By Breaking Belize News Staff: Prime Minister John Briceño says Belize is pursuing millions of dollars in international financing to address the worsening sargassum crisis affecting the country’s coastline.
Speaking upon his return from the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, Briceño said discussions focused on securing low-interest financing with long repayment periods to support a more comprehensive response to the problem.
According to the Prime Minister, Belize is working to access an initial US$5 million, with hopes of securing an additional US$5 million. He also referred to a broader financing target of approximately $20 million, although he did not clarify the currency or how the additional funding would be secured.
Briceño argued that Belize and other Caribbean countries are being forced to bear the financial consequences of environmental challenges they did little to create.
The Prime Minister said the government is seeking regional and international cooperation to address the problem, which threatens tourism, coastal communities and livelihoods.
During his visit to Bangkok, Briceño had also outlined plans to seek World Bank financing for sargassum removal and to explore the possibility of converting the seaweed into energy.
The discussions have not yet resulted in a publicly confirmed financing agreement.
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