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  • Ediflor Festival to debut in Dominica on May 24 and 25

    Ediflor Festival to debut in Dominica on May 24 and 25

    ROSEAU, Dominica – May 20, 2026 – Dominica’s culinary landscape is about to welcome a groundbreaking new event, as local culinary creator Daria Eugene prepares to launch the world’s first edible flower-focused festival, Ediflor, in the picturesque village of Giraudel on May 24 and 25. Opening its doors to attendees from 12 p.m. each day, this two-day immersive gathering reimagines the intersection of gastronomy, local culture and creative innovation, building the entire experience around the underutilized potential of edible blooms.

    Unlike traditional food festivals that treat flowers as mere table decorations, Ediflor centers edible flowers as a core ingredient across every course of its curated dining experience. The event offers a two-tier full-course dining program that weaves edible flowers, locally sourced herbs and native tropical produce into every element of the meal, from bright appetizers to hearty main courses and delicate desserts. All dishes draw inspiration from traditional Dominican flavor profiles and broader Caribbean culinary traditions, putting a fresh, creative twist on beloved regional cuisine. The first tier of the exclusive dining experience will only be available to attendees on the opening day, May 24, adding a limited-access element for early visitors.

    Organizers emphasize that Ediflor fills a unique niche in global culinary events, billing it as the first festival of its kind anywhere in the world. Its core mission is to shift public perception of flowers, inviting guests to see them not just as decorative accents, but as versatile, flavorful ingredients that can elevate both the taste and visual presentation of food.

    Beyond the headline dining experience, the festival has planned a full slate of complementary activities designed to engage attendees of all ages and interests. These include a curated exhibition of flower-themed art and antique pieces, interactive garden and culinary games, a hands-on plant education workshop tailored for children, a marketplace featuring handcrafted goods from local Dominican artisans and vendors, and continuous live entertainment paired with cultural performances that highlight the island’s rich heritage.

    In an interview ahead of the launch, founder Daria Eugene, who runs the popular local culinary platform Cooking with Daria, explained the inspiration behind the festival. She noted that the idea grew from a desire to celebrate the abundance of native Dominican ingredients while bringing an entirely new culinary concept to the island’s food scene.

    “Most people automatically think of flowers as just decoration for a plate or a room,” Eugene said. “We wanted to change that narrative and show how they can become an integral, delicious part of a complete culinary experience. This festival gives everyone the chance to taste something completely new, while enjoying great food, celebrating local culture, and exploring creative expression all in one place.”

    For years, Eugene has worked through Cooking with Daria to elevate and promote Dominican cuisine, creating interactive culinary experiences that highlight the versatility of local ingredients. Now, Ediflor represents the largest expansion of that mission to date.

    Event organizers anticipate the festival will draw a diverse crowd, including international and local food lovers, professional chefs looking for new ingredient inspiration, home gardeners with an interest in edible plants, cultural enthusiasts exploring Dominican heritage, and tourists searching for one-of-a-kind activities to add to their Caribbean travel itineraries. The festival is expected to become a new staple on Dominica’s annual culinary calendar, boosting local tourism and supporting small creative businesses across the island.

    Tickets for the 2026 inaugural Ediflor festival are currently available for purchase at Bullseye Pharmacy. Businesses or individuals interested in sponsorship opportunities, or those seeking additional information about ticketing and the event schedule, can contact Cooking with Daria directly at 617-5827 or visit the team in person in Giraudel, Dominica.

  • National Tourism Public Speaking Competition finalists chosen

    National Tourism Public Speaking Competition finalists chosen

    A key milestone has been reached for the 2026 National Tourism Public Speaking Competition in Saint Lucia, with the official list of finalists now confirmed after a closely contested preliminary round.

    Organized under the framework of the Ministry of Tourism’s youth engagement initiative, the preliminary stage drew 25 talented participants from nine secondary schools across the island. Competition organizers described the preliminary round as a dynamic blend of enthusiastic participation and rigorous competitive energy, highlighting that the high level of student involvement reflects strong ongoing interest in the ministry’s goal of cultivating youth awareness and nurturing young student ambassadors for Saint Lucia’s vital tourism sector.

