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Meeting of the Group of Friends of Belize and GuatemalaJune 5, 2018OAS Headquarters, Washington, DC  On June 5, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Guatemala, the Honorable Wilfred Elrington and Her Excellency Sandra Jovel, together with OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro, and the OAS SG Special Representative for Belize-Guatemala Affairs, Washington Abdala, met with the members of the Group of Friends of Belize and Guatemala, at the OAS Headquarters in Washington, D.C. On this occasion, the parties briefed the Group of Friends on recent developments in the Belize and Guatemala process, Guatemala’s recent referendum, as well as the nationwide information campaigns planned for Belize, in the run up to its own referendum on April 10th 2019.   Second Meeting of the Belize-Guatemala Joint CommissionMay 10, 2018Guatemala City, Guatemala  On May 10, the Belize-Guatemala Joint Commission met for the second time this year, under the auspicious of the OAS, to discuss the status of the bilateral agreements. The meeting was headed by the Commissioners of both countries, the ambassador of Belize in Guatemala, Alexis Rosado, and the ambassador of Guatemala in Belize, George de la Roche; as well as the Special Representative for Belize-Guatemala Affairs, Washington Abdala. Press Release The Belizean and Guatemalan Garifuna CultureApril 8 and 9, 2018Guatemala  On April 8 and 9, the OAS delegation headed by the Representative of the Secretary General of the OAS for Belize-Guatemala Affairs, Washington Abdala, attended a two-day event held by Belize and Guatemala in Guatemala City. The Forum was entitled “The Belizean and Guatemalan Garifuna Culture as an Expression of Social Cohesion, Intercultural Dialogue and Promotion of Peace.” The purpose of the event was to promote intercultural dialogue and a culture of peace in both countries, as well as to showcase the historical coexistence of the communities living on the borders of Livingston and Puerto Barrios, Izabal, Guatemala, and the Toledo and Stann Creek districts of Belize. Meeting of the Joint CommissionMarch 14, 2018Teakettle, Belize  On March 14, the ambassador of Belize in Guatemala, Alexis Rosado, and the ambassador of Guatemala in Belize, George de la Roche, met in the Teakettle, Belize, under the auspicious of the OAS, to discuss the status of the bilateral agenda and reactivate the Belize – Guatemala Joint Commission as established under the Framework Agreement on Confidence Building Measures of 2005. They also tasked the Joint Commission to ensure the prompt implementation of the cooperation agreements that were signed in Placencia, Belize in December 2014, as well as to develop a work plan for future initiatives aimed at promoting confidence and good neighborliness between the two countries. The joint commission will meet again in April, 2018. Belize-Guatemala Battalion Commanders Monthly Meeting14 de marzo de 2018El Remate, Flores, Petén, Guatemala  El 14 de marzo de 2018, los comandantes de batallón de las Fuerzas de Defensa de Belize y del Ejército de Guatemala, con la participación y apoyo de la OEA, se reunieron en El Remate, Flores, Petén, Guatemala para intercambiar información con relación a temas de seguridad en la Zona de Adyacencia. Belize and Guatemalan Foreign Ministers at the OAS Adjacency Zone OfficeFebruary 28, 2018OAS/AZ Office The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Guatemala, the Honorable Wilfred Elrington and Her Excellency Sandra Jovel, along with the new OAS SG Special Representative for Belize-Guatemala Affairs, Washington Abdala, and the Director of the Department of Sustainable Democracy and Special Missions, Steven Griner, met at the Office of the Organization of American States (OAS) in the Adjacency Zone (AZ) on February 27, 2018, to discuss the bilateral agenda, including preparations for the referenda in both countries and a presentation on development projects in the AZ communities. Both Ministers also expressed support for the strengthening of the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone. The meeting ended with a cultural presentation by students from the Cultural Peace Program.   Meetings of the new OAS SG Special Representative for Belize-Guatemala AffairsFebruary 12, 2018OAS Headquarters, Washington, DC On February 12, 2018, the new OAS SG Special Representative for Belize-Guatemala Affairs, Washington Abdala, attended his first meetings in Washington, D.C. with Secretary General Luis Almagro and his Chief of Staff, Ambassador Gonzalo Koncke.  Following the meeting with the Secretary General, Mr. Abdala met with the ambassadors of Belize and Guatemala to discuss the current political situation as well as to coordinate the agenda for his first official visit to the neighboring countries and the OAS AZ Office.   The new Special Representative is responsible for facilitating political and diplomatic negotiations between the Governments of Belize and Guatemala directed at finding a peaceful and permanent solution to their longstanding differendum. He will oversee the operations of the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone --the only OAS civilian peace-keeping mission in the field deployed to ease inter-state tensions. Closing of 3rd Hand Embroidery CourseFebruary 9, 2018OAS/AZ Office  A third hand embroidery course was held from January 22nd to February 9th, 2018, at the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone. The course was imparted by the Guatemalan Instituto Técnico de Capacitación (INTECAP) under the auspices of the OAS Peace Fund. The embroidery course was completed by 21 women from the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone who learned different techniques of hand embroidery. The framed art was handcrafted throughout the course. Meeting of the Group of Friends of Belize and GuatemalaJanuary 31, 2018OAS Headquarters, Washington, DC  On January 31, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Guatemala, the Honorable Wilfred Elrington and Her Excellency Sandra Jovel, together with OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro, and the Director of the Department of Sustainable Democracy and Special Missions, Steven Griner, met with the members of the Group of Friends of Belize and Guatemala. The parties briefed the Group of Friends on recent developments in the Belize and Guatemala process, as well as future activities aimed at implementing confidence building measures between the two countries. Additionally, they discussed the crucial role that the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone plays in maintaining peace on the ground, easing tensions and thus facilitating the ongoing political dialogue. The last meeting of the Group of Friends was in August 2016.  Special Meeting of the Permanent CouncilJanuary 31, 2018OAS Headquarters, Washington, DC  The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Guatemala, the Honorable Wilfred Elrington and Her Excellency Sandra Jovel made presentations to the OAS Permanent Council to provide an update on the status of the process for settling the territorial dispute of Belize and Guatemala. Both Foreign Ministers also called for a joint effort to raise funds for the maintenance of the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone, which has functioned as a civilian peace-keeping mission since 2003. The session ended with brief remarks by OAS Secretary General where he presented the Peace Fund Report on the Belize and Guatemala Process. REPORT TO THE PERMANENT COUNCIL ON THE FUND FOR PEACE, PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION 781 (1257/00) (March 1, 2011 – September 30, 2017) English | Español Photo Gallery Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala with OAS Secretary GeneralJanuary 31, 2018OAS Headquarters, Washington, DC  Prior to the Special Permanent Council, the Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala met with OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro to discuss OAS support for their upcoming Information Campaigns in the run-up to their respective referenda to take Guatemala's territorial, insular and maritime claim to the International Court of Justice for final settlement. The Ministers also addressed the need to avoid incidents and tensions between the two countries, as well as to continue to strengthen their bilateral relationship.  Peace Water and EducationDecember 11 – 13, 2017OAS/AZ Office  A workshop for leaders in “Peace, Water and Education”, based on the OAS-UNESCO/IHP-WET project Water and Education program, was held from December 11th to the 13th, 2017, at the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone. The workshop was conducted by the Department of Sustainable Development in coordination with UNESCO, under the auspices of the OAS Peace Fund. The course was completed by 26 young leaders from the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone whom are trained to replicate these training in their tows, communities and region. In general, the training was about scoping of water resources in the region, as well as didactic techniques to develop skills, abilities, and aptitudes that allow the trained participants of the workshop to lead a training in the future.   