Belize advances Mesoamerica's 30x30 conservation agenda at COP17

Orlando Habet, the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Minister, led the Belize delegation to the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Belize reaffirmed its commitment to biodiversity conservation and advanced discussions on the Mesoamerica’s 30x30 agenda. The country noted that its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2025–2035 estimates a requirement of approximately US$137 million for implementation.

Belize called on developed countries to fulfill commitments and provide adequate financing, capacity-building, and technology transfer to meet conservation goals. The country highlighted its national conservation achievements, including having approximately 40 per cent of its land territory within protected areas. The push for biodiversity financing relates to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.