    For the first phase of judging, participants submitted pre-recorded video entries showcasing their public speaking skills and perspectives on Saint Lucia’s tourism industry. After a thorough evaluation process by the judging panel, 10 outstanding students were selected to advance to the final competition. The finalists hail from six of the island’s top secondary institutions: St Mary’s College Secondary School, Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School, St Joseph’s Convent, Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School, Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School, and Castries Comprehensive Secondary School.

    The final public showdown is scheduled to take place on July 2, 2026. Beyond bragging rights, the top performer will earn the prestigious ceremonial title of Junior Minister of Tourism, a recognition that puts a young leader at the forefront of the island’s tourism promotion efforts.

    To equip finalists with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in both the national final and an upcoming regional competition, the Department of Tourism hosted a specialized preparatory workshop on Friday, May 15. The workshop brought together all 10 finalists and their designated school liaison teachers for targeted training sessions. Attendees received expert coaching to refine their public speaking techniques, deepened their understanding of the structure and impact of Saint Lucia’s tourism ecosystem, and walked through the four core debate and presentation topics that will anchor the final competition.

    Organizers have opened the event to public participation by inviting all residents and tourism supporters to watch the final competition live via a free broadcast on Facebook on July 2. The live stream will give audiences across the globe a front-row seat to watch the next generation of Saint Lucian tourism advocates compete, cheer on their favorite finalists, and find out who will claim the 2026 Junior Minister of Tourism title.

  • Putin bezoekt Beijing: strategisch partnerschap versterkt, gasdeal blijft uit

    Putin bezoekt Beijing: strategisch partnerschap versterkt, gasdeal blijft uit

    On May 20, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin wrapped up the second stop of his high-profile diplomatic tour in Beijing, marking his 25th official state visit to China. The visit, which came just days after Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted U.S. President Donald Trump for tense bilateral talks, has cemented the deepening strategic partnership between Moscow and Beijing while laying bare unresolved sticking points in their key energy cooperation.

    Putin arrived in Beijing on the evening of May 19, receiving a formal ceremonial welcome that included an honor guard, cannon salutes, and flag-waving young participants, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi greeting him on arrival. Over two days of closed-door talks and public ceremonies, the two leaders reaffirmed the “no-limits” strategic partnership their countries established last year, ahead of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, noting that bilateral relations have now reached an unprecedented level of cooperation. The two heads of state signed a joint statement committing to deepen bilateral policy coordination, and jointly called for the construction of a more fair and equitable multipolar global order.

    As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Xi emphasized during the talks that China and Russia share a responsibility to reform global governance to make it more inclusive and just, while advocating for an immediate end to ongoing hostilities in conflict zones around the world, most notably the escalating tensions in the Middle East. The two leaders also issued a joint rebuke of U.S. security policy, condemning Washington’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system and what they labeled as its irresponsible nuclear posture. This unified stance comes in the wake of heightened global nuclear tensions after the U.S. withdrew from a key nuclear arms control treaty with Russia in February, with no agreement reached on extending the pact. The joint condemnation also underscores a fundamental divergence between Beijing and Washington on core global security issues, even as China seeks to maintain stable bilateral relations with the United States after Xi’s recent talks with Trump.

    While the diplomatic side of the visit produced clear displays of unified alignment, a major anticipated breakthrough in energy cooperation failed to materialize. Negotiations for the long-planned Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, a project designed to double Russia’s annual natural gas exports to China, remain deadlocked over unresolved pricing disagreements, and are expected to take years more to complete, Russian officials confirmed. The proposed 2,600-kilometer pipeline, which will route gas through Mongolia, is planned to carry 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas to China each year once operational, but core commercial terms have yet to be finalized.

    That said, existing energy trade between the two nations continues to grow: Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters that China’s purchases of Russian crude oil have increased 10% over the past four months, with China remaining the largest buyer of Russian oil globally, importing via both pipeline and maritime routes. Novak added that Beijing has expressed clear interest in long-term supply contracts, and further growth in bilateral energy trade is expected in the coming months, even as the large-scale gas pipeline project remains in limbo.

