed this morning in Guinea Grass Village, Orange Walk District. Witnesses say that Chan was about to board a bus when a vehicle stuck him down. He was rushed to the Northern Regional Hospital, where he died.
The latest incident has villagers demanding that speed bumps be placed on the Guinea Grass Road. One person wrote on Facebook, “The village council needs to do better, as bumps are urgently needed in the village. People drive within the village like it’s a free way.”
Another wrote, “How many more people have to die so they can put pedestrian ramps up? How many more children have to be run over by drivers who do not respect the speed limit in the village?”
Guatemalan truck driver, Tony Duarte, is lucky to be alive today after the container truck he was driving overturned. The incident happened near mile fifty-six on the George Price Highway earlier this afternoon. Duarte sustained injuries, and ambulance services arrived promptly.
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) is hosting a press conference at its headquarters in Orange Walk Town. The BSCFA says the purpose of the press conference is to respond to statements made by the Prime Minister in the media last Friday regarding a court ruling on the Sugar Industry (Licence to Import/Export Sugar) Regulations 2023.
On February 29, 2024, High Court Judge Rajiv Gooretilleke delivered a judgement on a claim filed by Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) and Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Associations (CSCPA) on May 23, 2023 against the Attorney General of Belize, the Minister of Agriculture, the Sugar Industry Control Board, and the Controller of Supplies.
Executive Members of the BSCFA
BSCFA says that the Prime Minister’s admission that he wasn’t surprised by the ruling and his assurance of necessary amendments is incredulous. ” His outright capitulation to BSI continues to leave the small cane farmers at the mercy of the financial power and influence of the multinationals, BSI and TLS.”
“Equally appalling are the statements of the Prime Minister regarding the Commission of Inquiry (COI). The Prime Minister states that he heads the COI, that he is the one who has responsibility for the COI, and that it is his responsibility to ensure that there are proper consultations by everyone.”
National Garifuna Council Belize City Branch held its Annual General Meeting and Branch Elections on Saturday, March 16, 2024. The meeting focused on planning of branch activities for the year, strategies for increased engagement of Garinagu living in Belize District and the election of officers for the 2024 – 2026 term of office.
The newly elected executive members for the Belize City Branch are:
President – Raphael Martinez
First Vice President – Dorla Gutierrez
Second Vice President – Winder Ellington
Secretary – Melissa Zuniga
Assistant Secretary – Agnes Rose Morris
Treasurer – Naomi Guzman
Assistant Treasurer – Matthew Martinez
Councillors – Alvin Rhaburn, Denise Casimiro and Bridget Pearl
Miranda
Every two years, FAO holds a Regional Ministerial Conference in Latin America and the Caribbean, bringing together its 33 Members in the region to monitor progress and address the challenges towards fighting hunger, poverty, malnutrition, and inequalities, and to achieving the transformation of agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, FAO’s agrifood systems approach has been effective in supporting countries in accelerating the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to FAO’s latest estimates, the prevalence of undernourishment in the region decreased in 2022 to 6.5 percent, from 7.0 percent in 2021, which means that 2.4 million people are no longer suffering from hunger. However, such progress has occurred in South America (from 7.0 percent to 6.1 percent), while the prevalence of hunger has remained almost the same in Mesoamerica (from 5.0 percent to 5.1 percent). In the Caribbean, undernourishment has risen, from 14.7 percent in 2021 to 16.3 percent in 2022.
These statistics only scratch the surface of the current challenges facing agrifood systems in the region, which include the impacts of the climate crisis, economic disparities, and an over-dependence on commodities.
Although the region is a net food exporter and responsible for 13 percent of global food production, reliance on commodity imports and exports exposes its agrifood systems to macroeconomic volatility and geopolitical instability, which in turn negatively impact food prices and incomes and lead to unfavourable food security and nutrition outcomes.
FAO Director General QU Dongyu and Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali/QU Dongyu
The 38th FAO Regional Ministerial Conference will be held in the Caribbean nation of Guyana from 18 to 21 March 2024. This conference is a significant opportunity for member countries to enhance their individual and collective innovative thinking and build capacity to adapt to the changing landscape of agrifood systems across the region, and beyond, and be prepared for possible future scenarios.
