Protocolary meeting

CONSEJO PERMANENTE DE LA ORGANIZACIÓN DE LOS ESTADOS AMERICANOS

ACTA DE LA SESIÓN PROTOCOLAR CELEBRADA EL

26 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2022

Nómina de los miembros que asistieron a la sesión

En la ciudad de Washington, D. C., a las diez y siete minutos de la mañana del lunes 26 de septiembre de 2022, celebró sesión protocolar el Consejo Permanente de la Organización de los Estados Americanos con el objeto de recibir al excelentísimo señor John Antonio Briceño, Primer Ministro de la República de Belize. Presidió la sesión Embajadora Lou-Anne Gaylene Gilchrist, Representante Permanente de San Vicente y las Granadinas y Presidenta del Consejo Permanente. Asistieron los siguientes miembros:

Embajador Ronald Sanders, Representante Permanente de Antigua y Barbuda

Embajador Everson Hull, Representante Permanente de Saint Kitts y Nevis

Embajador Anthony Phillips-Spencer, Representante Permanente de Trinidad y Tobago

Embajadora Rita Claverie Díaz de Sciolli, Representante Permanente de Guatemala

Embajador Gustavo Tarre, Representante Permanente de Venezuela

Embajadora Luz Elena Baños Rivas, Representante Permanente de México

Embajador Hugh Adsett, Representante Permanente del Canadá

Embajadora María del Carmen Roquebert, Representante Permanente de Panamá

Embajadora Alejandra Solano, Representante Permanente de Costa Rica

Embajador Lynn Raymond Young, Representante Permanente de Belize

Embajador Samuel Hinds, Representante Permanente de Guyana

Embajador Agustín Vásquez, Representante Permanente de El Salvador

Embajador Chet D. Neymour, Representante Permanente del Commonwealth de las Bahamas

Embajador Jan Marten Willem Schalkwijk, Representante Permanente de Suriname

Embajador Mauricio Montalvo Samaniego, Representante Permanente del Ecuador

Embajador Sebastián Kraljevich Chadwick, Representante Permanente de Chile

Primera Secretaria Shirnaya Valin Stephen, Representante Interina de Santa Lucía

Ministra Adriana Maldonado, Representante Interina de Colombia

Señor Thomas Hastings, Representante Interino de los Estados Unidos

Ministro Consejero Omari Seitu Williams, Representante Alterno de San Vicente y las Granadinas

Ministro Fernando Gustavo Sotelo, Representante Alterno del Uruguay

Ministra María Cecilia Villagra, Representante Alterna de la Argentina

Consejero Sherlo Antoine, Representante Alterno de Haití

Representante Alterna de la República Dominicana

Ministro Aurimar Jacobino de Barros Nunes, Representante Alterno del Brasil

Segundo Secretario Ignacio Cazaña Portella, Representante Alterno del Paraguay

Ministra Carla María Cueva Navarro, Representante Alterna del Perú

Señora Alecia Taylor, Representante Alterna de Jamaica

Estuvieron también presentes el Secretario General, Luis Almagro Lemes, y el Secretario General Adjunto, Embajador Nestor Mendez, Secretario del Consejo Permanente.

Aprobación del orden del día

La PRESIDENTA: Good morning.

I am pleased to declare open this protocolary meeting of the Permanent Council, which has been convened to receive the Prime Minister of Belize, His Excellency the Honourable John Antonio Briceño.

[El proyecto de orden del día contiene los siguientes puntos:

1. Palabras de bienvenida de la Presidenta del Consejo Permanente de la Organización de los Estados Americanos, Embajadora Lou-Anne Gaylene Gilchrist, Representante Permanente de San Vicente y las Granadinas

2. Palabras del Secretario General de la Organización de los Estados Americanos, Luis Almagro

3. Palabras del Primer Ministro de Belize, excelentísimo señor John Antonio Briceño]

The order of business is approved.

Approved.

I invite all meeting participants to rise as we welcome the Prime Minister of Belize, the Honourable John Antonio Briceño.

[El Primer Ministro John Antonio Briceño, su comitiva oficial y el Secretario General ingresan al Salón de las Américas]

Palabras de bienvenida de la Presidenta del Consejo Permanente de la Organización de los Estados Americanos, Embajadora Lou-Anne Gaylene Gilchrist, Representante Permanente de San Vicente y las Granadinas

La PRESIDENTA: I invite all meeting participants to take their seat. His Excellency the Honourable John Antonio Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize, and distinguished members of his accompanying delegation; Honourable Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration of Belize; Honourable Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations; Ambassador Lynn Raymond Young, Permanent Representative of Belize to the Organization of American States (OAS); distinguished permanent and interim representatives of the member states; Mrs. Ana Luisa Castro, Vice Minister of Public Affairs of the Republic of Panama; Mr. Luis Almagro, Secretary General; Ambassador Nestor Mendez, Assistant Secretary General; distinguished permanent observers; ladies and gentlemen.

