Belize

Belize, located in the heart of Central America, is famous for its remarkable biodiversity. The country boasts a mosaic of broadleaf forests, pine forests, savannahs, and the largest uninterrupted barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. The Maya Mountains coalition, a biodiversity hotspot, underscores Belize's global ecological importance, harboring various species within its terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

BIOFIN in Belize supported the establishment of the National Biodiversity Office NBIO as a key unit within the Ministry of Sustainable Development and has marked a significant milestone at the national level while supporting the mobilization of financial resources. Key achievements include the modernization of the protected area fee system and the institutionalization of biodiversity financing. Efforts continue to lead the modernization of finance and act as the national focal point for biodiversity conventions. 

More than US$500,000 has been earmarked for targeted investments in biodiversity conservation in support of the PACT Conservation Areas Fund. Regarding efforts to improve financial sustainability and operational efficiency in Belize's protected areas through strategic business planning and investment, three business plans were delivered to pilot and conduct business planning training for protected area managers, setting a precedent for integrating business acumen into conservation efforts. Progress has also been made in developing a framework to facilitate green debt subsidies, including submitting a draft framework to key stakeholders for review and input.

Read more: Belize: Financial Solutions for Biodiversity | BIOFIN