[{"bbox": [100, 87, 1157, 143], "category": "Text", "text": "is a mix of diverse origins composed of Mestizos (majority), Krioles (25%), Mayans (11%) and Garifuna (6%), and about 4% of the population are German-speaking Mennonites."}, {"bbox": [100, 161, 1159, 360], "category": "Text", "text": "Belize's social structure is marked by persistent inequalities: **women** face barriers to socio-economic empowerment and are the main victims of gender-based violence (GBV). **Poverty and gender** intersect and affect individuals' conditions in education, health, community life, and family life. There is chronic **intergenerational poverty**, reinforced by the low levels of literacy and skills, and the lack of access to land and to social services. Toledo district has the highest number of children living in poverty at 72% in 2018.³ It also has the lowest labour force participation rate (39%) in the country. Although more women are obtaining secondary or higher level education, this is not translating into lower unemployment or higher positions for women in the labour force."}, {"bbox": [100, 377, 1159, 550], "category": "Text", "text": "The Government of Belize (led by the People's United Party) has managed to significantly decrease the country's public debt. In 2021, the economy rebounded by 15% and for 2022, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had estimated a growth of real GDP of 11.4%, with unemployment figures to continue decreasing to 5%⁴. In early 2023, the debt situation has again significantly improved (64% debt to GDP ratio⁵) further to the signing of a debt-for-nature swap with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) referred to in short as “blue bond” (debt restructuring for marine conservation⁶) coupled with fiscal discipline measures."}, {"bbox": [100, 566, 1159, 737], "category": "Text", "text": "Belize is party to several treaties such as the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) and the European Union (EU). A preliminary trade agreement signed with neighbouring Mexico in 2022 is seen as a major achievement by the Government, as it will allow (at least temporarily) exporting its agricultural products, mostly cattle, free of tariffs and other cooperation agreements were also concluded for tourism, training and education in agro-silvopastoral production systems. Belize also has an ongoing negotiation on the Partial Scope Agreement with Guatemala which needs to be reactivated."}, {"bbox": [100, 754, 1159, 955], "category": "Text", "text": "The Government under its Plan Belize 2030 and its Medium-Term Development Strategy 2022-2026, aims to boost private sector investments, seeking a more robust economic regional integration particularly with its neighbour countries, and to diversify and expand production and export. To this end, it is relaxing regulations and promoting investment in agriculture, industry and tourism, while at the same time protecting natural resources. This offers new economic prospects to the region along the border with Guatemala and in particular to the Toledo District in southern Belize, which historically has been the most underserved district with limited private sector development, poor access to finance and where the poorest share of the population resides."}, {"bbox": [100, 971, 1160, 1314], "category": "Text", "text": "Belize forest covers 70% of the territory and its barrier reef is the third largest in the world. Belize is part of the Meso-American Biodiversity hotspots. The remaining primary rainforests (notably the Selva Maya and the Chiquibul Forests) on the Guatemalan border, remain important biodiversity hotspots and strongholds for irreplaceable and endangered species (such as jaguar, tapir, scarlet macaws) that are under threat due to illegal cattle ranching, agriculture development and poaching, which are exacerbated by uncontrolled intrusions at the porous border of populations from Guatemala⁷. In its new Medium Term Development Strategy (2022), the Government has decided to engage the country in a process of transformational change to increase investment and economic activities in rural communities through a green growth model, in particular for the south. In this context, any rural transformation interventions in the forested areas along the border should be carefully planned with the communities, seeking a balance between biodiversity conservation and local livelihoods in a complex landscape encompassing protected areas and communal lands owned by indigenous people and managed under ancient customary practices, and linking income generation to forest conservation and sustainable management of natural resources."}, {"bbox": [100, 1327, 1160, 1470], "category": "Text", "text": "The border security and regional integration are priorities for the Government. The long-term territorial claim of Belizean territory by Guatemala has negatively impacted relations between the two countries and held back the development of the south and of Belize's border regions. Guatemala maintains a claim on around 50% of Belize's territory and did not recognise Belize as a different sovereign and independent state until 1991. In 2008, it was agreed to refer the territorial issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), subject to positive outcomes in referenda. The"}, {"bbox": [100, 1497, 170, 1519], "category": "Footnote", "text": "³ Ibid."}, {"bbox": [100, 1521, 1157, 1569], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁴ Data is based on IMF estimates provided in February 2023. Consolidated figures for 2022 will be published at the end of 2023."}, {"bbox": [100, 1570, 443, 1595], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁵ IMF February 2023 ART IV mission."}, {"bbox": [100, 1595, 860, 1644], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁶ IMF News, 2022, 4 May). *Belize: Swapping Debt for Nature*. Available at: https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2022/05/03/CF-Belize-swapping-debt-for-nature"}, {"bbox": [100, 1643, 820, 1667], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁷ WCS estimated that between 2000 and 2015 the forest areas have reduced by 23%."}, {"bbox": [1051, 1667, 1158, 1692], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 5 of 27"}]