Embroidery WorkshopNovember 2, 2017OAS/AZ Office   A hand embroidery course was held from October 16th to November 3rd, at the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone. The course was imparted by the Guatemalan Instituto Técnico de Capacitación under the auspices of the OAS Peace Fund. The embroidery course was completed by 15 women from the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone who learned different techniques of hand embroidery. The dresses the participants are wearing were individually handcrafted throughout the course. The Mayors Meeting at the OAS/AZ OfficeOctober 27, 2017OAS/AZ Office   On October 27th, 2017, the Mayors of Benque Viejo del Carmen, Belize and Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala met at the OAS/AZ Office with foreign ministry officials and community leaders of the villages of El Arenal, Belize and El Arenal, Guatemala to address the impact of recent flooding in the area. British officials visit OAS/AZ OfficeOctober 25, 2017OAS/AZ Office  On October 25, the new Deputy British High Commissioner to Belize, Ms. Clare Bruce, visited the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone to learn first-hand about the work of the OAS/AZ Office and receive a briefing on the most recent developments in the process by the OAS Interim Director, Mr. Juan Carlos Sagastume. Ms. Bruce was accompanied by the outgoing Deputy British High Commissioner, Ms. Grace Chun. Referendum on territorial dispute to be held in Guatemala on April 15, 2018October 23, 2017Guatemala  On August 2, 2017, the Guatemalan Congress supported the decision to hold the referendum and tasked the Supreme Electoral Tribunal to begin preparations for its convocation. Subsequently, on October 23rd, 2017, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal issued the call for the referendum in the presence of the President of Guatemala. The date that has been fixed for the popular consultation to take place is April 15, 2018. Belize-Guatemala Battalion Commanders Monthly MeetingOctober 18, 2017Log Cab Inn, San Ignacio, Cayo District  On October 18th, 2017, Battalion Commanders from the Belizean Defence Force and the Guatemalan Army, alongside the participation and support of the OAS, met at the Log Cab Inn in San Ignacio, Cayo District, Belize, where they exchanged information regarding the current state of security in the Adjacency Zone. The Governor of Peten, Guatemala, visits the OAS/AZ OfficeOctober 16, 2017OAS/AZ Office  On October 16th, the Governor for the District of Peten, Republic of Guatemala, Adriana Girón Arango, visited the Adjacency Zone to learn first-hand about the work of the OAS/AZ Office and receive a briefing on the most recent developments in the Belize-Guatemala process by the OAS Interim Director, Mr. Juan Carlos Sagastume. Embroidery WorkshopSeptember 29, 2017OAS/AZ Office  A hand embroidery course was held from September 11th to the 29th, 2017, at the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone. The course was imparted by the Guatemalan Instituto Técnico de Capacitación under the auspices of the OAS Peace Fund. The embroidery course was completed by 15 women from the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone who learned different techniques of hand embroidery. The dresses the participants are wearing were individually handcrafted throughout the course. Delegation of the European Union visits the OAS AZ OfficeSeptember 19, 2017Office of the OAS/AZ  On September 19, a delegation of European Union Ambassadors, headed by Her Excellency Malgorzatta Wasilewska, visited the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone to learn first hand about the work of the OAS/AZ Office and receive a briefing on the most recent developments in the process by the OAS Secretary General's Special Representative for Belize-Guatemala Affairs, Magdalena Talamas. The students of the culture of peace program advanced by the Office offered a musical performance in honor of the delegation. The European Union is the major contributor to the project titled "Implementation of the Confidence-Building Measures in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone," under which the OAS/AZ Office operates. Other dignitaries who comprised the delegation included The British High Commissioner to Belize, His Excellency Peter Hughes; His Excellency Dylan Vernon, Ambassador of Belize to the European Union; and His Excellency Ambassador Said Guerra, in charge of Protocol and Consular Affairs at the Belizean Foreign Ministry. The Ambassadors of Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain were also among the special guests. Meeting with Belizean Deputy Minister and US Senator EngelsSeptember 17, 2017Office of the OAS/AZ  On September 17, the OAS SG Special Representative for Belize and Guatemala Affairs had a productive meeting with US Congressman Eliot Engels and Belize MFA CEO Amb. Patrick Andrews to discuss the role of the OAS in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone Belize-Guatemala Battalion Commanders MeetingAugust 16, 2017Belize  On August 16, the Battalion Commanders of the Belize Defence Force and the Guatemala Army met at Log Cab Inns, San Ignacio, CayoDistrict, Belize, with the participation and support of the OAS, to exchangeinformation on the security situation in the Adjacency Zone. Belize-Guatemala Battalion Commanders MeetingJuly 12, 2017Office of the OAS/AZ  On May 17, Battalion Commanders of the Belize Defence Force and the Guatemala Army metwith the participation and support of the OAS at La Polvora, Melchor de Mencos, Petén, Guatemala to exchange information on the security situation in the Adjacency Zone. Working Group of the Joint CommissionJuly 6, 2017Office of the OAS/AZ  On July 6, the International Boundaries Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize held a meeting with principals and teachers of the Cayo District, Belize, to discuss student crossings from Guatemala to Belize. The meeting also served as a platform to carry on the information campaign about the Belize and Guatemala referendum. European Union makes generous financial contribution to the Belize-Guatemala subfund of the OAS Peace FundJuly, 2017
Canada is providing operational and programming support to the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone Canada is providing operational and programming support to the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone to contribute to a peaceful and permanent solution to the territorial dispute between Belize and Guatemala. Canada’s contribution will go toward confidence building and conflict resolution, as well as efforts to foster positive community-to-community relations. As part of this project, the Office will perform ongoing monitoring of the zone to detect conflict points and incidents, as well as carrying out investigations and verifications if requested by the governments of Guatemala and Belize. It will also provide training in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Quarterly Meeting of the ArmiesMay 24, 2017San Ignacio Hotel, San Ignacio, Cayo District, Belize  On May 24, 2017, a meeting of operational commanders of the Belize Defence Force (BDF) and the Guatemalan Army was held with the participation and support of the OAS in San Ignacio, Cayo District, Belize. These meetings are held every three months under the coordination of the OAS Peace Fund to exchange information on the security situation in the Adjacency Zone, discuss recent activities and schedule the link up patrols for the next three months. Belize-Guatemala Battalion Commanders MeetingMay 17, 2017The Lodge at Chaa Creek Cottages, Belize  On May 17, Battalion Commanders of the Belize Defence Force and the Guatemala Army met with the participation and support of the OAS at The Lodge at Chaa Creek Cottages, Belize, to exchange information on the security situation in the Adjacency Zone. Adjacency Zone Agency MeetingMay 2, 2017OAS/AZ Office  On May 2, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a meeting with the Adjacency Zone Agencies of Belize to discuss issues that affect both communities such as security issues, liquor licenses to establishments in the area and student crossing logistics with the support and participation of the Office of the OAS/AZ in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone. Conference with Guatemala ArmyApril 27, 2017Santa Elena, Petén, Guatemala  On April 27, 2017 the OAS/AZ Office verification officers made a presentation on the role of the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone, as well as on the confidence-building measures in force to members of the Guatemala Army, deployed in Santa Elena, Petén, Guatemala. Belize-Guatemala Battalion Commanders MeetingApril 26, 2017La Polvora, Petén, Guatemala  On April 26th, 2017 Battalion Commanders of the Belize Defence Force and the Guatemala Army met with the participation and support of the OAS at La Polvora, Melchor de Mencos, Petén, Republic of Guatemala, to exchange information on the security situation in the Adjacency Zone. Delegation of the European Union visits the AZApril 25, 2017OAS/AZ Office  On April 