Belize participates in regional discussion on accessing climate finance

Published by BBNTEAM at September 23, 2021

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Posted: Thursday, September 23, 2021. 4:18 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: A team of Belizean officials has participated in a virtual high-level panel discussion with other regional National Designated Authorities (NDA) to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) on Wednesday, aimed at promoting dialogue between participating countries regarding challenges, constraints, and successes in accessing climate finance; strengthening cooperation by learning from Mexican institutions that have been successful in accessing GCF funds; and receiving feedback from GCF and the Global Environmental Fund representatives.

Belize was represented at the Regional Dialogue to Access Climate Finance by Leroy Martinez, Economist/Green Climate Fund Focal Point in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment; Dr. Orville Grey, GCF Regional Manager; Dr. Renata Clarke, sub-regional coordinator for the Caribbean – FAO; Camila Zepeda, director-general – Global Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; His Excellency Oscar Esparza-Vargas, Ambassador of the United Mexican States to the Caribbean; and Shaun Baugh, programme manager, Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Development – CARICOM Secretariat.

The event was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under a Mexico and CARICOM initiative with the support of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean Countries who are organizing the Sustainable Development Movement Summit 2021.

Martinez made the case for Belize to receive more urgent funds for climate finance for both mitigation and adaptation in the areas of infrastructure, especially for coastal communities; agriculture (sugar and banana) and tourism, which contribute significantly to the national economy, including food security and employment. Belize has already gotten $6 million for the creation of a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and under this funding is preparing separate NAPs for fisheries and coastal activities; water conservation, and agriculture, tourism, fisheries and health sectors by the Protected Areas Conversation Trust (PACT).

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