With the engagement of governments and all partners, the conference aims to forge a consensus on tailored action plans for food and agriculture and to uphold the fundamental human right to food in an open, transparent, and inclusive manner.
The experience in Latin America and the Caribbean shows that achieving sustainable agrifood systems requires concerted multi-sectoral efforts. Fighting hunger is an act of collective responsibility, and thanks to a thriving regional integration, tangible results have been achieved. FAO continues to work through relevant international and multilateral fora in the region, and beyond, to continue to highlight the food security agenda and accelerate actions to advance the transformation of agrifood systems.
Ownership and leadership by FAO Members, and collective efforts by all development partners and stakeholders, are critical. Shared vision, foresight, responsibilities, and implementation arrangements are needed to achieve our goals. I would like to emphasize the significance of collaborations and partnerships across the Latin America and the Caribbean region.
In recent years, significant strides have been taken to bring together diverse perspectives and reach a regional consensus that will provide the blueprint for the Organization’s work in the region for the next biennium.
FAO is currently implementing around 400 national, sub-regional, and regional projects in Latin America and the Caribbean that have added millions of households to the agrifood value chain.
Moreover, there is evidence that FAO’s global initiatives, such as the Hand-in-Hand, the 1000 Digital Villages, and the One Country One Priority Product, have positively impacted farmers, especially smallholders, women, youth, Indigenous Peoples and marginalized groups and rural populations.
At the Regional Ministerial Conference, FAO will focus on four interconnected regional priorities reflecting the “four betters” set out in the Organization’s Strategic Framework 2022-31 – better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. These priorities aim to catalyze the transformation of agrifood systems by enhancing efficiency, inclusivity, and sustainability in production; eradicating hunger and advancing food security and nutrition; promoting the sustainable management of natural resources and adaptation to the climate crisis; and addressing inequalities, poverty, and fostering resilience.
Guyana Rice Development Board applying technological innovation to better production/QU Dongyu
The comprehensive Strategic Framework for the next decade provides us with an opportunity to take a wide-ranging look at our agrifood systems, identify areas that need improvement, and take appropriate actions. Members benefit from FAO’s technical expertise, assistance, and support through its headquarters, as well as regional, subregional, and country offices, to ensure effective implementation in support of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. My focus is on strengthening FAO’s country offices to maximize their impact on the ground and support the work of Members at the country level.
Our main goal for the region remains clear: to improve food production and ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food, while protecting natural resources and reducing inequalities, poverty, and hunger. We must produce more with less. To this end, we need to leverage the potential of cooperation, trade, investment and the utilization of innovation and technology within the region and with other regions.
At FAO, we have realigned and refocused our efforts towards supporting Members in accelerating the transformation needed. We have adopted agile operating strategies, offered tailored and timely data and analytical support, enhanced our engagement with governments, the private sector, civil society, academia, and international financial institutions, and have established transformative partnerships with all key players. The reformed and restructured FAO is now better equipped, fit-for-purpose and already working towards this transformation for the benefit of people, planet, and prosperity.
By QU Dongyu, Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
A press conference is currently underway at the Prime Minister’s office in Belize City between CWU and government representatives. The Christian Workers Union, on behalf of the stevedores, has apparently reached an amicable agreement with the Government of Belize regarding recent issues at the Port of Belize that resulted in a work-to-rule last week.
As we reported last week, employees of P.B.L. effected a work-to-rule after repeatedly demanding that the government compensate them for sugar redundancies after the shipment of bulk sugar was relocated to Big Creek a few years ago.
Jamaica has witnessed a decrease in birth rates in recent years, with medical experts attributing lower sperm counts among young men to the use of skin-bleaching creams.
During the American College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologists (ACOG) West Indies Section’s Infertility Update, held at the Summit Kingston hotel in New Kingston, Dr. Kamali Carroll highlighted the global decline in sperm quality. She emphasised the role of various risk factors, including obesity, chronic illnesses, and excessive marijuana use, with skin bleaching creams emerging as a significant concern locally.
Dr. Jordan Hardie, chairman of the ACOG West Indies Section, said that the rising infertility rates in Jamaica, citing data that indicated a decline in birth rates and fertility in both genders.