25, 2017 a delegation of the European Union visited the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone to see first-hand the work it advances within the framework of the confidence-building measures in force. The delegation was headed by H. E. Stefano Gatto, EU Ambassador to Guatemala, H. E. Malgorzatta Wasilewska, EU Ambassador accredited in Belize and Mr. Fernando Pons Deputy Head of the Division for the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico of the European External Action Service (EEAS). The visit included meetings with local mayors of Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala and Benque Viejo, Belize, as well as a culture of peace presentation in the El Arenal community. The European Union is the major contributor to the Belize-Guatemala subfund of the OAS Peace Fund. During the visit, a symbolic agreement was signed for continued support to the project titled “Implementation of the Confidence-Building Measures in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone,” managed by the OAS Peace Fund. Also present at the ceremony were H.E. Ambassador Patrick Andrews, Permanent Representative of Belize to the OAS; H.E. Gabriel Aguilera, Permanent Representative of Guatemala to the OAS; H.E. Estuardo Roldan, Ambassador of Guatemala to Belize and H.E. Alexis Rosado, Ambassador of Belize to Guatemala. Forest Fire PreventionApril 7, 2017OAS/AZ Office  On April 7, 2017, the Mayor of Melchor de Mencos, local Forest Concession Associations of Melchor de Mencos in Guatemala, the Forestry Departments, Fire Departments, Police Departments, Environmental Departments of Belize and Guatemala, Mennonite representatives from Spanish Lookout, Belize as well as the Mayor of Benque Viejo met to discuss forest fires prevention measures to avoid casualties along the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Line with the support and participation of the Office of the OAS in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone. Working Group of the Joint CommissionApril 5, 2017OAS/AZ Office  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a meeting with the Adjacency Zone Agencies of Belize and Guatemala to discuss issues that affect both communities such as security, liquor licenses to establishments in the area, and student crossing logistics with the support and participation of the Office of the OAS/AZ in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone. Presentation to Diplomatic CommunityApril 3, 2017Belmopan City, Belize  On April 3rd, 2017 the OAS Special Representative of the Secretary General made a presentation on the role of the OAS in the Belize-Guatemala Dispute and discussed the different activities carried out by the OAS Belize and Guatemala AZ Office to the Diplomatic Community at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Belmopan, Belize. (H.E. Harald Peter Klein, Ambassador of Germany; H.E. Georg Andren, Ambassador of Sweden; H. E. Eduardo Jose A. De Vega, Ambassador of Philippines; H. E. Ahmed Hatem Barghash Almenhali, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates and H.E. Mohammad Taghi Hosseini, Ambassador of Iran). Mass for PeaceApril 1, 2017Jalacte, Toledo District, Belize  On April 1, 2017 the Belize and Guatemalan Catholic Archbishops celebrated a Mass for Peace at Jalacte, Toledo District, Belize with the presence of Belizean and Guatemalan authorities and citizens with a turnout of approximately 600 people; this event was carried out with the support and participation of the Office of the OAS in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone. Municipality of Melchor MeetingMarch 31, 2017Melchor de Mencos  The Melchor de Mencos Commission for the Development of the City met to review the advances made on the 2017 Action Plan with the participation and support of the Office of the OAS in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone. Monthly meeting of Belize Defense Force and Guatemala Army Battalion CommandersMarch 29, 2017Central Farm, Cayo District, Belize  On March 29, Battalion Commanders of the Belize Defense Force and the Guatemala Army met with the participation and support of the OAS in Central Farm, Cayo District, Belize to exchange information on the security situation in the Adjacency Zone. Forest Fires Prevention PlanMarch 29, 2017OAS/AZ Office  On March 29, the Mayor of Melchor de Mencos called a meeting with the local Forest Concession Associations of Melchor de Mencos in Guatemala, the Forestry Departments, Fire Departments, Police Departments, Environmental Departments of Belize and Guatemala, as well as the Mayor of Benque Viejo to discuss prevention measures for forest fires along the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Line, with the support and participation of the Office of the OAS in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone. Working Group of the Joint CommissionMarch 28, 2017OAS/AZ Office  On March 28, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize had an internal meeting with the Adjacency Zone Government Agencies of Belize to discuss matters pertaining to student crossing, security and the new construction in the adjacency zone administered by Belize with the support and participation of the Office of the OAS in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone. Secretary General Luis Almagro visit to Guatemala and BelizeMarch 15-16, 2017Guatemala and Belize  From March 15-16, OAS Secretary General, Luis Almagro, visited Guatemala and Belize and met with the respective Foreign Ministers, His Excellency Carlos Raúl Morales and the Honorable Wilfred Elrington. During his visit, Secretary Almagro visited some of the communities in the Adjacency Zone and flew over the national parks to get a better understanding of the situation on the ground.  In Belize, Mr. Almagro also met with the leader of the PUP Opposition Party, the Honorable John Briceño, and his Advisory Team. Spain provides financial support in order to support the activities of the OAS in the Adjacency ZoneFebruary, 2017
German Military Attaché Visits the OAS/AZ OfficeJanuary 30, 2017OAS/AZ OFFICE  On January 30, the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone received a visit from from Dr. York Lohse, Naval Commander – Military Attaché at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Mexico with the purpose of learning about the responsabilities and activities advanced by the OAS in the Adjacency Zone. Visit of Canadian Political Officer to the OAS/AZ OfficeJanuary 26, 2017OAS/AZ Office  On January 26, the OAS/AZ Office received a visit from Ms. Karolina Guay, Political Officer at the Embassy of Canada in Guatemala and Belize. OAS/AZ Office briefs the diplomatic communityJanuary 23, 2017Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belmopan City, Belize  On January 23, the OAS/ AZ Office Interim Director, Mr. Juan Carlos Sagastume, made a presentation of the activities carried out by the AZ Office to ambassadors concurrent in Belize: H. E. Jonathan Peled from Israel, H. E. Merethe Nergaard from Norway, H. E. Alena Gazurova from the Slovak Republic and H. E. Luigi Maccotta from Italy. Joint Commission Working Group meets at OAS/AZ Office to discuss Movement of StudentsJanuary 18, 2017OAS/AZ Office  On January 18, a Belize and Guatemala Joint Commission Working Group met at the OAS/AZ Office to discuss the implementation of the agreement on the “Movement of Students.” The Working Group specifically focused on the legal aspects pertaining to the students passes that are being issued to Guatemalan children studying in Belize. Environmental NGOs of Belize and Guatemala address challenges in the AZJanuary 12, 2017OAS/AZ Office  The director of the Belize NGO Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD), Rafael Manzanero, met on January 12 with his Guatemalan counterpart, Byron Castellanos at the OAS/AZ Office to discuss environmental issues, as well as to contract a Community Outreach Educator that will work in the communities of southern Petén, Guatemala. The Netherlands makes financial contribution to the Peace Fund for activities in the Belize and Guatemala AZ OAS OfficeDecember, 2016
