Belize Launches Second National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BELIZE LAUNCHES SECOND NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF STATISTICS (NSDS)

 BELIZE CITY, BELIZE, July 28, 2025 –

The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Transformation and with technical support from The Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century (PARIS21), officially launched the country’s second National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS2) today, July 28, 2025, at the Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza.

The launch event was attended by high-level officials, including the Honourable Dr. Osmond Martinez, Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Transformation, along with government department heads, international partners, and technical staff from across the National Statistical System (NSS).

The NSDS2 set out a clear and coordinated five-year roadmap for improving statistical capacity, strengthen data governance and improve the quality, accessibility and timeliness of official statistics.  The strategy aligns with national development priorities, such as the Plan Belize Medium-Term Development Strategy, and international commitments including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The NSDS was developed through extensive stakeholder consultations and collaborative planning over a two-year period. It incorporates detailed sector-specific action plans from ministries and agencies and a framework for monitoring and evaluation.

Ms. Diana Castillo, Director-General of the SIB, noted: “This strategy reflects the shared vision of all NSS stakeholders. It is a practical, forward-looking tool that will guide the transformation of Belize’s data ecosystem and help us meet both national and international development goals”.

The SIB acknowledged the vital technical support provided by PARIS21 throughout the strategy’s development, including facilitation of assessments, expert consultations, and validation sessions.  The Government of Belize was also recognized for its full endorsement of the NSDS2, underscoring its commitment to evidence-based policymaking and sustainable development.

The event also highlighted the contributions of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), one of the first partners to invest in NSDS2 implementation, in collaboration with various UN agencies. Through the KOICA-supported “Enabling of Belize’s Statistical System” project, early success has already been realized, including staff training opportunities, the acquisition of vehicles and IT equipment, and a rebranding initiative to enhance the SIB’s visibility.

The SIB and its partners will now move into the implementation phase, with support from government institutions and development partners. The Institute will lead coordination efforts, capacity-building initiatives, and monitoring activities to ensure that the NSDS delivers on its vision.

For more information or to access the full NSDS document, please visit www.sib.org.bz

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For more information, please contact:

Javier Romero
Communications and Marketing Officer
Statistical Institute of Belize
jromero@mail.sib.org.bz
+501 822 2207 ext. 209