New 2024–2025 UN-Belize Plan Launched to Target Key Development Goals with $47M Budget

The Government of Belize and the United Nations (UN) have officially launched their 2024–2025 Country Implementation Plan (CIP) under the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. This announcement came during the 4th Joint National Steering Committee Meeting, co-chaired by Amalia Mai, CEO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Raul Salazar, UN Resident Coordinator for Belize and El Salvador.

The Steering Committee, responsible for overseeing the UN Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNMSDCF) 2022–2026, reviewed progress and future plans. Key topics included updates on Belize’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), preparations for the national Youth Dialogue on August 9, 2024, and strategies for Disaster Risk Reduction and Development Partner Coordination.

The highlight of the meeting was the signing of the CIP for 2024–2025, detailing 161 projects with a total budget of $47 million. According to an official statement issued on August 5, 2024, this plan is part of the second planning cycle of the Cooperation Framework. It will involve 15 UN agencies and focus on four main pillars: Shared Prosperity and Economic Resilience; Equality, Well-Being and Leaving No One Behind; Resilience to Climate Change and Sustainable Natural Resource Management; and Peace, Safety, Justice, and the Rule of Law.

CEO Mai underscored the significance of the UN partnership in accelerating SDG achievements by 2030, aligning the UNMSDCF with Belize’s Medium-term Development Strategy. UN Resident Coordinator Raul Salazar reiterated the UN’s commitment to addressing Belize’s economic, social, and environmental challenges through collaborative efforts.