Belize Targets Full Sustainable Management of Ocean Territory by 2030

Prime Minister John Briceño frames the commitment as a consolidation of existing efforts, including the country’s blue bonds and marine spatial planning, into a single national vision. By synchronizing government policies with scientific data and private sector participation, the initiative seeks to treat coral reefs and mangroves not merely as protected areas, but as vital economic infrastructure. This approach aims to secure livelihoods in tourism and fisheries while fortifying the coastline against climate-related threats.

Support from the Inter-American Development Bank remains central to this transition. The bank is assisting in the development of Nature Public-Private Partnerships, a financing model designed to attract capital to bankable blue economy projects. Gregory Watson, head of the IDB’s Biodiversity and Natural Capital Unit, noted that this phase reflects a deeper integration of natural capital into Belize’s broader development agenda. Under the IDB Belize Country Strategy 2026–2030, the government is linking marine protection with land-based improvements in sanitation, education, and energy to reduce the environmental pressure on coastal ecosystems.