Dear Belizean friends:
Welcome to our JICA Belize website!
Although Belize and Japan are geographically far apart, both countries were in a good relationship since the diplomatic relationship was established in 1986, when JICA initiated the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) to this country by inviting Belizean officials for training in Japan.
In 2000, JICA opened its branch office in Belize, started to dispatch JICA Overseas Volunteers, has been conducting technical cooperation projects in agriculture, environment sectors, etc., and grant aid projects.
Japan’s assistance for Belize has two priority areas; (1) Building a resilient society and (2) Sustainable Economic Development.
Regarding the former area, JICA has been assisting the Government of Belize in providing countermeasures against climate change and overcoming vulnerability to natural disasters, since Belize is prone to damage from hurricanes and floods. In this regard, measures for both prevention and mitigation will be promoted. JICA also has been supporting the sustainable development of urban environments, including human resource development that focuses on waste management, and the establishment of recycling systems. Furthermore, Japan will cooperate to reduce social disparities in education, healthcare, social welfare, etc., as well as to support the development of the basis to provide social services to improve the quality and foundation of people’s lives.
Regarding the latter area, JICA supports economic development (agriculture, tourism, private sector, etc.), particularly in regions with lagging development, to enforce human resources and expand systems to reduce economic disparities in Belize.
To date, about 300 Belizeans have participated in a training program in Japan called the "Knowledge Co-Creation Program". They have been a great asset in thickening the pipeline between Japan and Belize!
In addition, a total of about 200 JICA volunteers have been dispatched to various areas in this country in areas of education, environment, sports, and IT.
JICA's cooperation emphasizes self-reliant development and sustainability and will be carried out while supporting the independent development of Belize.
JICA will continue to work together on solving issues in Belize through its cooperation programs, while cherishing the accumulated experience, and will further strengthen the bonds of friendship and trust between the two countries.
TACHIHARA Yoshikazu (Mr.)
Resident Representative
JICA Belize Office
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