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Belize to consider membership in Caribbean Challenge Initiative

HighlightsBelize to consider membership in Caribbean Challenge Initiative

Minister Alamilla attends BVI summit

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development Lisel Alamilla returned to Belize this morning, after attending the Caribbean Challenge Initiative’s (CCI) Summit of Caribbean Political and Business Leaders held in the British Virgin Islands from May 17-18, 2013.

Minister Alamilla told Amandala that Belize is currently not part of the Initiative, coordinated by The Nature Conservancy – which describes itself as “the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.”

The Government will be reviewing whether the country should join the 10 other Caribbean countries and territories which have signed on, the minister said.

Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines subscribe to the Caribbean Challenge Initiative — the first conservation initiative embraced by governments across the region, according to the Nature Conservancy.

The program was launched in 2008 and the participating countries and territories have committed to (1) conserving at least 20% of their near-shore marine and coastal environments in national marine protected areas systems by 2020; and (2) creating National Conservation Trust Funds, endowed by new sustainable finance mechanisms (such as tourism fees), dedicated solely to funding park management.

Minister Alamilla said that Belize already meets some of the conservation targets which are to be met by the governments under the initiative.

Belize could obtain funding under the CCI; however, the Government of Belize would have to weigh the pros and cons of subscribing to the initiative, the minister explained.

The Nature Conservancy said that while CCI countries are developing their National Conservation Trust Funds, the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), a $42 million regional endowment, is ramping up to support protected area management through annual disbursements to the national funds.

“The CBF, funded by the German Development Bank (KfW), Global Environment Facility and The Nature Conservancy, will be ready to disburse funds to National Conservation Trust Funds in early 2014,” it added. “In recognition of the importance and urgency of this regional initiative, the Conservancy is raising $8 million to fund the CBF.”

Minister Alamilla, who attended the meeting as an observer, said that the World Bank, the KfW and the EU all had representation at last week’s summit.

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