Secretariat support for Belize
Elections
Belize received Commonwealth Election Professionals (CEP) Initiative training in May 2018. Its election officials improved their knowledge of campaign and party financing, women’s participation and new media.
Countering violent extremism
The Secretariat helped Belize attend talks in Trinidad and Tobago on tackling violent and extremist views. The aim was to encourage awareness and partnerships in the region.
Countering violent extremism work
Human rights
At a working session in 2017, the Secretariat helped Belize improve its reporting on human rights in the country under the United Nation’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. In 2018-19, the Secretariat worked with Belize to establish a national human rights institution to help it promote, monitor and report on human rights.
Youth
The Secretariat helped Belize include young people in tackling unemployment and setting up business enterprises. 15 staff from the Belize Department of Youth received training.
Climate change
The Commonwealth Secretariat supports Belize to deliver climate action by building its capacity to access international climate finance through the Climate Finance Access Hub and supporting the development of robust climate policies.
Trade
The Secretariat Hub and Spokes programme sent an expert to Belize to advise on trade in services, intellectual property and competition.
Natural resources
The Secretariat gave advice to Belize on improving profits from its petroleum sector and managing its oil resources more sustainably.
Blue Charter
Belize is a co-champion of the Blue Charter Action Group on Coral Reef Protection and Restoration, alongside Australia and Mauritius.
Belize is also a member of the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance and Mangrove Ecosystems and Livelihoods Action Groups.
