Doctor Kenrick Williams, the C.E.O. of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, is currently in Baku, Azerbaijan. On Thursday, he took the stage at COP29 to highlight the devastating and irreversible effects of climate change on Small Island Developing States like Belize. He passionately called for climate justice and equity, stressing the urgent need for fair treatment and support for these vulnerable nations.
Dr. Kenrick Williams, C.E.O., Ministry of Sustainable Development
“While we gather here, the climate emergency continues to tighten its grip on vulnerable nations like Belize, continuously and consistently eroding any progress we make. Every day, our communities are experiencing and living the escalated impact of the climate emergency. Irreversible impacts unfold with each increasing fraction of a degree, magnifying the devastation while every moment of inaction exacts a toll on lives, ecosystems and livelihoods. Every climate disaster serves as a profound reminder. Adaptation investment is not a luxury nor is it a charity; rather, it is indispensable for our survival. Like other SIDS, we face unique vulnerabilities with limited capacity to adopt. Just this past Sunday, Tropical Storm Sara made landfall in Belize, bringing intense rainfall, widespread flooding, and threatening the livelihoods of our people. Coupled with the most severe wildfires this year, and Hurricane Lisa in 2023, the aggregate loss and damage stands over two hundred million dollars, or over six percent of GDP in just two years. Regrettably, this cycle of loss and damage occurs much too often. This is why we need doubling of adaptation finance and we need fast-tracking of loss and damage finance. Belize, a small nation with an overwhelming stake in this crisis, stands here, not just with words, but with the weight of our people’s future. Our position is clear: climate justice and equity must prevail.”
The pressure is on for Belize’s own Halima Hoy as she gets ready to take the Miss Universe stage for the finals on Saturday. This year’s pageant, held in Mexico City, will see women from all over the world competing for the crown. As the big day approaches, we caught up with her Belizean support team in Mexico City to hear how they’re feeling as the excitement builds.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
The Miss Universe 2024 Pageant is underway, and people around the world are eagerly watching their contestant, hoping for a win. This year, Belizean beauty, Halima Hoy, is shining on the big stage. We caught up with Destinee Arnold, the National Director of Miss Universe Belize, for an update on how the competition is going so far.
Destinee Arnold
Destinee Arnold, National Director, Miss Universe Belize
“I am just elated with all of the support that we have been getting from our countrymen, and I am so proud of Halima for continuing to fight that good fight and leaving her all on that stage. It is my job to make sure that she is well prepared and putting her best foot forward during the competition and not pageant night to be her moral support to be there for her in times of need to provide that insight. Of course, I will be reviewing her performance from last night and helping her work out any kinks that I noticed. And we are just going to continue to fight and push forward so that we finish off stronger.”
Also joining Hoy in Mexico is her husband, Arthur Hoy. He feels a wave of emotion as he watches his wife’s hard work finally pay off.
Arthur Hoy
Arthur Hoy, Halima’s Husband
“Her job was Monday to Sunday, and it even took her away from Houston where we currently reside and she was living in Belize. So for the past couple of months my wife was for Belize and she still is Belize, but we’re in a great mental space. We are so proud of her. Her performance last night was very emotional for us. We, as a, with her, I was sitting with her team and we all got teary eyed when she came out because she looked so beautiful. She performed and she really made us proud.”
Despite the overwhelming love and support, Hoy and her team have faced some accusations. In a now-deleted Instagram post, they were accused of paying for Hoy’s placement in the pageant. Arnold finds these accusations to be completely unfounded.
Destinee Arnold
“For me, it’s honestly quite laughable that they would think that we would pay for placement. Pageantry is not a cheap venture, and we don’t get into pageantry Hoping to make money. It’s definitely a passion project, but we’re trying to change that perspective. We’re not trying to continue to allow pageantry to be a money pit. And one thing that I love about the new Miss universe organization, they want their national directors to contribute. In their ventures and their Miss Universe products, and that’s what we’re doing.”
She explains that the goal of the Miss Universe Belize franchise is to grow the industry and create new opportunities for Belizeans.