Visit of Ms. Joanne Crabtree, Belize Desk Officer in the UK to the OAS/AZ OfficeNovember 24, 2016OAS/AZ Office  Presentation of the different activities carried out by the OAS office in the Adjacency Zone between Belize and Guatemala. Quarterly Meeting of the ArmiesNovember 23, 2016El Remate, Flores, Petén, Guatemala  On November 23, a meeting of operational commanders of the Belize Defense Force (BDF) and the Guatemalan Army was held with the participation and support of the OAS in El Remate, Flores, Petén, Guatemala. These meetings are held every three months under the coordination of the OAS Peace Fund to exchange information on the security situation in the Adjacency Zone, discuss recent activities and schedule the link up patrols for the next three months. Bilateral Working Group on the Movement of StudentsNovember 23, 2016OAS/AZ Office  Follow up meeting on the Agreement Between Belize and Guatemala On The Movement Of Students Through Terrestrial Ports Of Entry, which was signed in Placencia, Belize in December 2014 Agreement English | Español Ambassador of The United Kingdom to Guatemala visits the OAS/AZ OfficeNovember 21, 2016OAS/AZ Office  On November 21, 2016, the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone received a high level visit from the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Guatemala., H. E. Mr. Thomas Carter. The OAS Secretary General Special Representative for Belize-Guatemala Affairs, Magdalena Talamas, welcomed the ambassador and briefed him on the latest developments in the mediation process. Monthly meeting of Belize Defence Force and Guatemala Army Battalion Commanders MeetingNovember 16, 2016Placencia Village, Stann Creek District, Belize  On November 16, Battalion Commanders of the Belize Defense Force and the Guatemala Army met with the participation and support of the OAS in Placencia Village, Stann Creek District, Belize to exchange information on the security situation in the Adjacency Zone. Ambassador of the European Union visits the OAS/AZ OfficeNovember 11, 2016OAS/AZ Office  On November 11, the European Union Ambassador H. E. Ms. Malgorzata Wasilewska, the new Head of Delegation based in Kingston, Jamaica, visited the OAS/AZ Office. Ambassador Wasilewska was briefed by the OAS/AZ staff about the ongoing activities in the Adjacency Zone funded by the EU. Joint Commission Working Group meets at OAS/AZ Office to discuss Movement of StudentsNovember 04, 2016OAS/AZ Office  On November 04, a Belize and Guatemala Joint Commission Working Group met at the OAS/AZ Office to follow up on the “Agreement on The Movement Of Students Through Terrestrial Ports Of Entry”, which was signed in Placencia, Belize, in December 2014. Belize makes financial contribution to the Belize-Guatemala subfund of the OAS Peace FundOctober, 2016
US South Command meets with Belize Defense ForceSeptember 30, 2016Belize  Admiral Kurt Walter Tidd, the Commander of United States Southern Command concluded a two-day visit to Belize with a meeting held with Commander Belize Defense Force, Brigadier General David Jones and Chief of Defense Staff of the Guatemalan Armed Forces, Major General Juan Manuel Perez Ramirez. Korea makes financial contribution to the Belize-Guatemala subfund of the OAS Peace FundSeptember, 2016
Press conference Julio Rene Alvarado's caseAugust 26, 2016Belize Press conference Julio Rene Alvarado's caseAugust 25, 2016Guatemala Quarterly Meeting of the ArmiesAugust 25, 2016Belize   On December 2, 2016 an operational coordination meeting between the Belize Defense Force (BDF) and the Guatemalan Army was held with the participation and support of the OAS in the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone. These meetings are held every three months under the auspices of the OAS Peace Fund to exchange information on the security situation in the Adjacency Zone, discuss recent activities and schedule the link up patrols for the next three months. Meeting of the Group of Friends of Belize and GuatemalaAugust 23, 2016OAS Headquarters, Washington, D.C.  On August 23, OAS Secretary General, Luis Almagro, together with his Representative for Belize-Guatemala Affairs, met with members of the Group of Friends of Belize and Guatemala, as well as other representatives of the international community at the OAS Headquarters, in Washington, D.C. OAS delivers supplies to the Alvarado familyJuly 21, 2016Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone  On July 21, the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone delivered food to the family of the deceased minor, Julio Rene Alvarado, as the investigation into the fatal incident moves forward. At OAS, Belize and Guatemala Begin Negotiations to Cooperate in the Sarstoon RiverJune 22, 2016OAS Headquarters, Washington, DC  The General Secretariat of the OAS is pleased to inform that good progress was made during the meeting headed by the Secretary General and the respective Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala, at the headquarters of the OAS, which concentrated on the development of best practices for the de-escalation of tensions in the Sarstoon River. English | Español The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Guatemala meet with Special Representative of the OAS Secretary General for Belize-Guatemala AffairsMay 25, 2016Istanbul, Turkey  Turkey supports OAS work in Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone with $200,000, showing commitment to find a cooperation mechanism for Sartsoon River differendumMay 24, 2016Turkey   On May 24, the Government of Turkey announced a contribution of US$ 220.000 to the OAS Peace Fund/Belize-Guatemala Subfund following a fruitful meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Belize and Guatemala, and the OAS SG Representative for Belize-Guatemala Affairs. Turkey reiterated its commitment to find a cooperation mechanism for Sartsoon River differendum and renewed its support for the confidence-building measures in place in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone. At OAS, Belize and Guatemala Begin Negotiations to Cooperate in the Sarstoon RiverMay 4, 2016OAS Headquarters, Washington, DC  The Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro, met today with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Guatemala in reference to the recent incidents in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone and the Sarstoon River. English | Español Turkey supports OAS Peace Fund work in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency ZoneMay, 2016
OAS Secretary General Visits BelizeApril 19-21, 2016Belmopan, Belize  On April 19, OAS Secretary General, Luis Almagro, traveled to Belize on an official visit invited by the government of Prime Minister Dean Barrow accompanied by Dr. Francisco Guerrero, Secretary for the Strengthening of Democracy. Almagro first met with Prime Minister Barrow and discussed how the OAS can continue to support the efforts of the Belizean government in promoting cooperation and development in the country before addressing the current status of the Belize-Guatemala process, as well as next steps directed at finding a peaceful and permanent solution to the centuries-old territorial dispute between these two sister nations.  Following this meeting, Secretary Almagro met with Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington. The government of Belize offered a welcome cocktail in honor of the OAS Secretary General that same evening where he publicly announced the appointment of his new Representative for Belize-Guatemala Affairs.  The following day, Almagro visited the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone where the children of the culture of peace program presented live performances showcasing the work achieved within the framework of the music and art workshops. This was the first time that an OAS Secretary General visited the Adjacency Zone. The Governor General of Belize, Sir Colville Young, was also present during the culture of peace ceremony. Later that day, Secretary Almagro met with the staff of the OAS-AZ Office and was briefed about the current and future challenges of this civilian peace-keeping mission. Almagro´s meetings included a luncheon with government authorities, the Leader of the Opposition, as well as with the Ambassadors of the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and Canada. As part of the visit, the Belizean government organized a tour of the Mayan archaeological site Xunantunich which is located very close to the Adjacency Line.  On the morning of April 21st, OAS Secretary General met with the leader of the PUP Opposition, the Honorable Johnny Briceño, as well as with the newly created Advisory Committee on Belize-Guatemala Affairs comprised of all former PUP authorities, including former Prime Minister Said Musa, and former Ministers of Foreign Affairs Lisa Shoman, Eamon Courtenay and Godfrey Smith.  He held a brief press conference at the airport before departing.  The OAS Secretary General appoints a new Representative for Belize-Guatemala AffairsApril 20, 2016OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone  On April 20, during his first visit to the Organization of American States Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone, Secretary General Luis Almagro appointed Magdalena Talamas as his new Representative for Belize-Guatemala Affairs. Ms. Talamas is responsible for facilitating the ongoing political-diplomatic negotiations between the governments of Belize and Guatemala directed at finding a peaceful and permanent solution to their longstanding differendum, as well as for overseeing the operations of the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone --the only OAS civilian peace-keeping mission in the field deployed to ease inter-state tensions. