Belize Participates in South-South Ocean Accounting Exchange 2026

Participation in the South-South Ocean Accounting Exchange 2026 in Bogor, Indonesia provided Belizean representatives with an opportunity to contribute to international discussions on ocean governance, environmental data integration, and sustainable blue economy development. Representing Belize at the exchange were Global Ocean Accounting Partnership (GOAP) Fellows Wilbert Castillo from the University of Belize Environmental Research Institute (UB-ERI), Caisha Fermin from the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI), and Jefte Ochaeta from the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB). The event brought together government representatives, technical experts, and GOAP fellows from across the Global South to strengthen implementation of the System of Environmental Economic Accounting Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA) framework as a tool for linking ecosystem condition, economic value, and policy decision-making.

Throughout the multi-day programme, participants explored how countries are developing integrated systems to organize environmental data and translate it into practical tools for governance and planning. Sessions emphasized that many countries already possess substantial environmental datasets, but often face challenges related to fragmentation, interoperability, and long-term coordination across agencies and institutions.

A central theme emerging from the exchange was the importance of national coordination in ensuring the success of ocean accounts.

“The value and success of ocean accounts is not just about the data we collect but how well we connect them across people, systems and decisions.”

Country presentations from Indonesia, Ecuador, Fiji, and others highlighted both shared challenges and innovative approaches to implementation. Discussions examined how ocean accounting can support reporting under international frameworks such as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while also informing national blue economy policies and financing mechanisms.

For Belize, the exchange was particularly relevant to ongoing work linked to the Belize Sustainable Ocean Plan (BSOP), coral reef monitoring, and the development of national ocean accounts. Belize already benefits from strong marine datasets generated through multiple monitoring initiatives and partnerships; however, the exchange reinforced the need to further strengthen data coordination, interoperability, and long-term accessibility to support evidence-based policy and management.

The discussions closely aligned with ongoing efforts in Belize to develop coral reef condition, extent, and tourism satellite accounts, while also supporting the use of key ecological indicators such as live coral cover, macroalgal cover, recruit density, biodiversity, and reef structural complexity. Additional sessions on blue carbon highlighted the importance of integrating ecosystems such as mangroves and seagrass into climate and economic planning frameworks.

Overall, the South-South Ocean Accounting Exchange demonstrated that ocean accounting is far more than a technical exercise. It is an important mechanism for linking ecosystem health, economic value, and national policy priorities in support of sustainable marine management and resilient blue economies. The event also reinforced the importance of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and peer learning between countries facing similar environmental and governance challenges.

For UB-ERI, participation in the exchange represents another step in supporting Belize’s transition toward integrated, evidence-based ocean governance and strengthening the role of environmental data in national decision-making.