The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has significantly enhanced its collaborative framework with Belize following an extensive high-level mission from February 9-13, 2026. Led by FAO Representative Dr. Ana Touza and Assistant Representative Alicia Abrahams, the diplomatic engagement focused on sustainable development across multiple sectors including agriculture, education, biodiversity conservation, and blue economy initiatives.
During the strategic meetings, Dr. Touza convened with Rodwell Ferguson, Belize’s Minister of Agriculture, to finalize details of the 2026-2028 Technical Cooperation Programme and the forthcoming 2027-2031 Country Programming Framework. Their discussions emphasized climate-resilient agricultural practices, enhanced participation of youth and women in farming sectors, agro-processing advancements, and the expansion of educational school garden programs.
A notable site visit occurred at Eden Garden SDA Primary School, where FAO-supported covered gardens demonstrate practical agricultural education, teaching students about locally sourced nutrition and sustainable food production. Subsequent discussions with Ramon Cervantes, Minister of State for Education, explored methodologies for integrating FAO’s expertise into national school feeding programs to improve both nutritional outcomes and educational performance.
The mission’s conservation segment featured an expedition to Belize’s Maya Golden Landscape in collaboration with the Ya’axché Conservation Trust, highlighting successful implementations of agroforestry, apiculture, and sustainable forest management techniques. Parallel discussions with Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy, addressed sustainable ocean resource management and coastal community resilience, while meetings with Osmond Martinez, Minister of Economic Development, focused on synergistic opportunities between agricultural and blue economy sectors.
Dr. Touza emphasized that “this comprehensive visit reaffirmed the robust partnership between FAO and Belize, demonstrating the critical importance of cross-sectoral coordination in agriculture, education, biodiversity, and blue economy initiatives to achieve sustainable resource management, nutritional security, and livelihood resilience.” The FAO commits to continuing this integrated approach through upcoming programming cycles to deliver transformative solutions in Belize’s development landscape.