Prime Minister Briceño, the Keynote Speaker at Leaders’ Summit in South Korea

Contributed by the Ministry of Economic Development: Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño was invited by the Government of the Republic of Korea to be the keynote speaker at the World Climate Industry Expo- Leaders’ Summit in Busan, South Korea on May 27, 2023.

Prime Minister Briceño focused on the threatening effects of Climate Change on food security, the vulnerability of the livelihoods of humanity, the annual losses that Belize GDP suffered which is around 4%, and the unique economic model that Belize has created through the Blue Bond. Additionally, he stated that ocean solutions are climate solutions, but they are more than that – they are food security solutions and biodiversity solutions and investing in ocean conservation is an investment in sustainability and prosperity of our people.  The state of our world’s oceans already reflects a narrative of the impacts of the present and the past. 

Prime Minister Briceño further stated that to reverse the effects, we need to develop “brain trusts” that will respond to the fundamental question of, “how do we harness our achievements and accomplishments to scale finance in conservation that matters for our oceans and our people?”

In November of 2021, the Government of Belize and The Nature Conservancy announced the completion of a 364 million US dollar debt conversion for marine conservation that reduced Belize’s debt by 12 percent of GDP. This move created long-term sustainable financing for conservation and locked in our commitment to protect 30 percent of Belize’s seas, as well as a range of other conservation measures. The Prime Minister encouraged developed nations to support developing nations  in their efforts to adapt to and to mitigate the impacts of climate change on their marine environments.

Prime Minister Briceño concluded his speech by stating that the time to act is now!

By taking decisive and bold steps, we can steer our planet towards a sustainable and resilient future. Let us rise above self-interest and work together to combat climate change, for the sake of the oceans, for the sake of the vulnerable and poor populations, for the sake of future generations, and more so, because this is truly the only place we can call home.

Prime Minister of Belize extends his gratitude to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and the Government and people of the Republic of Korea for their hospitality and for hosting this important summit that focuses on moving forward in the face of climate change, for our planet and people.

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