On behalf of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States, it is an honour for me to greet the Prime Minister of Belize, His Excellency the Honourable John Antonio Briceño, and to offer him a most cordial welcome to this House of the Americas.

The illustrious Prime Minister of Belize is a graduate of Muffles College in Orange Walk, Belize. He earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from St. John’s College in 1980, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin in 1985. In 1993, Prime Minister Briceño was elected to the National Assembly as the representative for the Orange Walk Central division. In 1994 he ran in the municipal elections in Orange Walk Town and served as a member of the Town Council for two terms from 1994 to 2001. Prime Minister Briceño is the fifth Belizean politician to serve as the Prime Minister of Belize. He was Deputy Prime Minister of the People’s United Party from 1998 to 2007 and served as leader of the Party and Leader of the Opposition from 2008 to 2011 and then in 2016.

Honorable Prime Minister, you have an admirable, enviable and long-standing record of service to your country and your people. Since joining our Organization 1991, Belize has played an instrumental role in our deliberations and advancing key thematic issues on our agenda. We express our sincerest appreciation to you for visiting us today as a representative of both the Caribbean and Central American sub-regions.

Belize is known as a beacon of democracy with a strong commitment to promoting human rights and development and a proud custodian of ancient Mayan culture. Belize, home to the world’s second largest barrier reef, impressive jungles, and some of the world’s most scenic beaches in the world is naturally steadfast in its support of environmental protection efforts. Having recently celebrated your Independence Day, the Permanent Council is honored by your presence today and considers it a testament to Belize’s commitment to multilateralism and the work of the OAS.

Honourable Prime Minister, OAS member states thank you for your visit today.

Palabras del Secretario General de la Organización de los Estados Americanos, Luis Almagro

La PRESIDENTA: Following the order of business of this protocolary meeting, at this time I am pleased to offer the floor to Mr. Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organization of American States.

Mr. Secretary General, the floor is yours.

El SECRETARIO GENERAL: Thank you, Madam Chair.

Señor Primer Ministro John Antonio Briceño, es un honor darle la bienvenida a este Salón de las Américas a usted y a su delegación. Su presencia es una muestra del compromiso de Belize con el sistema interamericano.

Amigas, amigos, colegas, señor Primer Ministro, celebramos con usted y con su delegación la conmemoración del 10 de septiembre, Ducentésimo Vigésimo Cuarto Aniversario de la Batalla de St. George’s Caye y el 21 de septiembre del Cuadragésimo Primero Aniversario de la obtención de Belize de su plena soberanía. Lo felicitamos por la buena administración de su país durante los momentos más críticos de la pandemia. Nos unimos a la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) para felicitarlo por el éxito de la implementación de las medidas inmediatas en escala nacional y local.

Felicitaciones también por el liderazgo internacional de Belize en la preservación del medio ambiente. Su país cuenta con una de las maravillas naturales del mundo, la barrera del coral que recorre 300 kilómetros a lo largo de la costa. Es el sistema de arrecifes más grande del Hemisferio norte con diversos y vibrantes hábitats marinos y cientos de pequeñas islas.

Para Belize, al igual que otros países del Caribe, el cambio climático representa una amenaza existencial con el aumento del nivel del mar, la erosión costera y los desastres naturales de mayor frecuencia e intensidad. Como Ministro de Recursos Naturales en los años noventa, usted promocionó iniciativas regionales de protección ambiental y manejo sostenible de los recursos naturales. Ahora en su administración, Belize está ejerciendo un rol importante junto a los organismos multilaterales en el tema del cambio climático. Recordamos su llamado a los países durante la Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio climático. “Tenemos que ponernos serios, [dijo]. De hecho, tenemos que ponernos serios, pues el cambio climático es un gran desafío para la humanidad; devastador en sus impactos y especialmente en los más vulnerables. El cambio climático aumenta la pobreza, amenaza la seguridad alimentaria y los medios de vida de cientos de millones de personas y las generaciones venideras”. Estas son sus palabras en la Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático (COP26).

