Belize assumes regional Environmental Presidency, sets 8 priorities for CCAD

By Zoila Palma:  Belize has officially assumed the Pro Tempore Presidency (PPT) of the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD), the regional environmental institution of the Central American Integration System (SICA), with a call for stronger regional cooperation to address environmental challenges that cross national borders. Belize took over the presidency on July 1, 2026. At the LXXV Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Environment of Central America and the Dominican Republic, being held at the Best Western Biltmore Plaza in Belize City, Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management Orlando Habet outlined Belize’s eight environmental priorities for its term. The meeting brings together environment ministers and senior technical representatives from eight CCAD member countries to coordinate policies and advance regional responses to environmental and climate challenges. Belize’s agenda will focus on integrated water resource management, biodiversity management, aligning the Mesoamerican Environmental Sustainability Strategy with the Regional Environmental Framework, climate change and integrated risk management with emphasis on loss and damage, sargassum management, solid waste management, chemical and pesticide management, and wildlife protection. The priorities recognize the interconnected nature of issues such as water scarcity, food security, climate-related hazards, sargassum impacts on tourism and fisheries, and the protection of coastal communities. The meeting also addressed major regional initiatives, including the Regional Environmental Framework (ERAM) 2026-2035, which establishes joint priorities across environmental quality, forests, seas and biodiversity, integrated water resources management, and climate change, as well as the launch of operations for the Ridge to Reef/Cuenca al Mar project. The post Belize assumes regional Environmental Presidency, sets 8 priorities for CCAD appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.