Destinee Arnold
“We are trying to introduce the Miss Universe projects in our country of Belize so that we bring in that that pageantry industry, because it’s a very lucrative industry. If you play your cards that’s not paying for placement. That’s being smart. That’s bringing another economic revenue to our country. That’s creating jobs. It’s creating a product. And if you cannot join in the celebration or join in the work to bring that to police, then, I’m okay with you not sitting at the table with us.”
On stage, Hoy unveiled her stunning national costume, a beautiful tribute to Belize’s Mayan roots. Arnold hopes that Belizeans can set aside the negativity and continue to shower Hoy with love and support as she strives to make Belize proud.
Destinee Arnold
“You can go to the choicely app and for her there is a fan vote for the top thirty, or you can just share her pictures, comment on the miss universe post that has Halima on it with your flag. Sending Halima sweet messages that are encouraged her because we are the fuel that drives her when she’s on stage. So we have to keep that energy going.”
The International Miss Earth Pageant has wrapped up, and Belize’s own Morgan Miles is back home. This pageant gives young women a stage to voice their concerns about environmental and social issues. Today, News Five’s Britney Gordon caught up with Miles as she returned from the Philippines.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
When people think of pageantry, they often picture stunning dresses and high heels. But for those in the know, pageantry is all about having a platform. Every contestant vying for the Miss Earth 2024 crown is championing an important environmental cause. Today, Belize’s own Morgan Miles returned from the Philippines after a month of competing.
Morgan Miles
Morgan Miles, Miss Earth Belize
“I think one of the things that I definitely took over there was my heritage and my pride that I have for Belize. Belize is so culturally diverse and there is just so much hidden jewels and hidden adventures and things that Belize has to offer. And so I took especially my advocacy conservation and sustainability over there and I got to share that with everyone over there on the international stage and that was just mind-blowing.”
While the Miss Earth Pageant might not have the same global fame as some other pageants, it champions equally important causes. Contestants are all about promoting green living, sustainable development, and a cleaner future. Morgan Miles, Belize’s representative, has always loved the outdoors, with hobbies like fishing and canoeing. She never saw herself as a pageant queen, but she stepped out of her comfort zone because she truly believes in the platform she represents.
Morgan Miles
“My passion for the environment and sustainability and conservation has all really come together and kind of created one with the pageant because me, by profession, I am a sustainable farmer. I own Fat Farmer, where I supply different health foods, restaurants, and hotels with packaged whole chickens. And then I also stand for conservation in the fly-fishing industry in Belize. So I really want to bring more awareness of these things and why there’s a need for it, not only in Belize but worldwide.”
Joining her on this incredible journey was Mia-Paige Miles, the Director of the Miss Earth Belize Pageant and Morgan’s sister. She shared that one of the most rewarding parts of the experience was seeing her sister shine as her true self on an international stage.
Mia-Paige Miles
Mia-Paige Miles, Director, Miss Earth Belize
“So, seeing Belize on an international stage, our small country, Belize, represents itself very largely when we go abroad. So seeing Morgan, especially both personally and professionally, seeing her on the stage showing her advocacy was something that hit close to home. And I’m glad that we could have shared that with everybody.”
Morgan’s reign will last for a year, and during this time, the team hopes the Miss Earth Pageant will keep growing and draw in more supporters. Even though she didn’t win the coveted title, Morgan is determined to use her platform to inspire other young girls to get involved in conservation and believe they can be the change they want to see.
Morgan Miles
“I think just being a role model now that I am is something that blows my mind, continues to blow my mind daily. I myself never thought that I would have been a pageant queen, but I really put myself out there and I just want to encourage a younger generation, the youth, to be who you are. Stand up for you, who you are. If you believe in conservation, sustainability, these are the things that we need to start portraying more. Bring out your inner personality, inner you, and just show off the least of the best of your ability.”
COP29 is in full swing in Azerbaijan, and it’s all about setting new goals for climate finance and making sure every country can ramp up their climate action. Belize has been sending its top technical experts and government officials to these conferences for years, and this year is no exception. We caught up with the Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet, who is gearing up to head out on Friday to join the action at COP29.