Apoyamos su llamado y seguiremos prestando nuestra voz a los que piden una reflexión urgente en este ámbito. Asimismo, queremos destacar el compromiso de Belize con la convivencia pacífica de gentes de diferentes orígenes étnicos en una democracia estable. Los beliceños hablan muchos idiomas: inglés, español, criollo, garífuna y al menos tres idiomas más, entre otros, que se manifiestan al unísono en la defensa de la paz. Esos principios, como lo ha señalado el Embajador Young, comparten los mismos valores que la OEA con respecto al fortalecimiento de la paz y la seguridad.

La OEA apuesta activamente la implementación de las medidas de fomento de la confianza entre Belize y Guatemala de forma a buscar una solución pacífica al diferendo territorial, insular y marítimo entre los dos países. El respeto a estas medidas de fomento de la confianza es fundamental. Brindamos apoyo técnico y político a ambos países con el objetivo de solucionar el diferendo. En la Zona de Adyacencia, la OEA promociona contactos entre las comunidades y verifica transgresiones a los acuerdos firmados. Nuestro trabajo en los 215 kilómetros de la Zona de Adyacencia funge como una misión civil de paz. La oficina de la OEA ha logrado mantener ese trabajo desde 2003 y no se ha registrado, obviamente, ninguna alteración a la paz.

El Programa Cultura de Paz ofrece a los estudiantes beliceños y guatemaltecos el desarrollo de habilidades profesionales. El Centro Ta’Amay para la formación profesional en Benque Viejo del Carmen, que visité en una reciente visita oficial a su país, ayuda a los jóvenes a desarrollar habilidades profesionales y fomenta oportunidades de empleo. En breve, tendremos la estación de radio OEA-Zona de Adyacencia, una plataforma para que los jóvenes compartan sus experiencias e ideas y se comuniquen con sus compañeros y la comunidad en general.

El Programa Pro Futuro, coordinado por el Ministerio de Educación de Belize y la OEA, con el apoyo financiero del Gobierno de España, ofrece equipos digitales, contenido y formación profesional a once escuelas en Belize. Más de doscientos maestros ya recibieron capacitación. Cuatro mil estudiantes podrán utilizar la tecnología durante su proceso educativo.

El Programa de becas de la OEA otorga becas para maestrías, doctorados e investigación. En promedio, cien estudiantes beliceños buscan sus títulos académicos cada año con becas de la OEA. El Laboratorio Innovación de Belize, creado por el Fondo para las Américas de la OEA y la Universidad de las Indias Occidentales, con el apoyo del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos, tiene como objetivo fomentar la innovación involucrando a los jóvenes, los actores sociales y a los gobiernos locales, incluyendo comunidades vulnerables. En 2021, a través de la Fundación Pan American Development Foundation (PADF, por sus siglas en inglés), instalamos laboratorios forenses en Belize. Otorgamos capacitación a magistrados y fiscales y brindamos conocimiento para reducir la acumulación de casos judiciales.

Señor Primer Ministro, su país representa tanto al Caribe como a Centroamérica, lo que le brinda una visión privilegiada a la región. En este momento crítico de nuestros países, Belize es una isla de democracia y de respeto a los derechos humanos y de estabilidad política que continúa trabajando en el marco de la cooperación multilateral. La necesidad de asegurar una cooperación estratégica que pueda garantizar soluciones beneficiosas para nuestros países comunes sea la promoción de la paz, la mitigación del cambio climático, el fortalecimiento de la democracia o la defensa de los derechos humanos es fundamental para garantizar más derechos para más gente.

Gracias.

La PRESIDENTA: Thank you, Mr. Secretary General.

Palabras del Primer Ministro de Belize, excelentísimo señor John Antonio Briceño

La PRESIDENTA: I now have the distinct honour to offer the floor to His Excellency the Honourable John Antonio Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize.

Mr. Prime Minister, you have the floor.

El PRIMER MINISTRO DE BELIZE: Her Excellency Lou-Anne Gilchrist, Chair of the Permanent Council and representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; His Excellency Mr. Luis Almagro Lemes, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS); His Excellency Mr. Nestor Mendez, Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS); Your Excellencies, permanent representatives of the member states of the Organization of American States; Honourable representatives of permanent observers; ladies and gentlemen. Muy buenos días a todos.

Thank you for your kind welcome. It is truly an honor for me to address this distinguished body on behalf of the Belizean people. My sincere thanks to Ambassador Lou-Anne Gilchrist for convening this protocolary meeting. To the Secretary General and the Assistant Secretary General, thanks for receiving us at the Headquarters earlier this morning.

In 1948, when the OAS Charter was signed, the countries of the Hemisphere, then, committed to noble objectives. The Charter’s Preamble states that the signatories were: and I quote, “Convinced that the historic mission of America is to offer to [people] a land of liberty and a favorable environment for the development of [their] personality and the realization of [their] just aspirations [...]”

