Congratulations to Belize on its 40th Independence Anniversary

Jan 09, 2026

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has congratulated Belize on its 40th Anniversary of Independence, which it celebrates on Tuesday 21 September under the theme “Belize at 40: Hopeful Hearts, Steady hands, Together We Rise.”

Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett in a congratulatory message to Belize Prime Minister Mr. Juan Antonio Briceño, lauded the Government’s commitment to the Community’s most pressing priorities, including advocacy against Climate Change, which she noted has brought great benefits.

 Here is the congratulatory message from the Secretary-General:  

Honourable Prime Minister,

On behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), I extend heartfelt congratulations to you and the people of Belize on the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Independence. 

This year’s theme for the celebrations, “Belize at 40: Hopeful Hearts, Steady Hands, Together We Rise”, unifies all citizens in calling on them to continue to work hard, harness their collective strengths, focus on progress, and seize the opportunities at hand, including the benefits of regional integration.

Honourable Prime Minister, CARICOM has greatly benefitted from the commitment of the Government of Belize to the Community’s most pressing priorities, including the Community’s global advocacy against climate change, especially the mobilisation of expertise in the lead up to the Glasgow Climate Change Conference (COP26), its leadership on matters of importance to small states, and its responsibility as the lead for justice and governance in the quasi-cabinet of CARICOM Heads of Government.

As Belize celebrates this milestone of forty years of independence, please accept my best wishes for the continued success of Belize and my highest esteem.”

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