Belmopan, December 5, 2024.
The Ministry of Economic Development (MED) hosted a stakeholder engagement for the concept note, “Belize’s E-Mobility and Logistics Transformation (BELT),” developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Transport (MYST), the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics and E-Governance (MPUELE), and the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), with guidance from the United Nations Development (UNDP) through its pilot project. This significant event took place on Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Belize City, and featured remarks from the Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Youth, Sports and Transport.
The concept note represents a pivotal step in Belize’s transition toward sustainable and modern transportation solutions. It outlines plans to scale up E-mobility by integrating electric buses (e-buses) into the country’s public transportation system nationwide.
The main objectives of the stakeholder engagement session were:
- Provide an overview of the current works under the E-Mobility Pilot project, implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
- Provide insights into the main components and outputs of the BELT Concept, and effectively enable an environment that fosters the transition from fuel-based buses to electric mobility through policies, legislation, infrastructure, sustainable financing, incentive programs, and energy sustainability.
- Integrating low-carbon emissions technology and systems into Belize’s public transportation sector
- Institutional strengthening and technical capacity development to key players within the industry.
- Give opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback on the transport roadmap that Belize envisions and explore the integration of e-buses into public transportation, enhancing reliability, safety, comfort, efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
The stakeholder engagement session is funded by the Green Climate Fund under the readiness and preparatory support project, “Building Capacity for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure and Sustainable Urban Land Management and Strengthening the Capacity of the Ministry of Economic Development for pre-Accreditation to the Green Climate Fund.” PACT serves as the delivery partner, while the MED is the executing entity.
Stakeholders present included, bus owners, the Bus Owners Association, the Development Finance Corporation, Belize Bank Limited, the National Bank of Belize, the Inter-American Development Bank, Belize Electricity Ltd, the Public Utilities Commission, the Ministry of Youths, Sports and Transport, the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics and E-Governance, the Ministry of Economic Development, the United Nations Development Programme, Caribbean Motors Ltd., and Evolution Ltd.
This initiative underscores Belize’s commitment to fostering innovative, sustainable transportation solutions that align with global trends and national development priorities. The concept note will be finalized and submitted to the Green Climate Fund for consideration.
Ends
For more information, please contact:
Carlos Pol
A.g. Chief Executive Officer
Ministry of Economic Development carlos.pol@med.gov.bz