Our forefathers set us on an ambitious journey motivated by: “the desire of the American peoples to live together in peace and, through their mutual understanding and respect for the sovereignty of each one, to provide for the betterment of all, in independence, in equality and under law” end of quote.

Not only do these foundational norms remain relevant; they actuate our minds and call us to action as we do the people’s work. Madam Chair, let me assure you of Belize’s firm commitment to the pillars of democracy, human rights, security, and development as enshrined in the OAS’ Charter. Belize continues to be ranked among the most free and vibrant democracies in the Americas with an excellent Human Rights record. Our respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, free and fair elections, transparency, non- discrimination and the rule of law is unwavering.

Twenty years ago, we solemnly adopted the Inter American Democratic Charter, but today, throughout the Continent popularism and authoritarianism are alive. Geopolitical tensions threaten the rules-based order we had come to accept as permanent. The ease with which norms and principles of international law are routinely ignored, has defined a new landscape characterized by deep mistrust and divisions. As we work together to resolve the democratic challenges, we must hold dear the enjoinder in our Charter - “To promote and consolidate representative democracy, with due respect for the principle of non-intervention”.

Belize is also committed to multilateralism. Today, the world is confronting unprecedented challenges that not only threaten the international order but threatens mankind’s very existence. Now more than ever, the OAS, guided by its members, must continue to advocate for the principles that bind us together. Through engagement, and more dialogue we can and must resolve the political and diplomatic problems confronting us.

Again, I say that it is incomprehensible that we would isolate any of the countries of the Americas at a time when we are all facing such unprecedented and consequential global threats. As multilateralists, we must insist on the peaceful settlement of disputes not only in Europe but throughout the world. We must hold sacred the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of nation states, and we must commit unconditionally to international law. These principles drive us to condemn the illegal invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation and to call for an immediate end to that unjust war.

Madam Chair, Belize gained its Independence on 21 September 1981, under the leadership of the Right Honourable George Price, the Father of our nation. We celebrated our Forty-first Anniversary of independence last week Wednesday. In those 41 years, we have grown and developed significantly. As we developed, we remained stellar stewards of the natural treasures with which we are blessed.

Belize is a world leader in the protection of its natural resources with over a third of its land and over 20 percent of its marine space protected under a variety of management regimes. Our guiding principle is to maximize the contribution of our Protected Areas to national development and poverty alleviation thereby putting the system on a sound and rational footing.

Last year, we negotiated the first blue bond in this Hemisphere. This US$364 million financial transaction is the world’s largest debt restructuring for marine conservation that has reduced our debt burden and generated an estimated US$180M for marine conservation. This transaction will enable us to expand our Biodiversity Protection Zones, which includes our reefs, mangroves, and fish spawning sites to 30 percent by 2026. This is crucial for the health of our ecosystem and the planet. We are proud to be pioneers in this work, and to lead the way for other countries to join us as we conserve our oceans for Belize and beyond.

Madam Chair, developing countries had great expectations for COP26 in Glasgow. Our hopes were dashed. Rather than committing to keep 1,5 alive, we left Glasgow headed for global temperature increase by 2,7 degrees Celsius by twenty-one hundred. We will surpass 1,5 as early as 2030. Rather than developed countries delivering on the pledge of US$100 billion dollars per year, we left Glasgow with a finance roadmap. Rather than delivering a loss and damage facility to deal with the losses and damages caused by climate change, Glasgow delivered a Loss and Damage Dialogue. In November we will have COP27 in Egypt and COP15 in Montreal. Both COPs present an opportunity to reverse the unsustainable path on which humanity and our planet are bound. Both COPs will require member states to make ambitious commitments backed up by clear implementation plans and financing. COP15 must agree an ambitious and effective post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, to take account of the economic costs of biodiversity and provide financial support to developing countries efforts to deter biodiversity loss.

COP27 must close the emissions gap, augment financing for adaptation and establish a financing facility to substantively address loss and damage. We are extremely concerned that these expectations may be jeopardized by G20 dynamics, but we cannot allow backsliding. Anything less is a failure. For SIDS and AOSIS, failure is not an option.

Madam Chair, one of the most challenging problems facing our Hemisphere is mass migration. People are moving to avoid poverty and crime; to escape political instability and weather-related disasters. They seek to satisfy their basic needs and to live in peace. These are basic human rights, but for far too many, they are but illusive hopes. We cannot ignore the proliferation of illegal weapons, which are making many of our communities unsafe. These weapons are being exported to our countries and it is difficult to stop the flow because they are so easy to obtain here in the United States. Our countries are being asked to spend our scarce resources, which are better used to increase our social programs, to help stop the flow of illegal drugs and human trafficking. These illegal flows are being buttressed by the flow of arms and ammunition from North to South. They go hand in hand, and we must work together to put a stop to it.

