Belmopan, May 16, 2024.
Mr. Leroy Martinez, Economist, and Mr. Jason Middleton, Senior Project Officer of the Climate Finance Unit, Ministry of Economic Development, are participating in the Second Technical Dialogue of the Regional Climate Change Platform of Economy and Finance Ministries in Puerto Varas, Chile, for the period of May 15-17, 2024.
At the opening of the event, Mr. Leroy Martinez, on behalf of the Government of Belize, was pleased to announce that our nation will be hosting the Third High-Level Dialogue of the Regional Platform on August 30-31, 2024, in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Ministers of Economy and Finance from 26 Latin American and Caribbean countries are expected to participate in the meeting to chart the strategic course for the Regional Platform, aiming to fortify and amplify the attained outcomes.
Both officials also had the opportunity to discuss the ongoing green bond gap initiative and the commencement of a fiscal policy for climate change that will aid the Government of Belize in assessing its fiscal risks associated with climate change, thus enforcing fiscal incentives for such.
They also conveyed their gratitude to the Government of Chile, currently holding the platform’s pro tempore presidency, and the Inter-American Development Bank, serving as the platform’s technical secretariat. They expressed appreciation for their hospitality, continued support for Belize, and the opportunity to participate in this crucial platform for knowledge sharing and innovative financial mechanisms.
The Regional Climate Change Platform of Economy and Finance Ministries of Latin America and the Caribbean is a unique space for knowledge exchange and collaboration that aims to support the ministries in the search for expertise, experiences, and concrete solutions to address the fiscal and socioeconomic challenges associated with climate change, and sustainable development in the regions. Created at the initiative of the governors of the IDB during the 2021 Annual Meeting in Barranquilla and officially launched in 2022, the platform is composed of and led by 26 regional IDB member countries, which represent over 98% of the greenhouse gas emissions of Latin America and the Caribbean and over 90% of its GDP.
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For more information, contact:
Mr. Carlos Pol
Director, Climate Finance Unit
Ministry of Economic Development
Carlos.pol@med.gov.bz
Mr. Leroy Martinez
Economist
Ministry of Economic Development
Leroy.martinez@med.gov.bz