Orlando Habet
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
“In this case I have not been able to go. I had to stay for this house meeting, so I will be leaving on Friday. The last week is when most of the negotiations will reach the stage when it cant go further based on the negotiators then they will call in the high level which will be the ministers or the prime ministers if they are there. So, my responsibility, apart from Belize, is that I have been selected to championing the cause for AOSIS and CARICOM and CARICOM is also considered the small island developing states, so we are members of AOSIS. So, our jobs would be to still seek out the possibility of advancing the NCQG to see how we can upscale the finances coming through for climate change and make certain that we try to get as much as possible. As you realized their past finance goal was a hundred billion per year, now countries are saying that is not enough, we have taken too long, so we are trying to see how else we can do it.”
Last month, leaders from around the globe converged in Cali, Colombia for COP16. The summit aimed to ramp up biodiversity protection and secure twenty billion dollars in funding for preservation efforts. Unfortunately, many participants fell short, raising only about four hundred million dollars—far from the ambitious target. Today, we caught up with the Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet, who shared his thoughts on the conference. He acknowledged that while not all goals were met, it wasn’t a complete failure.
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
“If you look at what you go for, And it all depends on how much time you spend. you can get back something. At the global level some people are disappointed because COP16 didn’t produce what they wanted, especially the twenty billion that everybody’s looking for. But I think there are certain solutions that came about for those who were seeking country level support. I think many of them got some. I think for Belize, we got a few commitments as a region with CARICOM also, and as a region with Central America SICA, we also got some. Looking at the Climate Change COP which is much bigger being held in Baku, in Azerbaijan the Climate Change COP to me, is a little bit more commercial. It’s larger, it’s very impersonal, and so you really have to go there with focus on what you want to achieve. For me though, at all the COPs, I try to make certain that we have some bilateral meetings. With Norway, with the U. S., with Canada, and so that you can have additional sources for projects, apart from what the Climate Change Fund will do. Success stories for Belize, for example, our CEO is on the adaptation fund board, on the global adaptation fund board. We were able in the last year or so to be able to bring about eighteen million for adaptation projects in Belize. We have projects with the GCF, the Green Climate Fund, which we are pursuing. PACT is the accredited agency, so we are trying to see how we can locate some funds for certain projects. There are several projects in the pipeline which we are trying to get along with the support from the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Finance. And so, we can’t just leave it alone. We have to continue pursuing it so that then at the end we can get the funding that we are looking for.”
In just a few days, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, will kick off. This event brings together global leaders to discuss strategies for boosting climate resilience and holding themselves accountable for past environmental promises. This year, Belize is sending a small delegation, including Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelardo Mai. We spoke with Minister of Sustainable Development Orlando Habet, who shared that the focus of the conference will be on increasing access to funding. Here’s more on that.
Orlando Habet, Minister of Climate Change
“One of the main focus areas for COP 29 will be financing and the one hundred billion that was promised some years ago finally accordingly reached in 2022. But we are looking for a much more than that the top is in the trillions of dollars. I will be leading AOSIS and CARICOM. In the new collective quantified goal, which is trying to see how these developed countries fulfill their commitments based on the Paris Agreement that says that developed countries are to provide the funding for developing countries. As AOSIS, as Caribbean, because we are small, considered small island developing states, we are highest in vulnerability to climate change. And so we are also looking for them to consider our vulnerabilities as part of the consideration for the funding. But we also had some success in the previous cup where the loss and damage fund was approved. It’s somewhere a little bit over four hundred million. We want to see how at this couple can increase. The president of COP 29 that they will try to see how in the first week you can try to scale up that funding. And so if we are around the table, we can start negotiating.”
The Government of Belize is seriously worried about the recent move by sixteen donor countries to stop funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees. This agency is crucial for providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians, especially those in Gaza who are caught in the conflict. The United Nations has sounded the alarm, warning that famine could soon hit Gaza, putting the lives of over two million people at risk due to this funding cut. Today, Minister Fonseca echoed the government’s plea, urging these countries to rethink their decision and continue their support. It’s a critical moment, and Belize is standing up for those in need.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade
“We felt an absolute obligation, duty and obligation to make a very strong statement on this issue condemning Israel’s actions. This is an organization that, um, you know, serves the needs of the people, uh, Palestinian refugees, migrants, um, you know. Absolutely, it is, I think, wrong headed for Israel to take this position. Um, so we wanted to make it very clear where we stood, uh, in terms of the importance of this organization to ensuring, um, you know, the health and safety and wellness and dignity of the Palestinian people. Um, so we hope that, you know, the international community will join with Belize in condemning this latest action by Israel Um, and work to ensure that that happens. The organization is restored and is able to continue its work in Gaza.”
