PACT Appoints Abil Castañeda as New Executive Director

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) has announced the appointment of Abil Castañeda as its new executive director, effective today. PACT says that Castañeda brings over a decade of experience in sustainable development, tourism, and natural resource management to his new role.

“With a respected career in public service, spanning more than 13 years, he has significantly contributed to advancing sustainable policies and practices in the country in his various roles,” PACT said.

At the Belize Tourism Board, he served as Director of Cruise, Capacity Development, Quality, and Registrar of Hotels. PACT says his extensive expertise includes developing and implementing national policies, plans, and programs to advance sustainable practices in Belize’s tourism sector.

He holds a master’s degree in tourism management from Universidad Regiomontana in Monterrey, Mexico, and a bachelor’s degree in tourism management from the University of Belize.

“The Board of Directors and management of PACT is pleased to welcome Mr. Castañeda, who will lead PACT’s strategic scaling up of resource mobilisation and improved governance towards strengthening Belize’s national protected areas system.”

PACT was established in 1995 as Belize’s national conservation trust fund and sources funding from local and international channels to support government agencies, NGOs, and community organisations managing the National Protected Areas System.