About us

• Date: 11/10/2009

MISSION STATEMENT:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs aims to formulate, coordinate and implement foreign policy initiatives, addressing the issue areas of Economy, Human and National Security, National Sovereignty and the preservation of Territorial Integrity. It is in this endeavor that the ministry enhances the quality of life of Belizeans through the proactive and effective promotion, protection and coordination of Belize’s interests in the bilateral, regional and multilateral diplomatic spheres.

POLICY FRAMEWORK:
The preservation and consolidation of national sovereignty and territorial integrity constitute the main frame of Belize’s foreign policy.

As Belize confronts the complex arena of foreign relations in our globalized world, the guiding principle of our Government of putting the wellfare of Belize and Belizeans first will enable us navigate our foreign relations successfully and ensure that our international relations enhance and protect our national interest, economic, social and territorial at all times. 

BELIZEAN DIPLOMACY:
A major area of diplomatic work has to do with Belize’s ongoing efforts to resolve the issue of Guatemala’s unfounded claim to Belizean territory. Latterly, this has increasingly engaged the involvement of the Secretariat of the Organization of American States along with redoubled initiatives to sustain the interest and support of the international community.

The thrust of our diplomacy in the current administration must also be driven by the priorities of the domestic agenda i.e.: fulfilling the need for adequate housing; creation of greater opportunities for employment; taking advantage of Belize’s competitive advantage as a tourist destination; attracting private investment; gaining fair terms of trade for Belize’s commodities; diversification of the agricultural sector; expansion of communications and transport infrastructure, food security; and enhanced delivery of social services.

To enable the Foreign Ministry to meet the challenges of the new thrust in our diplomacy, it is being strengthened with professionals who possess expertise in legal affairs, trade, investment counseling and promotion of tourism and economic development.

The basic principles which inform and guide the practice of Belizean diplomacy are those enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and in particular those which relate to:

• The maintenance of international peace and security
• Upholding the rule of Law
• The development of friendly relations among states based on respect for the principle of sovereign equality, equal rights and the right to self determination
• Achieving international cooperation in solving international problems
• Promoting and encouraging respect for Human Rights
• The peaceful settlement of disputes and the non resort to the use of force or threat of use of force against the territorial integrity and political independence of any state
• Non-intervention in the internal affairs of a state.