Belize Reaffirms Commitment to Ocean Sustainability at 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference

Belize has reaffirmed its global leadership in ocean conservation by joining 17 countries and 7 international organizations in signing the Pledge to Advance Ocean Accounts by 2030 during the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), held this month in Nice, France.

Themed “Accelerating Action and Mobilizing All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean”, UNOC3 brought together leaders from across the globe to galvanize efforts toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water.

Belize’s endorsement of the Ocean Accounts Pledge signals a new era in ocean governance, with the development of national ocean accounts now officially underway. This effort is supported by a multi-institutional partnership that includes the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership, UNSW Center for Sustainable Development Reform, Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI), Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), and the University of Belize Environmental Research Institute (UB-ERI).

Speaking during the high-level segment of the conference, Belize’s Prime Minister emphasized the need for collective action:

“As a small developing nation, our valiant conservation efforts alone can’t shield our oceans. The overarching, ever-reaching impacts of rising seas, warming temperatures and extreme weather of climate change dwarf our actions. We need concerted, coordinated global action to protect our oceans for the benefit of generations to come.”

The development of ocean accounts will enhance Belize’s ability to assess the social, economic, and environmental value of its marine ecosystems. These data-driven tools will support policy decisions that promote both sustainable development and community well-being.

UB-ERI is proud to contribute to this national effort, reaffirming our commitment to advancing Belize’s role as a regional leader in science-based conservation.

Through strategic partnerships, evidence-based policymaking, and visionary leadership, Belize continues to demonstrate that even small nations can make a significant impact in global ocean sustainability.