    With the war in Ukraine entering its third year and global geopolitical tensions continuing to escalate, the Putin visit highlights the growing alignment between Moscow and Beijing as both push back against what they view as U.S.-led unipolar dominance. At the same time, the stalled gas pipeline negotiations reveal that even close strategic partners still face practical commercial hurdles that can slow major integrated infrastructure projects.

  • India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Visits UNDP‑Supported Initiatives in Kalinago Territory during High‑Level Mission to Dominica

    India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Visits UNDP‑Supported Initiatives in Kalinago Territory during High‑Level Mission to Dominica

    On May 20, 2026, during a high-level official visit to the Commonwealth of Dominica, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita toured ongoing development activities in the Kalinago Territory — the ancestral homeland of Dominica’s Indigenous Kalinago people — spotlighting a landmark collaborative resilience project backed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The visit underscored the depth of partnership between the Indian government, UNDP, the Dominican government, and the Kalinago community to advance locally led climate adaptation and inclusive sustainable development.

    The on-site review centered on progress of the Strengthening Community Resilience within the Kalinago Territory (SCR-K) Project, a development initiative financed through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, a mechanism managed by the UN Office for South-South Cooperation. The project is jointly implemented by UNDP, the Dominican government, and the Kalinago Council, rolling out an integrated development strategy focused on boosting climate-resilient agricultural practices, strengthening regional food security, restoring degraded forest and watershed ecosystems, and expanding sustainable Indigenous-led tourism to create stable local livelihoods. Throughout implementation, the project has centered inclusive community participation, gender equity, and national ownership of development priorities.

    Margherita’s delegation toured multiple project sites that demonstrate how cross-border South-South cooperation is translating global support into tangible local impact for Dominica’s Indigenous population. The first stop was the Forestry Propagation Centre in Pond Casse, where local teams grow native tree seedlings for large-scale reforestation work across the Kalinago Territory. This restoration effort is a core component of broader watershed protection work, and it actively engages Kalinago children and young people to build intergenerational environmental stewardship.

    Next, the delegation traveled to Kalinago Barana Autê, a cultural heritage site operated by the Kalinago community, where they were greeted with traditional Kalinago cultural performances. Following the welcome, the delegation participated in a symbolic handover of backyard gardening kits to low-income and vulnerable Kalinago households. The kits are designed to expand local food production,推广 climate-smart farming techniques, and help households better absorb the economic and food security shocks brought by increasingly frequent extreme weather events, a top priority for climate-vulnerable small island nations like Dominica.

    The visit also included a public tree-planting ceremony to mark ongoing restoration work, a guided tour of the Kalinago Barana Autê cultural grounds, and a live demonstration of traditional Kalinago cassava production. These activities emphasized the project’s commitment to centering Indigenous cultural heritage and traditional ecological knowledge alongside modern sustainable development goals.

    The engagement brought together stakeholders from across the partnership, including senior representatives from UNDP, the Government of India, the Dominican Ministry of Foreign, International Business, Trade and Energy, the Dominican Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernisation and Kalinago Upliftment, the Kalinago Council, and local community members. The gathering reinforced the critical role of South-South cooperation in supporting community-designed solutions for climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and Indigenous development in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) that face disproportionate climate risk.

    Speaking during the visit, Minister Margherita emphasized that India takes great pride in seeing the India-UN Development Partnership Fund deliver community-centered development to the Kalinago Territory. “This collaboration embodies the core spirit of South-South cooperation, rooted in shared solidarity, mutual respect, and alignment with locally identified development priorities,” he noted.

    Cozier Frederick, Dominican Minister of Environment, Rural Modernisation and Kalinago Upliftment, welcomed the visit as a formal recognition of the multi-stakeholder partnership driving resilience and sustainable livelihoods in the Kalinago Territory. “Our ongoing collaboration with UNDP and the Government of India continues to advance our national development priorities and lift up local Kalinago communities,” Frederick stated.