Belize: The Caribbean Beat in the heart of Central America – many of us grew up hearing this catchy phrase on Radio Belize. But how much does Belize benefit from this identity? You’d think that being part of both the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Central American Integration Organization (SICA) would help Belize forge strong trade relationships and get more of our products into the export market. That’s exactly what we discussed with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade today, as the Belize City Council proudly raised the flags of twenty-two countries and territories that are part of these two organizations. News Five’s Marion Ali has the story.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Raising the flags of CARICOM and SICA member countries at the flagmonument at the Northern entrance to Belize City was a powerful symbol of the unity and partnership Belize shares with these organizations. This act celebrates our fifty years with CARICOM and twenty-six years with SICA. Today, Mayor Bernard Wagner highlighted this symbolism, proudly showcasing our connection with these regions at the city’s northern gateway.
Bernard Wagner
Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City
“Today we certainly rededicate a monument that carries not just the colors and symbols of the Caribbean and Central America regions, but also the spirit of unity, the spirit of pride, the spirit of friendship shared across our region. Today we stand at the Belize City Flag Monument, a twenty-four-year-old gift from Barclays Bank that once served Belize, now finding new life as we restore its original tradition and significance.”
But how much has this symbolism and these partnerships benefited Belize, in terms of trading our products with them? Month after month, reports from the Statistical Institute of Belize highlight a clear imbalance between our imports and exports – we bring in way more than we send out. So, after the flag-raising ceremony, we asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade how the symbolism of our memberships in CARICOM and SICA can translate into real economic benefits. He said that as far as CARICOM is concerned, the support has been more political in the past, but that Belize is now seeking economic growth through that link.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Min. of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade
“Because of their strong commitment to Belize’s self-government, to Belize’s independence, to Belize’s territorial integrity, to our right to self-determination, CARICOM has been a seamless block of support in terms of that effort for Belize, so political development has been really the priority, I think, for many, many years. Now I think, over the past decade or so, I think there has been a renewed effort on Belize’s part to look at economic development. How can we benefit economically from these regional organizations? And that’s where I think we have a real opportunity, and we have been working very aggressively on that issue over the past few years here in Belize.”
Fonseca mentioned that similar efforts are underway to boost our economic benefits from SICA. He highlighted a trade and investment delegation to Guatemala, led by Prime Minister John Briceno in August of this year. He suggested that distance might be our biggest hurdle with CARICOM, while with SICA, the challenge could be the language barrier.
Francis Fonseca
“Maybe it was a language barrier, but definitely I don’t believe that we have made a concerted effort to engage with SICA. I’ve done a lot of work with CARICOM, and of course distance is an issue, really it is very far, and so it, the cost of trade is increased. We’re working to make sure that Belize joins these regional organizations like SIECA, which is like the economic arm of SICA, and other organizations, that will allow us to be at the table to engage in meaningful dialogue, discussions about economic development and investment.”
And if the discussions go in our favour, Belize could expect to export more agricultural products to these regions and also attract tourists from them as well, Fonseca said.
Francis Fonseca
“These markets are big. For example, in Guatemala, we have seventeen million people. In terms of chicken and beef, poultry and beef, markets for our grains, markets as well for in terms of tourism, we’re always looking at these countries.”
Mayor Wagner said that the flags will be flown year-round, except for the month of September. Marion Ali for News Five.
The big day is here! Americans are heading to the polls to choose their next leader. This election isn’t just about the U.S.—its outcome will ripple across smaller developing countries and those with diplomatic ties. To see how Belizeans think the results will affect Belize, News Five’s Britney Gordon hit the streets of Belize City. Here’s what she found out.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
For many Belizeans, today might feel like just another Tuesday in November. But for Americans everywhere, it’s a pivotal day that will shape their country’s future for the next four years and beyond. It’s the final chance for Americans to vote and decide who will be the next president of the United States. This year’s contenders are Kamala Harris from the Democratic Party and Donald Trump from the Republican Party. Earlier today, we chatted with some Belizeans to see if they’re following the election. Some were very keen on the outcome, while others weren’t as concerned.
