We looked into our archives for mention of the Sarstoon protocol dating back to 2017:

Wilfred Elrington, Foreign Minister
"Belize remains committed to working with Guatemala to finalize a cooperation mechanism for the Sarstoon River in order to minimize the potential of tensions or incidents along Belize's southern border."

"We urge our neighbor Guatemala to agree on a procedure or protocol for confidence building measures on the Sarstoon River, our southern boundary with Guatemala, to facilitate the management of incidents of the kind that gave rise to heightened tensions between our two countries in 2015 and 2016."

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"We must redouble our efforts to manage the daily challenges which arise along the border areas in accordance with the 2005 confidence building measures. Additionally, now more than ever we need to conclude a Sarstoon protocol, a cooperation mechanism to avoid unnecessary incidents in that area."

Eamon Courtenay, Foreign Minister
"Recently Guatemalan military forces illegally entered Belizean waters and unlawfully removed Belizean flags placed on Belizean soil. Deforestation, cattle ranching and cultivation of illegal drugs by Guatemalans continue in remote and protected areas of Belize. These activities are contrary to international law and good neighborliness. Concluding a Sarstoon protocol to avoid unnecessary incidents in our Southern and maritime space remains outstanding but necessary."

Sustainable Travel And Hospitality Awards

And from the Sarstoon Protocol to Sustainable Travel - the Belize Tourism Board hosted The inaugural World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards in Spanish lookout on Saturday night. It was an event to recognize those that have made significant contributions to sustainable travel and tourism.

The initiative was first launched in 2023 at COP 28 in Dubai on World Tourism Day. And this year, individuals and organizations were recognized across twenty-one categories, with three of them being dedicated to recognizing local efforts in sustainable tourism.

The winners for those three categories are as follows: The Leading Sustainable Cultural Heritage Project was awarded to the Che'il Mayan Chocolate. The Leading Sustainable Marine Conservation Initiative was awarded to Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association. And The Leading Sustainable Community Engagement Programme was awarded to Belize Tourism Industry Association.

Water In A Wondrous Place

The ministry of Rural Transformation, community development, Labour and local government has partnered with UNICEF to expand their water, sanitation and hygiene program to the remote southern village of Machakilha. The project includes the installation of a 200 foot well that will supply the families and residents of the village with clean water. Here are the highlights from the inauguration ceremony that happened on September 26th.

Hon Dr Osmond Martinez, Area Representative Toledo East
"For too long and for too many years Matchakilha has been deprived a proper water system and while it affects the health aspect of humanity it also you know put some constraints on people. One of the points that made my heart cry and motivated me during my campaign was when I look at women or kids walking with a bucket of water on their heads and I don't know for how long they have been walking. And then maybe several miles, maybe a mile, maybe a minute, maybe an hour we don't know but one thing I can tell you is that is not what this government wants for Matchakilha. This is not what this government wants for every citizen in Belize and that's not the promise under plan Belize. The promise under plan Belize is to help us to reduce poverty is one that will enable a friendly investment but also it will enable friendly collaborations with systems such as UNICEF."

Oscar Requena, Minister of Rural Transformation
"Our ministry of rural transformation together with UNICEF have invested significant a lot of money in this community. What did we do? We provided pipes so that we can expand the water system to every single home. We have drilled a new well we have installed a new solar system with a submersible pump all operated by solar. We have also ensure that the well that you have there provides enough water and I am happy to say that the well is producing over 100 gallons of water per minute. So that is going to full that tank very quickly. So that the water can go into your homes and you can have safe water."

Dr. Angella Baitwabusa, Health Program Officer, UNICEF Belize
"Water is our mandate as other things are but anything that affects a child it's our mandate, and we cannot help a child without looking at the ecosystem the child is staying in so with those brief ones I really really want to thank you for today and for the opportunity to work with UNICEF we really appreciate that and thank you."