United Nations Resident Coordinator Meets with Prime Minister of Belize and Government Ministers During Mission

RC Gerstenberg in her meetings with Prime Minister John Briceno and other cabinet ministers congratulated the new government and reaffirmed the United Nations long-standing relations and commitment to Belize in support of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.   Acknowledging the socio-economic impact of COVID19 in Belize, RC Gerstenberg pointed to the need for an inclusive, digital, and green recovery where government, civil society and private sector engage in a renewed partnership and strengthened cooperation. The development of a new UN Cooperation Framework will commence in early 2021 as the United Nations in Belize prepares to engage with government, civil society organizations, private sector, and other national stakeholders, to determine strategic priorities for its next programme cycle.

In collaboration with the UN Country Team, the UN Resident Coordinator met with various Ministers, CEOs, and CSO representative, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade & Immigration, Hon. Eamon Courtenay; Attorney General of Belize, Hon. Magali Marin Young SC;  Ministers of State, Ministry of Finance, Economic Development & Investment, Hon. Michael Espat and Hon. Christopher Coye; Minister of Human Development, Families & Indigenous Peoples’ Affair, Hon. Dolores Balderamos Garcia; Special Envoy for Development of Families and Children, Mrs. Rossana Briceno; Minister of Public Service, Constitutional & Political Reform, Hon. Henry Charles Usher; Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Michel Chebat; National Trade Union Congress & Civil Society Steering Committee Representative, Hon. Elena Smith as well as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Amb. Marta Irene Boza.

The Resident Coordinator also held a courtesy meeting with the European Union Team Leader where they discussed the partnership of the Spotlight Initiative — a multi-year initiative focused on eliminating all forms of family violence and violence against women and girls (VAWG). An initial investment for Phase I was approved for Belize of US$2,948,715, with the EU as the main contributor of US$2,475,000. The modality for the delivery in Belize is with the support of core UN Agencies including UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF, and associated agencies that include UN Women, ILO, PAHO/WHO, OHCHR and UNHCR.