Belize

A protected area has been planned to safeguard Red Bank macaws, but community responses have been mixed due to concerns over local benefits and proposed measures like entrance fees and tour operator contributions

A $500.000 fast-track residency program for foreign investors has been approved to attract capital and simplify bureaucracy, while maintaining its retirement visa scheme for older individuals with foreign income

Major gaps in services for children with disabilities have been revealed in a national analysis launched with UNICEF in Belize, highlighting the urgent need for inclusive policies despite progress under the 2024 Disability Act

Dangers and legal consequences of improper wastewater disposal have been reminded to the public; the nationwide notice highlights that untreated wastewater, sewage, greywaters, industrial effluent poses serious risks to public health and the environment

Investments in infrastructure, credit access, and labor force inclusion are expected to ease tourism bottlenecks, support private sector growth, and address one of the Caribbean's widest gender gaps in workforce participation

Belmopan hosted a UNESCO-supported workshop that has trained urban planners and cultural practitioners to integrate living heritage into sustainable urban development as the city updates its planning regulations

Belize, along with Barbados, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has signed a free movement deal allowing citizens to live and work in each other’s countries without visas or permits, expanding prior Caricom mobility rights

Westline has launched Belize’s first electric bus service under a government pilot project, deploying EU- and UN-backed buses on major highways to collect data on energy use and efficiency for future sustainable transit planning

Cabinet has discussed cannabis legalization but chosen not to take a position, leaving the decision to residents through an upcoming local referendum

The first case of New World screwworm in humans has been confirmed in Belize; though rare, it is a possible consequence of the spreading of screwworm infections affecting cattle since November 2024

A cashless e-bus ridership card has been launched in Belize City as part of an EU- and UNDP-backed pilot project to modernize public transport and improve payment efficiency through Digi Wallet integration

A new banknote series has been unveiled: with enhanced security features and culturally updated designs, it maintains the fixed exchange rate and encourages a smooth transition through local financial institutions