    Anette Sanford, Chief of the Kalinago Territory, thanked partners for their shared commitment to empowering the Kalinago community. “This initiative, led by UNDP with generous support from the governments of India and Dominica, reflects a collective promise to empower our people, invest in sustainable livelihoods, and build systems that let our community thrive,” Sanford said. “Your partnership demonstrates the power of collective action and international solidarity to address local challenges, and we are grateful for the national government’s consistent support for strengthening Indigenous communities. Most importantly, this work centers our community members — their participation and stewardship will shape the long-term impact of this project.”

    Justin Shone, Head of UNDP’s Project Office in Dominica, highlighted the cumulative impact of India’s investment in the region. “We are grateful for the continued trust and partnership from the Government of India, which has provided funding through the UN Office for South-South Cooperation, and for our close collaboration with the Government of Dominica,” Shone explained. “This is the second project India has supported in the Kalinago Territory, bringing total investment to $2 million, and it is already driving real, lasting change to boost the resilience of the Kalinago people.”

    Through its long-standing development partnership with Dominica, UNDP remains committed to supporting Indigenous peoples and vulnerable communities across the country to withstand and recover from climate and economic shocks, while strengthening local institutions and initiatives that advance inclusive, long-term sustainable development.

  • GASA commends inaugural SolidBase Invitational Swim Meet 2026

    GASA commends inaugural SolidBase Invitational Swim Meet 2026

    The Grenada Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) has issued a formal statement celebrating the resounding success of the first ever SolidBase Invitational Swim Meet 2026, which ran from May 15 to 17 at the Good Hope Swimming Pool. This landmark competition marked an important milestone for competitive swimming in the Caribbean nation, carrying official GASA sanction as a qualifying event for the upcoming Goodwill Championships.

    A total of four local aquatic clubs brought their top athletes to compete across the three-day event: Grenfin Swim Club, SolidBase Triathlon and Swimming Team, Sailfish Swim Club, and Stingray Swim Club. Throughout the intense schedule of races, participating swimmers showcased remarkable levels of grit, competitive spirit, and technical skill, all while upholding high standards of sportsmanship. Athletes pushed themselves to hit the qualifying times needed for the Goodwill Championships and compete for overall team glory, delivering a series of standout performances that impressed organizers and spectators alike.

    At the conclusion of the meet, GASA awarded top team honors to two standout squads: Grenfin Swim Club claimed the title of Overall Female Champions, while SolidBase Triathlon and Swimming Team took home the Overall Male Champions trophy. The association also highlighted the exceptional results of age group champions across every competing division. For the 6 & Under category, Kitania Scott of Grenfin claimed female top honors, while Nelson Wilson-Louison II of SolidBase took the male title. In the 7–8 division, Tyler Charles and Zion Doughlin, both of Grenfin, secured female and first place respectively. For 9–10 year olds, Halle Gooding of SolidBase won the female division, with Keshon Cobb of Grenfin taking male top spot. The 11–12 category saw both titles go to SolidBase, with Angliner Jackson-Bain claiming female gold and Mateo Thomas winning the male division. In 13–14, Eliza Rose Benjamin of Grenfin took female first, while Ethan Chu Fook of Sailfish claimed male top honors. For 15–17 age group, Maggie Watson of Grenfin won the female division, and Jacob Collymore of Sailfish took the male title. Rounding out the awards, Sara Dowden of Grenfin claimed the 18 & Over female championship, with Fernando Gabriel of SolidBase winning the male open division.

    In its statement, GASA extended praise to every athlete who stepped onto the starting blocks for the meet, noting that their hard work and commitment was central to the event’s success. The association also offered special recognition to the army of coaches, supporting parents, dedicated volunteers, and certified officials whose behind-the-scenes work made the smooth running of the competition possible. GASA additionally singled out SolidBase Triathlon and Swimming Team for its work organizing and hosting the inaugural invitational, crediting the team for advancing the growth of all aquatic sports across Grenada.