Our citizens struggle with insecurity because of many of these factors. Our Charter calls us to eradicate extreme poverty, which constitutes an obstacle to the full democratic development of the peoples of the Hemisphere. That is our signal charge, it is the commandment that imposes a moral duty on us to alleviate suffering wherever found. Our people deserve no less.

Madame Chair, as we emerge from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are putting in place polices to build back better and stronger. After an 16,7 percent GDP contraction in 2020, in 2021, GDP grew 9,8 percent, but is yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Notwithstanding our limited fiscal space, we have tried to stimulate an economic recovery, while staying true to our social values. The Belizean economy grew by 5,3 percent in the first quarter of 2022; the highest level of production for any first quarter on record. By introducing innovative stimulus measures, and flexibility in the banking sector, businesses survived, and unemployment fell from 30 percent to 9,2 percent. However, our eternal optimism tempts us to celebrate our economic rebound, yet the reality is that we cannot truly talk of recovery because where we were before COVID-19 is not a place where we hope to return weighed down by prolonged recession, battered by increasingly frequent extreme weather events, stifled by costly credit, and lack of access to concessional financing due to our middle-income classification. We do not want to go back there. We want to progress; to move forward. We want to provide jobs for our people. We want to breathe.

On a happier note, Madam Chair, I am pleased to report that the Guatemalan claim to Belize’s land and insular territories and to the maritime areas pertaining to them is before the International Court of Justice. In accordance with the timetable announced by the Court, Guatemala submitted its Memorial to the International Court of Justice on 8 December 2020.

Belize submitted its Counter-Memorial on 3 June 2022. In our submission, Belize made a robust defense of our sovereignty over all our territory and the pertaining maritime areas in accordance with international law. Guatemala is now due to submit its Reply to Belize’s Counter Memorial by 8 December 2022 and Belize will submit our Rejoinder by 8 June 2023. The Court will subsequently set dates for oral hearings.

Under the Special Agreement between Belize and Guatemala, which was signed at this great place in 2008, the Parties have sworn to implement the Court’s decision. This will be a costly undertaking and one for which we must prepare for and seek international support. At the same time, my Government believes that while the dispute is before the Court, we must do everything we can to maintain cordial relations with the Guatemalan Government and its people. To this we are committed.

It is important to highlight the critical role of the Office of the OAS in the Adjacency Zone. It is supporting the two countries to maintain their commitment under the confidence building measures. We thank the OAS, particularly the Secretary General for his continued commitment to the process. I wish to mention, however, that the challenges along Belize’s western border, its southern and maritime borders remain. These include increases in agricultural encroachments, deforestation for cattle grazing, the establishment of illegal settlements, illegal gold panning and poaching of endangered birds and animals by Guatemalan civilians within Belizean territory.

Quite recently there was another standoff in the Sarstoon River. This again compels us to urgently negotiate and agree a protocol that covers the Sarstoon River and the Bay of Honduras. In spite of these challenges, we look forward to the definitive and final settlement of the territorial claim, which has for too long prevented the full development of normal relations between the two countries. We will continue to rely on the office of the OAS in the Adjacency Zone to assist us in the implementation of the Confidence Building Measures to reduce tensions along the border.

Madam Chair, the Organization of American States plays a critical role in our Hemisphere, the four pillars of our Organization continue to be the foundation that guides our relations. We need to go back to the fundamental reason why this Organization was founded, to bring unity and inclusivity of all member states based on mutual respect, trust, and respect for the principles of international law.

Belize is committed to continue working with all of you to achieve these laudable goals. Ceaselessly and forever, let’s work to build a more just Americas. The noble purpose of the OAS is, “to achieve an order of peace and justice, to promote solidarity, to strengthen collaboration, and to defend sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.” Belize is committed to continue working with all of you to achieve these laudable goals. Ceaselessly and forever, let us work to build a more just Americas.

I thank you.

La PRESIDENTA: Thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister.

Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes this protocolary meeting. Thank you all for attending.

At this time, respecting social distancing guidelines, I ask all of those present to greet the Prime Minister individually, starting with the delegation closest to the exit. Please rise from your seats to greet His Excellency the Prime Minister of Belize.

Thank you all very much.

The meeting is adjourned.

[Se levanta la sesión a las 10:39 a.m. ]

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ISBN 978-0-8270-7634-1