Dr. Lin Chia-Lung, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan), will lead a delegation to Belize from October 29 to 30, 2024. During the visit, Prime Minister John Briceño and Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca will hold bilateral meetings with Minister Lin.
Foreign Minister Lin is also scheduled to visit the site of the proposed San Pedro General Hospital, a project generously funded by Taiwan.
This will be Minister Lin’s first official visit to Belize since assuming office in May, as the two nations mark 35 years of diplomatic relations.
This ratification is right in line with Belize’s Medium Term Development Strategy, which zeroes in on marine conservation, stopping biodiversity loss, and safeguarding our oceans. Belize has shown its commitment through actions like the moratorium on offshore oil exploration, the ban on gillnets, and the creation and expansion of protected marine areas. These efforts highlight Belize’s leadership in ocean and marine preservation across the Caribbean.
Nicole Davison
Nicole Davison, British High Commissioner
“When CEO Mai of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade asked whether we were willing to fund this event, we felt very strongly that this was an area of mutual interest in which we wanted to work together. As many of you will know we recently had a general election in the United Kingdom which resulted in the appointment of a new government. A few weeks ago, in his very first major policy speech, the Foreign Secretary David Lammey stated that the UK government would put climate and nature at the heart of our foreign policy and that the ambition is for the UK to again become the world leader in this very important issue. And the fact that that was his very first major policy speech was on climate and nature I think underlines just where the UK is coming from on this.”
Charlotte Salpin
Charlotte Salpin, DOALOS
“Caribbean SIDS, in particular Belize, continues to play a leading role as we prepare for the entry into force of the agreement. Three of the thirteen ratifications to date are from the Caribbean SIDS, Belize, Cuba, and Barbados. Congratulations to those states that have either signed or ratified and, of course, hint, we look forward to welcoming others very soon to the BBNJ Agreement family.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca addressed the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York City on Saturday. Minister Fonseca touched on several global issues, including the Israel-Hamas war.
“In our region. Mr. President Belize rejects the continued denial of self-determination of the Palestinian people and calls for the eradication of the system of colonial domination and apartheid being imposed upon them, as Belize stated to the International Court of Justice.”
Minister Fonseca added, “In the recent advisory opinion, Israel cannot be permitted to continue flouting one of the most fundamental principles of international law with impunity.”
He said, “Impunity breeds inhumanity. Just two weeks ago, this assembly approved a resolution. proposed by Palestine affirming the ICJ’s advisory opinion and called on members to act to reinforce the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. The war, the oppression, and the inhumanity must end.”
In November 2023, Belize severed diplomatic ties with Israel. Belize also withdrew its approval for Einat Kranz-Neiger to serve as Israel’s Ambassador to Belize. All operations of the Israeli Honorary Consulate in Belize and the appointment of its Honorary Consul were suspended. Belize also suspended its Honorary Consulate in Tel Aviv.
The Office of the Prime Minister announces that Prime Minister John Briceño has departed for Mexico City to attend the historic presidential inauguration of President-Elect Dra. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Mexico’s first female elected president.
In a statement, Prime Minister Briceño said, “It’s a history making presidential inauguration for Mexico. Our delegation is visiting our northen neighbor to mark the official installation of the first female elected President of Mexico H. E. Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum. I was received at the presidential hangar by the new Secretary of Infrastructure, Communication and Transportation Jesus Antonio Medina.”
The Prime Minister is expected to return on October 3, 2024. During his absence, Cordel Hyde, Minister of Natural Resources, Petroleum, and Mining, will serve as Acting Prime Minister.
During his United Nations address in New York City, Guatemalan President Bernado Arevalo spoke of the Belize/Guatemala dispute.
The Belize/Guatemala territorial dispute has been ongoing for nearly two centuries. The conflict centres around Guatemala’s claim to more than half of Belize’s territory, based on historical treaties and agreements. Both countries have agreed to resolve the dispute through the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Following national referendums in both countries, the case was officially submitted to the ICJ in 2019. Guatemala submitted its brief in 2020, and Belize submitted its counter-memorial in 2022.
During his speech, President Arevalo said, “I would like to reaffirm the commitment of Guatemala to permanently and in a lasting manner resolve before the International Court of Justice the insular, maritime, and territorial dispute with the brotherly country, a neighbourly country of Belize.”
He said, “By opting for dialogue and the international legal mechanism, we have demonstrated that peaceful means and respect for multilateral institutions are the most effective way to resolve disputes between countries. We are confident that this process will make it possible to bring about a just and balanced institution that respects the rights and dignity of both countries.”
And that “this act is an act of faith, of our faith in international law and our commitment to lasting peace, not only for Guatemala and Belize, but also as an example for the region and for the world.”
Permanent representatives from nine of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies have jointly called on United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to advocate for Taiwan’s inclusion in the UN.