    Organizers say they are encouraged by the consistent, steady growth competitive swimming has seen in Grenada in recent years, and are looking ahead to a future of expanded development, wider grassroots participation, and more high-level competition opportunities that allow local athletes to test their skills against top talent across the region and around the world. This report appears courtesy of contributor content hosted by NOW Grenada, which notes it is not responsible for the opinions or content shared by third-party contributors.

  • Another strong showing by Team Grenada

    Another strong showing by Team Grenada

    After a historic run of strong performances at the 2026 Roger Boyce Classic Semi Pro and IFBB Pro World Cup hosted in Barbados, Grenada’s national bodybuilding team received a warm official welcome from the Grenada Bodybuilding, Weightlifting and Fitness Federation (GBBWF) on Tuesday, May 19.

    Under the strategic leadership of GBBWF President Cecil Mitchell and IFBB Pro Coach Vonne Francis, the delegation of Grenadian athletes turned in standout results across three competitive divisions: Men’s Physique, Classic Physique, and open Bodybuilding, going head-to-head with elite competitors from across the globe.

    The tournament’s breakout story came from first-time regional competitor Daniel Louison, who clinched the gold medal in the Men’s Physique Up to 179cm category in his debut major outing. Joining Louison on the podium in the same division was compatriot Rashid Bridgeman, who claimed second place.

    In the Men’s Physique Juniors division, Javon Joseph secured a second-place finish, with Bridgeman taking third. Joseph also added a bronze medal to his tournament tally with a third-place finish in the Men’s Physique Up to 176cm category. Veteran competitor Kevon Frederick delivered consistent top performances across two divisions, earning silver in Classic Physique and bronze in Men’s Bodybuilding.

    For the professional division, three Grenadian athletes made their highly anticipated Elite Pros debut, all having earned their IFBB Pro Cards just last year in 2025. Odel Cato turned in the strongest professional debut, advancing all the way to the final round and finishing within the top 10 in the Men’s Physique division. Fellow first-time pros Grantley Charles and Renaldo Parkes also held their own against some of the most decorated bodybuilding professionals in the world, turning in competitive showings in their debut professional outings.

    In comments following the team’s return, GBBWF publicly praised every member of Team Grenada for the extraordinary discipline, relentless determination, and exemplary sportsmanship they displayed while representing the country on the regional international stage. The federation also extended special acknowledgment to key sponsors and supporters, including Grenada’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, Fit for Life, and Mitchell’s Health and Wellness, as well as the broader community of fans and well-wishers who have consistently backed the team’s efforts.

    This report is credited to NOW Grenada, which notes that it is not responsible for opinions or statements shared by third-party contributors.

  • Law Passed, But Protection System Still Not Active

    Law Passed, But Protection System Still Not Active

    In November 2025, Belize’s Parliament passed a landmark piece of legislation aimed at closing critical gaps in access to emergency protection for domestic violence survivors. The reform promised faster, more accessible intervention by allowing specially trained Senior Justices of the Peace (JPs) to issue urgent short-term protection orders during periods when formal courts are closed — including weekends and public holidays, when incidents of domestic violence often spike and survivors have historically been left without immediate legal recourse. But half a year after the bill was signed into law, the entire system has yet to be activated, leaving vulnerable people waiting for the protections they were promised.

    The rollout of the new framework has stalled at the first critical step: the mandatory specialized training for qualified senior JPs has not yet begun, according to leaders of Belize’s official JP association. NGO Senator Janelle Chanona has publicly raised alarm over the delay, warning that the urgent gaps in the domestic violence justice system the law was meant to fix remain unaddressed six months on.

    Adrian “Danny” Madrid, president of the Association of Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of the High Court, outlined the multiple barriers holding up implementation in an interview. He explained that this initiative is unprecedented in Belize, requiring careful navigation of new regulatory and operational structures that do not fit the country’s existing justice system model.

