UK and Belize Seal Landmark Deal to Protect Rainforests and Fight Climate Change
British High Commissioner and Belize Minister Join Forces
The British High Commissioner to Belize, H.E. Nicole Davison, has inked a major deal with Belize’s Minister of Sustainable Development, Hon. Orlando Habet. The duo signed a Memorandum of Understanding marking a formal partnership to launch the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund in Belize.
Biodiverse Landscapes Fund Set to Pump $20 Million into Mesoamerica
Developed by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the fund pledges up to US$20 million from 2023 to 2029. It targets six biologically rich landscapes worldwide, including Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
In Belize, projects will focus on the Selva Maya Region and the iconic Chiquibul Forest Reserve. Local communities, environmental groups, academic institutions, and private partners will spearhead efforts to restore nature, promote sustainable farming, and strengthen indigenous resource management.
Boosting Biodiversity and Climate Action
The fund supports poverty reduction, biodiversity protection, and climate change mitigation. It also helps Belize meet key international commitments under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030.
Next Steps: Delivery Partner and Project Rollout
Defra is currently selecting a Delivery Partner to lead programme efforts in the region, with work expected to kick off in the second quarter of 2023. Classified as Official Development Assistance (ODA), the fund underlines the UK’s commitment to driving global development and environmental protection.