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Guatemala meet at the OAS Adjacency Zone OfficeApril 8, 2016 On Friday, April 8, 2016, the Honorable Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belize and His Excellency Carlos Raul Morales, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala met at the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone to discuss the situation in the Sarstoon River as well as other pending bilateral issues. The Ministers were accompanied by their respective army Commanders, General Juan Manuel Perez Ramirez of Guatemala and General David Jones of the Belize Defense Force, as well as by their bilateral Ambassadors: His Excellency Alexis Rosado of Belize and His Excellency Estuardo Roldan of Guatemala who head the Joint Commission. The OAS was represented by the Chief of the OAS Peace Fund, Ms. Magdalena Talamas. The Government of Belize pays Tribute to Ambassador Raul LagoMarch 23, 2016Belmopan, Belize  During a farewell ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize on March 23, 2016, attended by high- ranking government officials and diplomats, Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington paid tribute to the outgoing OAS Secretary General's Representative for Belize-Guatemala Affairs and highlighted his distinguished career as a diplomat and mediator of the dispute. Minister Elrington further stressed Ambassador Lago's invaluable contributions to the process and thanked him on behalf of the government and people of Belize for having served with distinction, objectivity and the utmost professionalism and efficiency. Meeting of the Group of Friends of Belize and GuatemalaMarch 15, 2016OAS Headquarters, Washington, D.C.  The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Guatemala, the Honorable Wilfred Elrington and His Excellency Carlos Raul Morales, together with the Chief of the OAS Peace Fund, Ms. Magdalena Talamas, addressed the members of the Group of Friends of Belize and Guatemala, as well as other representatives of the international community and made an impassioned plea to the pool of donors to help maintain the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone, which is the only civilian peace-keeping mission deployed in the Hemisphere within the context of a territorial dispute. The Parties spoke about the crucial role that the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone plays to maintain peace on the ground, ease tensions and thus facilitate the ongoing political dialogue. Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala with OAS Secretary GeneralMarch 15, 2016OAS Headquarters, Washington, D.C.  The Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala met with OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro to reaffirm their commitment to submit Guatemala’s territorial, insular and maritime claim to the International Court of Justice for final settlement. The ministers also addressed the need to avoid incidents and tensions between the two countries, as well as to continue to strengthen the bilateral relationship. Both Foreign Ministers also called on a joint effort to raise funds for the maintenance of the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone, which functions as a civilian peace-keeping mission on the ground since 2003. Technical Meetings of the Belize-Guatemala Joint CommissionFebrurary 25, 2016OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone  On February 25, 2016, more than eighty delegates from Belize and Guatemala gathered at the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone to examine three of the thirteen bilateral agreements adopted in Placencia, Belize in 2014. The delegates first gathered at a plenary session, which later broke out into three working groups. Specifically, the working groups examined the “Agreement on the Harmonization of Operating Hours at Legal Entry Points;” “the Agreement for Sustainable Tourism” and the “Agreement for the Protection of the Environment.” All three working groups identified priority areas of collaboration, deadlines to meet the objectives set and a schedule of activities and follow-up meetings. The results of the working group exchanges and decisions were shared with all the delegates at the final plenary session.  The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Guatemala meet at the OAS/AZ OfficeJanuary 22, 2016 The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Guatemala along with the Special Representative of the OAS Secretary General met at the Office of the Organization of American States (OAS) in the Adjacency Zone (AZ) on Friday, January 22, 2016 to discuss the status of the bilateral agenda and reactivate the Belize – Guatemala Joint Commission as established under the Framework Agreement on Confidence Building Measures of 2005. They also tasked the Joint Commission to ensure the prompt implementation of the cooperation agreements that were signed in Placencia, Belize in December 2014, as well as to develop a work plan for future initiatives aimed at promoting confidence and good neighborliness between the two countries. Visit of UK to OAS/AZ OfficeJanuary 20, 2016 On January 20, 2016, the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone received a high level visit from representatives of the United Kingdom. The delegation included His Excellency Peter Hughes, High Commissioner to Belize; His Excellency Tom Carter, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Guatemala; and Mr. Jonathan Williams, Head of Section for Central America and Mexico at the Foreign Office in London. San Marcos Community Development ProjectDecember 29, 2015Dolores, Guatemala  On December 29, the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency handed over silos to the members of the San Marcos Community during the second phase of the technical development project which the Office is executing with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture of Guatemala. Photo Gallery Chambers of Commerce of Belize and Guatemala sign cooperation Agreement to further strengthen tiesDecember 9, 2015Guatemala City  Cooperation Agreement between the Chambers of Commerce of Belize and Guatemala, December 9, 2015 English Español The Chief of the OAS Peace Fund was recognized by the outgoing government of Guatemala for the invaluable work of the Office in the Belize and Guatemala Adjacency ZoneDecember 3, 2015Guatemala City  Quarterly Meeting of the ArmiesDecember 2, 2015Belize On December 2, 2015 an operational coordination meeting between the Belize Defense Force (BDF) and the Guatemalan Army was held with the participation and support of the OAS in the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone. These meetings are held every three months under the auspices of the OAS Peace Fund to exchange information on the security situation in the Adjacency Zone, discuss recent activities and schedule the link up patrols for the next three months.  Cooperation projectDecember 2015San Marcos community The OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency launches the technical cooperation project in the San Marcos community December, 2015.  Photo Gallery Culture of Peace programNovember, 2015Jalacte, Belize and Santa Cruz, Guatemala The OAS/AZ culture of peace program expands to include the communities of Jalacte, Belize and Santa Cruz, Guatemala November 2015.  Inauguration of the Culture of Peace ProgramOctober 20, 2015Jalacté, Belize/Santa Cruz-Guatemala The culture of peace program has grown significantly and now boasts more than 2000 registered students and has recently expanded to the Jalacte, Belize and Santa Cruz, Guatemala communities where local children paint and sing in their native q'uechi language. On this occasion, the children from the Jalacte and Santa Cruz communities illustrated these efforts by coming together to give a beautiful performance as part of the program.  Annual Briefing by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belize to the Diplomatic CommunitySeptember 18, 2015Belize City, Belize On September 18, 2015, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belize, Honorable Wilfred Elrington, addressed the diplomatic community gathered in Belize City to participate in the events scheduled to celebrate Belize's independence. On this occasion Minister Elrington presented the most recent activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and expressed the government's gratitude for the staunch support it has received from so many countries around the world. Minister Elrington also expressly thanked the Organization of American States for its efforts in helping Belize and Guatemala find a peaceful and permanent solution to the territorial dispute.   OAS Delegation Meets with EU AmbassadorsSeptember 18, 2015Belize City, Belize Within the framework of the events organized by the government of Belize to celebrate its independence, the Organization of American States met with the European Union Ambassadors accredited to the government of Belize to discuss the status of the process, as well as to provide updated information on the activities carried out by the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone.  Quarterly Meeting of the Guatemalan Armed Forces, the Belize Defense Force and the OASAugust 25, 2015OAS/AZ Office On August 25, 2015 an operational coordination meeting between the Belize Defense Force (BDF) and the Guatemalan Army was held with the participation and support of the OAS in the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone. These meetings are held every three months under the auspices of the OAS Peace Fund to exchange information on the security situation in the Adjacency Zone, discuss recent activities and schedule the link up patrols for the next three months.  