Senate Debates Key Bills, Ratifies Latin American Space Convention

The Senate met today at the National Assembly in Belmopan to debate several bills and wrapped up just after 5:20 this evening. On the agenda was the debate of the Fiscal Incentives Amendment Bill, the Southern Deep Port Development Facility Bill, the Millennium Challenge Account Belize Authority (MCC) Bill, the National Security Council Bill, the Insurance Amendment Bill, the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill, and the Disabilities Bill. One of the first orders of the day was the Senate moving to pass a resolution for Belize to ratify the Convention of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE) after Belize signed the Convention in May 2024. The convention seeks to allow the regional exchange of experiences involving satellite monitoring of environmental conditions and hydro-meteorological risks. Leader of Government Business Senator Eamon Courteney spoke about the purpose of the regional body and how it will benefit Belize.

Eamon Courtenay, Senator, Leader of Government Business: “21 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have signed. Antigua, Argentina, Bolivia, Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Venezuela. We are happy to join that illustrious group of countries. Madam President, the purpose of this existing organization is to use space and satellite technology to harness information to enable people to plan in order to enable people to avoid disasters, to prepare for disasters, information on soil, on topography, to understand the forests that we have, to increase our ability to have higher yields in agriculture in order to protect our forests. There is absolutely no harm in us joining ALSE. Benefits will redown to Belize and Belizeans. There is at this time no cost to Belize. If cost is going to be incurred, it will be minimal. This information is shared already among the existing members. And it is an offer from Mexico and the other countries who are spearheading this initiative to share it with those of us who do not have access, who do not have the capacity and the resources to afford our own satellites. And so, Madam President, this is yet another step by the Government of Belize to make available relevant, timely information to Belizeans.”

Opposition Senator Michael Peyrefitte questioned whether Belize’s financial input into the program is worth its benefits. He called on the government to provide details on the cost of joining the convention.

Michael Peyrefitte, Opposition Senator: “Space! What are you going to do in space ? This government, Madam President, can’t even finish one road on the coastal highway you know  and we signed treaty to get to space and coordinate with satellite ? Madam President, from what I’ve read space technology is like the most expensive technology you can get engaged in right ahead of the oil exploration technology. I would like to hear, Madam President, if I may, from the Minister of State, Senator Coye exactly how much this will cost us. Because nothing called space is cheap, space expensive and if you look at the agreement that was signed, when you look at Article 3 it talks about the financial obligations member states acquire from this convention shall rule after its entry into force for each member state. But what financial obligations? What? How much will this cost the country every year for this so-called space technology? And I see a thing about preventing natural disasters and the like but listen, if we could get into technology that will prevent a hurricane please bring it on. Is that what we’re doing? What’s our level of exposure when it comes to the sharing of satellite equipment? Will Belize’s technology be able to be accessed from Mexico? Mexico is a friend you know Madam President but I’m just saying when you’re messing with this type of technology, what is our exposure? What will we be signing on to in terms of when it comes to specific agreements and terms of reference? Will they have rights to access our telecommunications equipment and information ? We don’t know. We don’t know Madam President.”

The resolution was passed and will return to the Senate for adoption.