The letter, signed by representatives from Belize, Eswatini, Guatemala, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), and Tuvalu, urges the UN to address what the allies describe as “malicious distortions” of UN Resolution 2758. They argue that the misinterpretation of the resolution threatens peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
China claims that the resolution supports its “one China” policy, asserting Taiwan as an “inalienable part” of its territory. However, Taiwan maintains that the resolution only pertains to China’s representation at the UN and does not define Taiwan’s political status or sovereignty.
The letter also calls for the UN to uphold neutrality and stop its current interpretation of Resolution 2758, which, the allies argue, unjustly prevents Taiwan and its media from participating in UN meetings and events.
The letter was submitted ahead of the UN’s upcoming Summit for the Future and the General Debate of the 79th session of the General Assembly.
Belize’s UN Representative, Carlos Fuller, highlighted the critical importance of Taiwan’s involvement in climate discussions, as it is one of the island nations most vulnerable to rising sea levels.
Prime Minister John Briceño led Belize’s delegation on an official visit to meet with H.E. President Bernardo Arévalo of Guatemala. The leaders discussed various aspects of the bilateral agenda.
The ministerial delegation included ministers Francis Fonseca, Florencio Marin, Christopher Coye, Michel Chebat, Oscar Requena, and Osmond Martinez.
During the visit, the delegation discussed security cooperation, the commitment to fully implementing the Partial Scope Agreement for trade, and potential areas for expansion. They also explored ways to improve interactions along the border region of Jalacate, Belize, and Santa Cruz, Guatemala, for the mutual benefit of both nations.
Prime Minister Briceño expressed his appreciation for President Arévalo’s support for Belize’s membership in the Council of Ministers of Finance for SICA and Belize’s observer status in SIECA. He emphasised that differences can be positively resolved through dialogue, cooperation, and peaceful diplomatic means.
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) also met with their Guatemalan counterparts to explore opportunities for expanding trade. Prime Minister John Briceño has identified new markets to foster trade growth.
Prime Minister John Briceño is in Guatemala, heading a delegation on an official visit for trade talks. The Prime Minister returns on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. During his absence, Cordel Hyde, Minister of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining, will hold over as Prime Minister. On Facebook, PM Briceño said, “Working avenues for mutual benefit with our western neighbor Guatemala. I was met by Foreign Minister H. E. Carlos Ramiro Martínez at the La Aurora International Airport of Guatemala. At the invitation of H. E. President Bernardo Arévalo our Belize delegation of Ministers and private sector visits Guatemala.”
Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of National Defence and Border Security, welcomed Brigadier General Edgar Rosendo Lima Reina, Guatemala’s Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Attaché, for a courtesy visit at the Curl Thompson Building in Belmopan today.
During the cordial meeting, they discussed strengthening the relationship between the two militaries, exploring areas of cooperation in humanitarian assistance, and identifying other training opportunities.
Oscar Mira, Minister of State in the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security, and Brigadier General (Ret’d) Dario Tapia, Chief Executive Officer in the ministry, were also present for the meeting.
The Ministry of Immigration convened the mid-term meeting of the Regional Consultation Group on Migration (RCGM) as part of the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM). This two-day event brings together member states and international organisations from across the region, including the USA and Canada, with the aim of enhancing regional cooperation and improving migration governance.
The meeting also serves as a review of Belize’s first semester of leadership of the RCM, during which several regional initiatives were completed. These initiatives included webinars, training courses, research, and workshops designed to strengthen the capacity for improving migration management and protecting migrants.
In her opening remarks, Tanya Santos, CEO in the Ministry of Immigration and President Pro-Tempore, emphasised the RCM’s commitment to enhancing dialogue and cooperation among member states.
She stated, “I reiterate the RCM’s commitment to strengthening ties between our countries by enhancing our dialogue and cooperation to identify areas of convergence and best practices. We further commit to using this knowledge to operationalize our plans of action and agreements, particularly in intersecting areas for the benefit of our region. Alongside our shared vision of safe, orderly, and humane migration, we acknowledge our common interests in human rights, citizen and border security, and the social and economic impacts of migration. Together, we can develop relevant and comprehensive migration frameworks within the region.”
This statement underscores the Ministry’s dedication to fostering unity and collaboration among member states, ensuring that migration policies are effective and respectful of human rights and the region’s socio-economic contexts.
The meeting will continue into its second day of activities tomorrow. CEO Santos is joined by Mrs. Debra Baptist-Estrada, Director of the Department of Border Management and Immigration Services, and an interministerial working group, including officials from various ministries, to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach during Belize’s tenure.
This Mid-Term Meeting will be followed by an end-of-year meeting, which will conclude Belize’s term as President Pro-Tempore, during which further progress and achievements will be reviewed.