Observation/Peacekeeping Mission in the Sarstoon RiverAugust 16, 2015At the request of the Governments of Belize and Guatemala, a special OAS observation/civilian peacekeeping mission was deployed to the Sarstoon River on August 16, 2015.  Belize and Guatemala Celebrate Week of PeaceJuly 27-29, 2015Belize City, Belize From July 27-29, 2015, the OAS Peace Fund together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize organized a series of events to inform about the Belize-Guatemala process and the role of the OAS in mediating the centuries old territorial differendum between these two sister nations. The activities included various encounters with the local media; a high-level meeting with the resident Ambassadors accredited to the Government of Belize who are members of the Group of Friends of Belize and Guatemala; a public forum attended by more than 400 people which was transmitted live via television, radio and the Internet; and several presentations by the children of the culture of peace project advanced by the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone. The Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala and the OAS host a press conference with Belizean mediaOn July 27, the Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala together with the Chief of the OAS Peace Fund hosted a press conference with the Belizean media to inform about and respond to questions regarding recent developments in the Belize-Guatemala relations and on the work of the OAS in the process. OAS Peace Fund Invited to Belizean TV Morning ShowsOAS Officials invited to discuss the role of the OAS in mediating the Belize-Guatemala dispute at popular Belizean TV programs: Channel 5’s “Open Your Eyes” and Love FM “The Morning Show” On the popular national Belizean TV Show "Open your Eyes" set, discussing the Role of the OAS AZ Office and Confidence Building Measures  Love FM & TV station in Belize - a conversation about the OAS Peace Process and the Culture of Peace Program in the AZ Meeting of the Group of Friends of Belize and GuatemalaIn the afternoon of July 27, the Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala and OAS Officials met with the members of the Group of Friends of Belize and Guatemala. The Group of Friends acts as an advisory body to the Secretary General and provides political and operational support for undertaking the various activities contemplated under the agreement on confidence-building measures in force.On this occasion, the Foreign Ministers discussed the next steps of the process to submit the dispute to the International Court of Justice for final settlement. The OAS informed the Group of Friends of the activities implemented by the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone, and a discussion of future activities aimed at implementing confidence building measures between the two countries. Likewise, the OAS presented advances in the Belize-Guatemala process, as well as the challenges that lie ahead as advances are made towards a peaceful, permanent and honorable solution to the territorial differendum.   Agenda Download OAS Peace Fund Promotes Arts among Belizean and Guatemalan ChildrenThe Culture of Peace Program is run by the OAS AZ Office to foster community to community contacts across the adjacency line. It is geared specifically at children and youths from communities on both sides of the line. The program runs from March to December on an annual basis and currently benefits the communities of El Arenal, Benque Viejo and Jalacte in Belize and the communties of El Arenal, Melchor de Mencos and Santa Cruz in Guatemala. The program offers workshops in arts, crafts, music and language. On this occasion the children of the culture of peace program were given the opportunity to showcase the results of their hard work by offering both a musical presentation as well as an art exhibit where they displayed their colorful works.   There are an estimated one hundred and twenty five art pieces on display at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts.   Forum on the Role of the OAS in Mediating the Belize Guatemala DisputeOn July 28, at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts, in Belize City, the OAS held a public forum titled “Belize-Guatemala and the OAS Working Together to build a Culture of Peace”. The Forum highlighted the role of the OAS/AZ and showcased the numerous activities it advances for the direct benefit of the peoples of Belize and Guatemala. Furthermore, the purpose of the event was also to sensitize the Belizean public about the confidence-building measures in place between the governments of Belize and Guatemala; and provide updated information on the status of the process in preparation for the referendum to submit Guatemala’s claim to the International Court of Justice.Video/Message from the OAS SG The Forum consisted of a two-hour event made for television that included presentations from the GS/OAS on the work of the OAS/AZ, on the Culture of Peace Program; comments from the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Guatemala; and music presentations by the children of the community at the end of the session. Program Download Presentation by the Chief of the OAS Peace Fund on the Role of the OAS, and remarks by the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Belize-Guatemala Affairs: The Foreign Ministers of both countries were also guest speakers at the session, and they took the opportunity to reiterate that friendly relations continue: After the Foreign Ministers of both countries spoke at the forum, the children of both communities closed the event by singing “Give Me Your Hands”. Diplomats of Belize, Guatemala and the O.A.S. were taken up to the stage by the children and they all sang together while waving the Culture of Peace flags.    Children’s breakfast promotes peace between Belize and GuatemalaOn July 29th, The Belize City Council, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the OAS Peace Fund hosted children from Belize and Guatemala at BTL Park in Belize City at a breakfast intended to celebrate the youngest citizens of both countries and promote peace and harmony. Secretary General Luis Almagro reaffirms his commitment to Belize-Guatemala ProcessMay 28, 2015Guatemala City   Two days after taking office as the new Secretary General of the OAS, Luis Almagro Lemes visited Guatemala City to reaffirm the Organization’s commitment to continue supporting Belize and Guatemala as they move ahead with their efforts to arrive at a final and definitive settlement to the dispute that exists between the two neighboring countries. During this visit, Secretary Almagro met with both Foreign Ministers, as well as with the international community to express his deep satisfaction for the progress achieved to date under the auspices of the OAS. Secretary Almagro took advantage of the opportunity to announce that he will be traveling to Belize in a short timeframe to meet with the Belizean authorities, and that he is also looking forward to visiting the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone. Press Release English Español Belize and Guatemala sign Protocol to Special AgreementMay 25, 2015Guatemala City  On May 25, 2015, the Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala, Wilfred Elrington and Carlos Raúl Morales, signed a Protocol to the 2008 Special Agreement, which will allow the governments of both countries to separately hold national referenda with a view to submitting their territorial dispute to the International Court of Justice for final settlement. Secretary General José Miguel Insulza participated as a witness of honor in the ceremony that also included members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, NGOs, representatives of other international organizations and local and international media. Protocol to Amend the Special Agreement, May 25, 2015 English Español Press Release English Español VII Summit of the AmericasApril 10-11, 2015Panama City, Panama  The Heads of State and Government of the thirty five countries of the Hemisphere gathered at the VII Summit of the Americas in Panama City, Panama from April 10-11, 2015 to discuss a myriad of political, economic and social issues on the inter-American agenda. In his inaugural speech, the Secretary General specifically mentioned the progress achieved in the Belize-Guatemala negotiations as a clear indicator that dialogue is the best way to resolve differences. Likewise, President Otto Pérez Molina of Guatemala stated that the advances in the Belize-Guatemala negotiations during Secretary Insulza´s administration allow us to finally envision a prompt and satisfactory solution to the dispute at the International Court of Justice. Speech of the President of Guatemala at the VII Summit of the Americas in Panama City, Panama on April 11, 2015 Español Speech of Jose Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the OAS opening ceremony of the VII Summit of the Americas in Panama City, Panama on April 11, 2015 English | Español The European Union announced their pledge of 1.4 million euros to the Belize Guatemala Subfund of the OAS Peace Fund.March, 2015 The European Union announced their pledge of 1.4 million euros to the Belize Guatemala Subfund of the OAS Peace Fund. This generous contribution is being used to fund the operations of the OAS/AZ Office and is critical for the continued execution of confidence-building measures in the Belize Guatemala Adjacency Zone. Quarterly Meeting of the ArmiesFebruary 25, 2015Belize  On February 25, 2015 an operational coordination meeting between the Belize Defense Force (BDF) and the Guatemalan Army was held with the participation and support of the OAS/AZ Mission in the District of Toledo, Belize. These meetings are held every three months under the auspices of the OAS Peace Fund to exchange information on the situation in the Adjacency Zone and to inform about the most recent activities and patrols carried out by the respective armies in the area.    