Tony Anthony
Tony Anthony, Belizean
“Yes, I’m keeping up with it and what really happened, I ride from Lemonal village, where I live, with my son-in-law. And all that we was talking about is the US election. But he say, man, if you tell me that Trump is in the lead, you go piss me off. I go crash this vehicle. I don’t want Trump in the lead. He want Kamala Harris win.”
Britney Gordon
“So what do you think is the best way to stay informed right now?”
Tony Anthony
“The best way to stay informed, if you have a phone, you click onto YouTube and hit the news about election.”
MIK
MIK, Belizean
“We right here, we keeping up to the elections.”
Britney Gordon
“How are you staying informed?”
MIK
“Well, I’m on the news logging in every day. I’m watching all the election go pass and everything that’s moving. So you know that right now we just want somebody strong coming to power. And get back we Belizeans ney home. Ney one weh need fi come home.”
Leah Myers
Leah Myers, Belizean
“To be completely honest, I’m not. That’s not really much of my business, but I do have family across there. I’m not sure if they’re keeping up to date with it either because we haven’t discussed or spoke about it. But I’ve seen, a couple of videos and people voting and I’ve seen that people are voting for the female to come in. But I’m not sure, I’m not really looking into it like that.”
While the political climate in the U.S. might not be a top concern for some Belizeans, it’s a different story for the estimated one hundred thousand Belizeans living there. Many are anxious about the wellbeing of their family and friends who now call America home.
Tony Anthony
“I’m concerned about it because some people say that Trump is a nonsense man and Kamala Harris has got a little black blood, Haitian blood, going up against a white man. The last time Trump been in, he mi di deal with a lot of immigrants. And you can’t stop immigrants. People got to live. You know a lot of Belizeans weh deh ova soh and a lot of other countries we deh dah America. They take America as their savior country, U.S. dollars, yeah.”
Britney Gordon
“So do you have family in the states that you’re worried about?”
Tony Anthony
“I got a lot of family. A lot of family I got. Sisters, nephews, aunts.”
Mark Peyrefitte
Mark Peyrefitte, Belizean
“The candidates, when they speak, certain things come out of their mouths. The first thing they will do when they come to office, Trump say what, what he will be the biggest. deportation of migrants and Belizean people, so Belizean people or whoever over America, they need to take this serious. Because if they choose that guy again, they’re going backwards. And to make it better, worse for them, they’re going home.”
The election also sets the stage for diplomatic relations between Belize and the United States. During Trump’s presidency, he didn’t appoint a U.S. ambassador to Belize. It wasn’t until the Biden administration that Michelle Kwan took on the role as the current ambassador to Belize. Belize and the U.S. collaborations have also increased through the Central America Regional Security Initiative Economic Support Fund (CARSI-ESF). CARSI annually supports civil society and good governance initiatives in Belize with funding from the United States government.
Gary Matus
Gary Matus, Belizean
“The election is be the same thing. I all want the world. Everybody have to suffer. If Trump come inna power, everybody have to cry. You know, they are legalize everybody, deport everybody back da ney country. Everybody have to work for for surviving. Can’t survive. We can’t even eat. I have to pray for God and everything to give the strength of Jesus Christ and everybody have to start to believe in Jesus.”
Police were at the home of independent legislator Asot Michael, who wastragically found dead this morning in a pool of blood at his Saint John’s, Antigua residence. Authorities have yet to release a statement about the discovery of the Member of Parliament for Saint Peter, but his death has sent shockwaves throughout the nation. Crowds gathered outside his Dry Hill home on the outskirts of the capital. Born on December twenty-first, 1969, in Guadeloupe, Michael had previously served as a minister under Prime Minister Gaston Browne. He ran as an independent candidate in the January 2023 general election after parting ways with the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party. Here’s a report from our colleagues at ABS News.
