[{"bbox": [100, 86, 1160, 194], "category": "Text", "text": "The prolonged territorial dispute between Belize and Guatemala has produced years of bilateral tensions, eroding mutual trust that hindered the potential of cross-border cooperation. The lack of clear delimitation along the border with Guatemala has prevented effective border control and resulted in lacking the environmental protection, planning of infrastructure and weak overall socio-economic development of these areas, in particular of southern Belize."}, {"bbox": [100, 217, 1160, 447], "category": "Text", "text": "Belize's natural ecosystem is particularly rich and diverse along the border. The natural habitat of endangered wildlife is under threat due to uncontrolled agriculture development and illegal cattle ranching, exacerbated by uncontrolled intrusions of individuals from Guatemala exploiting natural resources and carrying out other illegal activities with an increase of smuggling and drug farming. The southern region and border has far weaker state administration presence and resources, more limited border control capacities and border control infrastructure than the rest of the country. This situation prevents the public services from carrying out effective community development planning for better service delivery, and properly administering the land use and the sustainable use of natural resources, to promote economic activities, to regulate migration, and to formalise trade."}, {"bbox": [100, 463, 1160, 635], "category": "Text", "text": "For the Southern region of Belize, the regularisation of the border would end decades of economic and societal stagnation, complicated further by lawlessness and insecurity caused by trans-border threats pouring over. The resolution of the territorial dispute is bound to strengthen confidence in expanding socio-economic activity, opening new economic and trade opportunities. A border managed by effective and accountable institutions able to provide security, and trade benefits accompanied by local development planning with the local populations are essential for creating the foundations for sustainable growth and economic development."}, {"bbox": [112, 698, 1043, 753], "category": "Section-header", "text": "**Identification of main stakeholders and corresponding institutional and/or organisational issues (mandates, potential roles, and capacities) to be covered by the action:**"}, {"bbox": [112, 777, 1147, 830], "category": "Text", "text": "The **Ministry of Economic Development** and the **Ministry of Foreign Affairs** are key stakeholders for coordination of and communication with Belize national institutions involved in this Action."}, {"bbox": [112, 868, 1147, 1054], "category": "Text", "text": "The key stakeholders associated to the activities for **Green Growth and socio-economic development priorities** for the south will be the **central Government and Agencies**: Ministry of Rural transformation (MRT), Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Blue economy, Ministry of Sustainable Development Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, the National Women's Commission, the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs under the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous People's Affairs, Forestry Department. **Beltraide** will be an important interlocutor as the main agency for assisting the development of MSMEs."}, {"bbox": [112, 1067, 1147, 1336], "category": "Text", "text": "**Local producers' groups, women and youth organizations, indigenous representative organizations and other local CSOs** including disability organisations will play an important role in the consultation process and implementation of territorial and local development planning, in service delivery, to ensure full inclusion of all populations including young people, persons living with disabilities, women, and indigenous groups. The programme will develop a gender-sensitive local development approach and gender inclusive financing. CSOs with expertise in local planning with communities, sustainable agriculture and forest conservation will have a key role in the programme, as well as local CSOs promoting human rights in Belize, gender equality and women's empowerment. Furthermore, CSOs will be involved in order to ensure inclusiveness, transparency and accountability in the delivery of the government agenda and commitments to relevant policies and across the EU funded programme."}, {"bbox": [112, 1345, 1147, 1400], "category": "Text", "text": "Access to additional financial resources for financing small infrastructures and access to credit will be leveraged through the partnership and complementarity with other **IFIs**."}, {"bbox": [112, 1411, 1147, 1466], "category": "Text", "text": "The main government institutions that are key stakeholders for the **Integrated Border Management priority** and related conservation and trade facilitation activities proposed under the action:"}, {"bbox": [112, 1489, 1147, 1624], "category": "Text", "text": "The **Belize-Guatemala Joint Commission** plays a central role in improving bilateral relations in the forefront of resolving the border dispute and producing concrete progress for the inhabitants of both countries, particularly in the border regions. To operationalise the mandate of the Joint Commission, the **Belize National Commission for Regional Integration, Border Management and Security** is being created for concrete actions of promoting cross border trade, designing efficient border management and contributing to migration control."}, {"bbox": [1051, 1666, 1159, 1692], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 7 of 27"}]