Historic Step taken in Belize-Guatemala ProcessDecember 17, 2014 On December 17th 2014, the Prime Minister of Belize, Dean Barrow, and the President of Guatemala, Otto Perez Molina, signed thirteen bilateral agreements in key action areas[1], which constituted not only an unprecedented step in the process but a historic accomplishment; so much so that the government of Belize honored the OAS Secretary General with the most prestigious award bestowed upon a civilian foreigner: the Order of Distinction of Belize, in recognition of his diplomatic efforts and support in the advancement of the negotiation process between Belize and Guatemala. The importance of this landmark moment was augmented by the fact that both the signing and decoration took place within the framework of the SICA Summit and was witnessed by all the participating Central American Presidents and Heads of State. Likewise, in a parallel negotiation process, the security and armed forces of Belize and Guatemala adopted, under the auspices of the OAS, three highly significant agreements in strategic areas such as military to military cooperation; intelligence exchange; and joint police task forces, with a view to expanding and strengthening cooperation mechanisms, including coordinated operations among these security agencies to combat illegal activities and organized transnational crime. Following a year of intense negotiations and frequent high-level exchanges between Belizean and Guatemalan authorities and counterparts, which included the participation of influential parliamentarians and political actors representing both government and opposition parties, a consensus was finally reached to disengage the issue of the territorial dispute from the urgent need to consolidate the bilateral relationship for the sake of regional integration and cooperation. This breakthrough, inspired and led by the chairs of the Joint Commission, Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales of Guatemala and Alexis Rosado, Belizean Ambassador in Guatemala, paved the way for a successful conclusion of the Road Map’s Plan of Action, which had been promoted by the OAS following the impasse that had resulted from the suspension of the simultaneous referenda in October 2013. The Belize-Guatemala Road Map called for the strengthening of the bilateral relationship to create a climate of confidence conducive to the fixing of a new date for holding the simultaneous referenda to lead to International Court of Justice in accordance with the Special Agreement. In view of the successful outcome of the Plan of Action, there is no doubt that this foremost objective has been accomplished: the bilateral relationship between Belize and Guatemala has never been stronger.   [1] “Harmonization of Operating Hours at Legal Terrestrial Entry Points”; “Protection, Conservation, Recovery and Return of Items of Cultural and Natural Patrimony which Have Been Stolen, Pilfered, Looted, Exported, Imported or Trafficked Unlawfully”; “Mutual Recognition of Driver’s Licenses”; “Equivalency of Studies and the Recognition of Educational Documents”; “Electric Power Trade, Transmission Interconnection and Grid Connectivity”; “Protection of the Environment and the Sustainable Use of Resources”; “Expedited Deportation”; “Movement of Students Through Terrestrial Points of Entry”; “Serving of Penal Sentences”; “Program for Seasonal Workers”; “Recovery and Return of Vehicles Stolen, Confiscated or Impounded Illegally or Inappropriately”; “Facilitate the Issuance of Student Visas”; “Sustainable Tourism”. Congressional Guatemalan Delegation visits BelizeDecember 10-12, 2014Hattieville, Belize From December 10-12, 2014, four Guatemalan parliamentarians, together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, visited a group of Guatemalan prisoners in the Hattieville prison in Belize City. The visit was carried out within the framework of the Road Map Agreement adopted on January 24, 2014, which called for the strengthening of the bilateral relationship through a series of exchanges conducive to deepening the ties of friendship and mutual understanding. The visit also included a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belize, the Honorable Wilfred Elrington, and his Deputy, Ambassador Alexis Rosado. The delegations continued their informal discussions in San Pedro, Belize under the auspices of the OAS. Technical Meeting of the Joint CommissionWashington, D.C.December 8-9, 2014 The European Union becomes a member of the Group of Friends of Belize and GuatemalaDecember 8, 2014In a Note dated December 8, 2014, the Permanent Observer Mission of the European Union to the Organization of American States requested membership in the Group of Friends of Belize and Guatemala. The Note further states that the European Union’s participation in the Group of Friends would further promote the objective for a peaceful resolution to the Belize-Guatemala territorial dispute. That same day, the General Secretariat of the OAS responded favorably and expressed its great satisfaction at the decision of the European Union to join the Group of Friends at such a critical time in the process, which requires more than ever the close support of the international community. The Group of Friends serves as an advisory to provide both political and operational support for the implementation of various activities proposed in the agreement in force on Confidence-Building Measures between Belize and Guatemala. The European Union is currently the major donor to the Belize-Guatemala subfund of the OAS Peace Fund. Sweden Announces Contribution to OAS/AZ OfficeDecember 3, 2014 On December 3, 2014, the Government of Sweden announced a contribution of US$100,000 to the Belize-Guatemala Subfund of the OAS Peace Fund, as a result of the visit organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize to the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone in September 2014, where more than 60 Ambassadors accredited to the government of Belize witnessed first-hand the important work of the OAS/AZ Office and learned about the evolution of the process and the advances achieved in the past fifteen years, as a result of OAS mediation and peace-building efforts. Quarterly Meeting of the ArmiesOAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency ZoneDecember 3, 2014 On December 3, 2014, an operational coordination meeting between the Belize Defense Force (BDF) and the Guatemalan Army was held with the participation and support of the OAS/AZ Mission in Bullet Tree Falls, Cayo District, Belize. These meetings are held every three months under the auspices of the OAS Peace Fund to exchange information on the situation in the Adjacency Zone and to inform about the most recent activities and patrols carried out by the respective armies in the area. On this occasion, GPS equipment was donated to the Guatemala Army and the Belize Defense Force, pursuant to the agreement on Confidence-Building Measures which calls for the provision of specialized communications equipment to both armies by the GS/OAS. Meeting of the Joint CommissionNovember 10-16, 2014Antigua, Guatemala  Following the framework of the Road Map Agreement, a Meeting of the Joint Commission took place in Antigua, from the 10th to the 16th of November, 2014. Headed by Ambassador Alexis Rosado of Belize and Foreign Minister of Guatemala, Carlos Raúl Morale, the meetings focused on the compliance of 13 agreements to improve strong ties of friendship and cooperation between the different sectors of Belize and Guatemala, regarding questions of migration, security, education, tourism, culture, and the environment.  Photo Gallery Visit to La Rejoya Community, Flores, PetenOctober 25, 2014Guatemala  Following an incident between members of the Guatemalan La Rejoya community and the Belize Defense Force at the beginning of the month, OAS Officials were deployed to the area to de-escalate tensions. The conflict was diffused as a result of effective OAS mediation efforts. This successful outcome was followed by a high-level visit to the community led by Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales of Guatemala who met with the community and religious leaders. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexis Rosado of Belize also visited the area and met with members of the Belize Defense Force who were patrolling the Adjacency Zone.
