23/04/2026
In celebration of Earth Day ๐โจ
The National Biodiversity Office participated in the Earth Day Fair hosted by the Sustainable Development Unit (SDU) under the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management, engaging students through an interactive booth and sharing our work, ongoing projects, and national priorities for protected areas management.
We also took part of the panel discussion on โConnecting Policy, Financing, and On-the-Ground Action,โ moderated by Chad Bowman form UNDP, alongside representative from PACT and the Forest Department. As NBIO, we highlighted why biodiversity is important for Belizeโs future, highlighting the persistent ongoing challenges faced for the effective management of protected areas which includes limited financial resources, capacity constraints, and competing national priorities, which continue to affect the full implementation of national and international biodiversity commitments.
Within its mandate, NBIO continues to support national biodiversity strategies by guiding priority actions through available funding mechanisms, strengthening coordination, and helping identify key priority for conservation actions. However, persistent gaps in financing and institutional capacity underscore the need for stronger partnerships, improved resource mobilization, and sustained long-term commitment at all levels.