Belize Makes Strong Statement at the 17th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit

Posted: Tuesday, September 20, 2016. 2:58 p.m. CST.

By BBN Staff: Belize made a strong statement to 120 Member States, and 18 International Organizations and Observer Countries at the 17th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit.Today Belize called on Member States to hold to the 2030 Development Agenda agreed at the United Nations in 2015.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development Gaspar Vega reminded countries that “the value that we extract from this forum is proportional only to the vision that we are willing to bring to this fine table as leaders and thinkers” when there were calls for the revitalization of the Movement.

Vega stressed the theme of “Peace, Sovereignty and Solidarity for Development” in relation to respecting Venezuela’s sovereignty as they face complex external and internal political challenges.

He added that the purpose of PetroCaribe was as a mechanism for economic self-determination and noted that Comandante Chávez’s vision has been raised high by President Maduro. He further stressed that despite intense political and economic pressure on Venezuela about the agreement, that it has become one of the most useful vehicles for development for Belize and for the Caribbean and should be supported because it is “regionalist, internationalist, pro-people and pro-poor.”

After his statement, Vega met with President Nicolás Maduro Moros as an expression of solidarity and support on matters of mutual benefit to Venezuela and Belize.

The officials representing the Government of Belize were led by Vega. The delegation includes Minister Erwin Contreras, H.E. Ambassador Lou-Anne Burns and H.E. Ambassador Patrick Andrews.