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Belize at Center of the Blue Economy Exchange Tonight, we’re talking about a big global conversation that’s all about protecting our oceans while growing our economies. Belize has teamed up with the African Union and the Global Water Partnership for what they’re calling a knowledge exchange. Sounds fancy, right? But here’s the simple version: it’s a massive brainstorming session to figure out how the Blue Economy can work for everyone. Think of the Blue Economy as a win-win, creating jobs and boosting income while keeping our marine ecosystems healthy. From sustainable fishing to smart ocean planning and even creative financing, this meeting is about turning big ideas into real action. Two major projects are driving this effort: the African SIDS Blue Economy Project and PROCARIBE+. And Belize is right in the mix, sharing ideas and learning from others on how to make this vision a reality. Here’s Shane Williams with the following story. Shane Williams, Reporting It’s called the Blue Economy, a vision where jobs and income thrive without harming marine ecosystems. Representatives from Belize, the African Union, and the Global Water Partnership are meeting under two Global Environment Facility funded projects: the African Small Island Development States Blue Economy Project and PROCARIBE. The exchange focuses on practical solutions, from sustainable fisheries to marine spatial planning. Carlie Gillett, Project Officer, Blue Economy “The main objective of these sessions really is for the two projects to learn about our work that we’re doing in the blue economy, especially as it relates to blue economy development, sustainable fisheries management and marine spatial planning as well as us to learn about what they’re doing in their respective works.” The collaboration is supported by the International Waters Learning Exchange and Resources Network, a global initiative that helps connect international waters projects. Sonia Gautreau, Sr. Project Officer UNDP “This twinning exchange is a collaboration between different GEF funded International Waters Project. We have also received some funding from the IW Learn, which is the kind of overarching project – knowledge exchange project finance by the GEF that provides some support to the different International Waters initiatives.” For African Small Island Developing States, the priority is building strong policies and frameworks to make the Blue Economy thrive across the continent. Shamiso Kumbrai, African SIDS Project “The African SIDS project is focusing in at the two different levels at the Pan-African level where we’re really looking at things like policy develop development, setting up frameworks as well as coordination mechanisms to support the implementation of blue economy across all six of the SIDS. But we also then have a second component that’s looking in at these pilot demonstration projects and it’s particularly also why we wanted to come out to Belize, number one, to see the work that’s being done specifically by Tide and get a better sense of what on the ground implementation looks like.” Belize’s vision is clear: a healthy ocean that supports both the economy and culture. Samir Rosado, MSP Process Lead, CZMAI “The vision for the planet itself is a healthy, resilient, and equitably shared ocean that supports a thriving national economy and nurtures the culture and wellbeing of all Belizean. So it goes back to the definition of MSP in that we want to support our national economy, but we also want to nurture culture and wellbeing of all Belizeans.” The knowledge exchange wraps up later this week, but the ideas shared could shape ocean policy for years to come. Shane Williams, reporting for News Five.
