Belize Network of NGOs says Belize can ratify the Escazú Agreement now!

Ratify the Escazú Agreement now! That’s what the Belize Network of NGOs says the Government of Belize can do, thanks to the Senate’s greenlighting of the accord on February 10. The network says that it calls on Belmopan to quote “take the necessary steps to bring the agreement into force” Unquote. The agreement was developed five years ago in March 2018 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). The UN says that the agreement is a tool used for the protection of the environment and human rights. Particularly, it addresses critical concerns relating to access to information and justice regarding environmental matters in Latin America. The idea is to be able to create spaces in which people can be consulted on environmental decisions, can seek legal action in cases of environmental damage, and defend the rights of environmental advocates, indigenous peoples, and local communities. For children specifically, it ensures everyone can enjoy a healthy environment and sustainable development with an intergenerational approach and have children involved in environmental and climate decision-making processes.