Official Government of Belize website
Vision Statement
To enhance 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.
Mission Statement
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs aims to formulate, coordinate and implement foreign policy initiatives, addressing the issue National Sovereignty and the preservation of Territorial Integrity, Economy, Human and National Security.
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 a globalized world, the guiding principle of our Government of putting the welfare of Belize and Belizeans first, enable us to craft our foreign relations to complement the development of our priority areas successfully and ensure that our international relations enhance and protect our national economic, social and territorial interests 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. This has increasingly engaged the involvement of the Secretariat of the Organization of American States along with redoubling our initiatives to sustain the interest and support of the international community.
The thrust of our diplomacy in the current administration is also 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.
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
- 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.