Belize’s Ocean Deal Sparks Global Momentum

These bold marine conservation actions have the world watching Belize. That’s according to Osmany Salas from WWF, who says the spotlight is now on us. And with the Prime Minister’s recent trip to Mexico, where he signed a major biodiversity agreement, Salas believes Belize has a golden opportunity to boost both its ocean protection efforts and its economy. Here’s how he explains it.

 

Osmany Salas, WWF Lead, Belize Project Finance for Permanence

“Belize is a coastal ocean and its economy is largely nature based. So, what do we have, we have our blue economy, blue and green resources and it is contingent on everybody, from the upper echelons in power to the community and in between to manage and care for what we have. That is what we have, our reef system, we have the second largest in the world. That is what sets us apart. And, the world is watching this region. Not to take it away from marine discussion but just last week our prime minister and Mexico and Guatemala signed a Selva Maya cooperation agreement. Everything we do on land impact the sea, in particular Belize where it is a small nation and all our rivers empties into our nation. I think it behooves and it is responsible for us as a people to look at the big picture, because this is what we have.”