Prime Minister to Oceana Belize: “Government reaffirms its support for PROHIBITION on offshore oil operations”

By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: Yesterday, Prime Minister John Briceno wrote to Oceana Belize reiterating the Government’s position and support for the prohibition of offshore oil operations.

The letter addressed to Keith Addis, President of the Board of Directors in Oceana said that the Government seeks to “reiterate its policy position with regard to oil exploration in general and seismic testing in particular. Public clarity is necessary because of recent representations made by Oceana Belize on this important subject, representations which we deem precipitate.”

PM Briceno noted that the Government supports the law on the prohibition of offshore petroleum operations enacted by the National Assembly in 2017.

In addition, PM Briceno asserted that any change to the existing prohibition on offshore petroleum operations would arise only with the support from a majority of Belizeans by way of a national referendum.

The Prime Minister further assured that no Ministry or department has or proposes to authorize offshore seismic testing without alteration to the existing prohibition.

“The written assurance this letter represents supersedes any prior statements or inferences,” the Prime Minister added.

PM Briceno stated that no other administration has embraced the cause of marine conservation as they have done over the past two years.

“Whether creating the first Blue Economy Ministry, adopting multiple landmark marine Conservation Agreements that led to the much-heralded Blue Bonds, or partnering with the conservation community, the Government has made marine conservation a foremost priority,” PM Briceno said.

The Government of Belize has accelerated by 5 years the protected areas designation of 30% of Belize’s oceans and ample resources underwrite our expanding marine conservation programs.

“US $84 million will flow to these efforts over the next 19 years, with an Endowment of US $100 million funding conservation work subsequently, all managed by the majority non-governmental agencies. 

 You may also be aware that subsequent to the Blue Bond framework, the Government pursued the Finance for Permanence initiative, led by the WWF, which will add an expanded dimension to our national conservation efforts,” the letter further stated.

The Prime Minister said that at COP26 in Scotland and COP27 in Egypt, Belize was relentless in advocating for urgent action and redress to the climate crisis.

PM Briceno encourages Oceana Belize to re-engage meaningfully and in good faith.

 “In the circumstances and with the assurances provided herein, the Cabinet and I consider the referendum proposed by Oceana Belize to be unnecessary. Instead, it would the best for us to re-engage meaningfully and in good faith, and to refocus on those many marine conservation challenges that require collaborative action now,” the letter ended.

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