    Currently, Belize has more than 3,000 active JPs across the country, but only a small fraction meet the strict eligibility requirements to serve as senior JPs with the new authority to issue protection orders. Under the law, JPs must complete a minimum of 10 years of service to be considered for senior status, in addition to holding an unblemished police record. Even eligible candidates must complete intensive specialized training before they can begin handling domestic violence cases, a step that has yet to get off the ground.

    Madrid noted that the strict eligibility and training rules are intentional: senior JPs will be stepping into high-stakes, often dangerous situations when courts are unavailable, effectively taking on the role of sitting magistrates for emergency protection orders. Beyond regulatory barriers, however, the program faces a more immediate challenge: widespread hesitation among qualified senior JPs to take on the new role, driven by fears for personal safety.

    “One of the first things that some of them will tell you is, ‘I’m afraid because suppose I am with this person who is reporting a domestic violence act, and then the person who did the violence comes to me and then beat me and the person up,’” Madrid shared.

    To mitigate these safety concerns, program planners have structured all interactions under the new system to take place at official police stations, where survivors and JPs will have immediate access to law enforcement protection. Moving forward, the intensive required training is expected to be led jointly by Belize’s Ministry of Domestic Violence and the Attorney General’s Ministry once logistics are finalized, though no firm timeline for the start of training or full activation of the system has been announced.

  • Charles wins silver at Boyce Bodybuilding Classic in Barbados

    Charles wins silver at Boyce Bodybuilding Classic in Barbados

    One of Saint Lucia’s top competitive bodybuilders, Kirby Charles, has added another major accolade to his growing list of achievements, bringing home a silver medal from the 2026 Roger Boyce Classic and IFBB Pro World Cup hosted at Barbados’ Garfield Sobers Complex. Charles secured second place in the hotly contested men’s physique division, marking the latest addition to his multi-year streak of podium finishes across regional elite bodybuilding competitions.

    In an official press statement celebrating the athlete’s win, the Saint Lucia Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (SLABBFA) praised Charles’ performance as nothing short of outstanding. Currently training out of Mango Moon Gym, Charles already holds multiple national championship titles in his home country. The regional governing body highlighted that the competitor showcased extraordinary physical conditioning, symmetrical muscle development, unwavering discipline, and commanding stage presence throughout the tournament.

    SLABBFA President Eugene Gabriel emphasized that Charles’ latest podium finish is a historic milestone for Saint Lucian bodybuilding, noting that the result stands as a powerful testament to the athlete’s relentless commitment, strict discipline, and enduring passion for the sport. Competing against the highest-caliber athletes from around the globe at a premier IFBB World Cup event, Gabriel explained that Charles’ second-place finish cements Saint Lucia’s growing reputation as a competitive force on the international fitness stage. Beyond his own success, Gabriel added that Charles has now set a new benchmark of excellence that emerging local athletes can aspire to match.

    Charles’ consistent success on the regional circuit dates back years: between 2022 and 2025 alone, he claimed three medals at the Central American and Caribbean Championships, proving his ability to perform at a high level across multiple major competitions. Widely recognized as the largest bodybuilding and fitness event in the Eastern Caribbean, this year’s iteration of the Roger Boyce Classic drew roughly 300 top-tier competitors from local, regional, and international backgrounds, creating one of the most competitive fields the tournament has ever hosted.

  • After 24 Years, Belize Central Prison Gets a New CEO

    After 24 Years, Belize Central Prison Gets a New CEO

    A historic leadership transition has concluded at one of Belize’s most important correctional facilities, bringing a close to nearly a quarter-century of steady governance. After 24 years at the helm, Virgilio Murillo has stepped down as chief executive of the Kolbe Foundation, the non-governmental entity that manages Belize Central Prison through a long-standing public-private partnership with the national government. On May 19, 2026, George Gomez officially assumed the role of CEO, marking a new chapter for the country’s largest correctional institution.

    The handover between the two leaders did not happen abruptly. It was the final outcome of a carefully planned four-month transition process designed to ensure continuity of operations and a smooth transfer of responsibilities. Both the Ministry of Home Affairs and Enterprise and the Kolbe Foundation’s Board of Directors have publicly lauded Murillo’s transformative impact on the prison system over his 24-year tenure. Under his leadership, the facility saw widespread reforms that improved both institutional management and inmate conditions, reshaping what was once considered a struggling correctional system into one aligned with modern correctional practices.

