The governments of Guyana and Belize on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in the forest sector, a milestone in advancing regional integration and climate action.
The agreement, signed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, establishes a framework for collaboration in sustainable forest management, biodiversity protection, and climate resilience, while promoting joint research, technical training, and information sharing.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd, said the partnership brings together two heavily forested CARICOM states, positioning them to play a stronger role in regional and global environmental governance.
“Small states cannot do it alone. We need strong partnerships at the regional and multilateral levels,” Minister Todd noted, adding that the MoU signals a unified approach to addressing climate change while maintaining Guyana’s status as a net carbon sink.
Belize’s minister of sustainable development, Orlando Habet, described the agreement as “more than a document”, highlighting its roots in technical exchanges and collaboration between the two countries’ climate teams.
He said the partnership will focus on key areas such as Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems, REDD+ initiatives, and carbon market opportunities while strengthening conservation and resilience efforts.
The MoU builds on recent high-level engagements, including the January 2026 state visit by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali to Belize, and will be implemented over an initial five-year period through joint initiatives and a possible technical working group.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding their vast forest resources while leveraging natural assets to support sustainable development and future generations.