The Government of Belize has convened its first-ever National Climate Finance Forum, bringing together senior officials, international development partners, and civil society to address the country’s climate financing gaps and outline pathways to unlock long-term, large-scale funding.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Christopher Coye, stressed that climate finance must be at the center of Belize’s economic strategy. He noted that the country’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) identify a financing gap of US$455 million for mitigation and US$480.3 million for adaptation over the next decade.
“Climate finance can no longer be treated as peripheral to national development, but must instead form a central pillar of Belize’s financial landscape,” Coye told the gathering. “Our task now is to seize opportunities, optimising our significant carbon asset base, pursuing blended climate finance, and transitioning from single projects to programmatic approaches that can deliver transformative change. This requires not only fiscal innovation but also strong partnerships with institutions like the Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund and Global Environmental Facility.”
Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Transformation, Osmond Martinez, highlighted the economic toll of climate change on Belize’s key sectors. “If we fail to align our development strategies with the realities of climate change, today’s villages and businesses may become tomorrow’s climate casualties. Our task is to ensure the story of our people is not one of loss, but one of resilience and opportunity,” he said.
Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management, Orlando Habet, underscored Belize’s vulnerability despite its low contribution to global emissions. “Belize has shown leadership through its Blue Bond, its bagasse-to-energy project, and its comprehensive NDC, but we cannot achieve our ambitions alone. We need partnerships that match our ambition; financing that matches our needs; and solidarity that recognises Belize’s frontline role,” he said.
The one-day forum featured high-level panels on aligning climate finance with adaptation goals, expanding access to international funds, and developing the next generation of bankable projects.
It concluded with commitments from both government and development partners to scale up access to concessional financing, strengthen institutions, and leverage innovative tools such as green bonds, resilience bonds, and carbon asset financing.