    Moving forward, Gomez has made clear that his core priorities as the new CEO will center on expanding evidence-based rehabilitation programs and strengthening reintegration support for incarcerated individuals preparing to rejoin society after completing their sentences. To preserve institutional memory and ensure ongoing access to Murillo’s decades of expertise, the foundation has named him CEO Emeritus. He will remain actively involved with the organization in the new role of Special Advisor to the Board of Directors, providing guidance and insight as the new leadership pursues its reform agenda. This transition reflects the foundation’s commitment to balancing institutional continuity with forward-looking progress in correctional services.

  • Belize’s Economy is Valued at US $3 Billion

    Belize’s Economy is Valued at US $3 Billion

    On May 20, 2026, the World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors greenlit a new five-year Country Partnership Framework that maps out a collaborative path with Belize’s government to drive private sector-led economic expansion across the small Central American-Caribbean nation.

    Per World Bank data, Belize’s total gross domestic product currently sits at roughly US$3 billion, marking meaningful progress in macroeconomic stability after years of targeted government policy reforms. In recent years, the country has cut its public debt-to-GDP ratio sharply from 103% down to 62%, while unemployment has dropped to an unprecedented 2.1% — a historic low for the nation. Economic activity has also rebounded strongly from recent global shocks, positioning Belize for further expansion if persistent structural and climate-related risks can be addressed.

    The largest pillar of Belize’s economy, tourism, accounts for nearly 50% of total national output, but the sector remains exceptionally exposed to the accelerating impacts of climate change. Ongoing degradation of Belize’s iconic barrier reef, a top global tourist attraction and critical natural infrastructure, poses direct threats to not only tourism but also commercial fishing and agricultural production. Reef damage also amplifies the country’s vulnerability to storm surges and other climate-fueled extreme weather events that can derail economic activity.

    To tackle these climate risks, the new partnership framework allocates World Bank financing to upgrade critical public infrastructure: improving drinking water systems, expanding sanitation access, overhauling waste management practices, and supporting climate-resilient agricultural techniques, with a specific focus on vulnerable coastal communities that bear the brunt of climate impacts. The strategy also outlines a goal to position Belize as a key transportation and trade hub connecting the Caribbean region and mainland Central America, unlocking new cross-border economic opportunities.

    Energy security represents another core priority of the new partnership. The World Bank notes that despite a nearly 50% jump in peak energy demand over the past decade, Belize has not added significant new domestic electricity generation capacity, and currently imports half of its power through volatile global spot markets. This leaves the country exposed to extreme price swings and supply disruptions. To resolve this gap, the framework supports policy overhauls for the energy sector, upgrades to national electricity grid management, and creates new incentives to attract private sector investment in domestic energy generation.

    The plan also confronts long-standing labor market challenges, including a widespread shortage of skilled workers and a stark gender participation gap. As of mid-2025, less than 50% of working-age women were active in the labor force (either employed or actively seeking work), compared to nearly 75% of working-age men. World Bank analysis identifies unequal responsibility for unpaid childcare as one of the primary drivers of this persistent gap.

    To close this divide, the strategy allocates funding for expanded investment in early childhood education and affordable childcare services in low-income and underserved communities. This investment is designed to remove barriers that keep women out of the workforce or from pursuing further education and professional training, boosting inclusive economic growth across the country.

    Belizean Prime Minister John Briceño expressed strong support for the new partnership, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to building on recent economic gains while expanding opportunity for all Belizeans. “This partnership with the World Bank Group will support us in that effort,” Briceño said.

    Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Director for the Caribbean, emphasized the institution’s long-term commitment to Belize’s development trajectory, saying “The World Bank Group is steadfast in supporting Belize’s next phase of growth.” The full strategy will pool resources from four key World Bank Group institutions — the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Development Association (IDA), International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) — under a coordinated “One World Bank Group” delivery model.