Belize Joins Global Alliance to Advance Sustainable Ocean Management
BELMOPAN, Belize – Belize has formally joined the 100% Alliance for Sustainable Ocean Management, reaffirming its commitment to fully sustainably manage the ocean areas under Belize’s national jurisdiction by 2030 through the development and implementation of a Sustainable Ocean Plan.
Prime Minister John Minister John Briceño signing the agreementSupported by the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel), the 100% Alliance brings together coastal and ocean states committed to integrated and sustainable ocean management.
Belize’s participation builds on national efforts already underway through the Belize Sustainable Ocean Plan (BSOP), the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management framework, Blue Bonds commitments, marine spatial planning, sustainable fisheries management, climate and biodiversity initiatives, and blue economy investments.
The initiative is being supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), whose technical assistance will help strengthen the policy, data, governance, and financing frameworks needed to advance Belize’s Sustainable Ocean Plan and support the development of a broader National Oceans Programme.
On Thursday, at the government sponsored Green and Blue Finance Forum in Punta Gorda, an agreement was signed between the Belize government and the IDB to support Belize’s programme under the 100% Alliance.
The government said the signing represents an important step in translating Belize’s commitment into action by providing technical support for the development of the national planning, governance, investment, and financing framework required for sustainable ocean management.
“Belize’s decision to join the 100% Alliance is about ensuring that every part of our ocean is managed with purpose—for our people, our economy, and future generations,” said Prime Minister John Briceño in emphasising the importance of the commitment:
“ It gives us an opportunity to bring our existing commitments and investments together under one national ocean vision, supported by strong science, clear planning, and sustainable financing,” he added.
The National Oceans Programme will provide a framework for better coordinating priorities across marine spatial planning, fisheries, conservation, coastal resilience, tourism, blue investment, blue carbon, biodiversity, and pollution management, while strengthening national targets, monitoring, and accountability.
Importantly, the National Oceans Programme can serve as a mechanism for identifying and developing a strong pipeline of bankable blue economy projects, helping Belize to mobilize public, private, concessional, and results-based financing for sustainable ocean development.
The 100% Alliance campaign, coordinated by the World Resources Institute, focuses on securing political pledges and commitments toward 100% sustainable ocean management from all coastal and ocean states. Its members so far include the 19 members of the Ocean Panel, along with Colombia, Panama, and the Republic of Korea, collectively accounting for 40% of the world’s national waters.
Belize’s participation in the 100% Alliance further strengthens the country’s international leadership on sustainable ocean governance and reflects a development approach that recognizes the direct connection between healthy oceans, resilient communities, food security, sustainable livelihoods, economic growth, and national prosperity.