Meeting with High Level Delegation of the European UnionOctober 15, 2014Guatemala City, Guatemala  The Foreign Minister of Guatemala, Carlos Raul Morales Moscoso, offered a working luncheon in honor of Mr. Roland Schafer, Director for the Americas of the European Union’s External Action Service. Also in attendance were His Excellency Alexis Rosado, Deputy Foreign Minister of Belize; Her Excellency Styliani Zervoudaki, Ambassador of the European Union in Guatemala; General Roberto Letona, Special Advisor to Minister Morales; the OAS Secretary General’s Special Representative for Belize-Guatemala Affairs, Ambassador Raul Lago and the Chief of the OAS Peace Fund, Magdalena Talamas. The European Union is currently the main donor of the Belize-Guatemala project. OAS Secretary General congratulates Belize and Guatemala for Agreements ReachedOctober 14, 2014Guatemala City, Guatemala In a letter addressed to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Guatemala, The Honorable Wilfred Elrington and Dr. Carlos Raúl Morales, respectively, the OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, congratulated the important steps taken by both sister nations following the signing of the agreements negotiated by the Joint Commission in the area of security. Secretary Insulza noted that “the results obtained…through the negotiation of key agreements for the first time in the bilateral relationship, constitute an unequivocal indicator of the commitment to overcoming the historical obstacle.” English | Español Meeting of Security Agencies of Belize and GuatemalaAdoption of Three Key AgreementsOctober 10, 2014 Guatemala City, Guatemala On October 10, 2014, the Belize-Guatemala Joint Commission and the OAS met at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala in compliance with Articles 17 and 20, paragraph 1, of Section D of the Agreement on a Framework for Negotiations and Confidence-Building Measures, dated September 7, 2005, as well as with the Roadmap Agreement signed on January 24, 2014, which provides for the expansion and strengthening of cooperation mechanisms, including coordinated operations among security agencies to combat illegal activities and transnational crime. Agreement English | Español Diplomatic Field Trip to the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency ZoneSeptember 20, 2014 On September 20, 2014 approximately 60 resident and non resident Ambassadors accredited to the Government of Belize visited the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone as part of the program prepared by the Government of Belize to celebrate its 33rd Independence Anniversary. The visit included remarks by His Excellency Alexis Rosado, CEO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize; Ambassador Raul Lago, Special Representative of the Secretary General for Belize-Guatemala Affairs; and Mr. Juan Fernando Valey, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Guatemala in Belize. Magdalena Talamas, Chief of the OAS Peace Fund made a presentation on the Role of the OAS in Mediating the Belize-Guatemala Territorial Dispute and answered questions from the visitors on the current situation of the process. Following the presentation, the students of the culture of peace program advanced by the OAS/AZ showcased their work by delivering an artistic and musical performance. Photo Gallery Belize-Guatemala Video presented at Foreign Minister Elrington´s Annual Press BriefingSeptember 19, 2014Belize City, Belize  On September 19, 2014, The Honorable Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belize delivered his annual briefing to the Diplomatic Corps to inform about Belize’s foreign policy initiatives, addressing national economic, social and security issues. Specifically, Minister Elrington highlighted the celebrations scheduled to mark Belize’s 33rd year of independence and stated that the peaceful resolution of Guatemala’s claim has been and remains Belize’s foremost foreign policy priority. A video on the Belize-Guatemala process produced by the OAS was presented following Minister Elrington’s speech. Meeting of the Joint CommissionSeptember 12-13, 2014San Pedro, Belize The Joint Commission convened in San Pedro, Belize from September 12-13, 2014 to continue negotiations directed at drafting a series of bilateral agreements in key priority areas, in conformity with the Plan of Action of the Road Map Agreement adopted in January 2014. Secretary of State of Spain visits the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency ZoneSeptember 9, 2014 On September 9, 2014, His Excellency D. Jesús Gracia, Spanish Secretary of State for International Cooperation and Iberoamerican Affairs visited the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone with other high level authorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain. During the visit, the delegation renewed its support to the Belize-Guatemala process and pledged additional support for the Office, as well as for the social development projects in the Adjacency Zone communities. Spain is a member of the Group of Friends of Belize and Guatemala, as well as a key partner and donor country.    Meeting of the Joint CommissionSeptember 1-4, 2014Guacamayas Reserve, Paso Caballos, Guatemala  From September 1-4, 2014, the Deputy Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala and OAS Officials gathered at the Guacamayas Biological Station in Paso Caballos Guatemala to continue negotiations directed at drafting a series of bilateral agreements in key priority areas, in conformity with the Plan of Action of the Road Map Agreement adopted in January 2014. The remote and tranquil setting of the venue facilitated a candid dialogue and exchange among the high level authorities and much progress was achieved to continue to strengthen neighborly ties of friendship and cooperation.   Technical Meetings of the Joint CommissionAugust 31, 2014Chaa, Creek, Belize  On August 31, 2014, representatives of the Joint Commission heads met at a technical level in Chaa Creek, Belize to continue to negotiate a series of bilateral agreements contemplated in the Plan of Action of the Road Map Agreement adopted by the Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala on January 24, 2014. The purpose of these agreements is strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation between the governments and peoples of Belize and Guatemala, as well as to create a climate of confidence conducive to the fixing of a date for holding the necessary referenda to lead to the International Court of Justice, in accordance with Article 1 of the Special Agreement. Quarterly Meeting of the ArmiesAugust 27, 2014Guatemala  On August 27, 2014 an operational coordination meeting between the Belize Defense Force (BDF) and the Guatemalan Army was held in Bullet Tree Falls, Cayo District, Belize with the participation and support of the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone. These meetings are held every three months under the auspices of the OAS Peace Fund to exchange information on the situation in the Adjacency Zone and to inform about the most recent activities and patrols carried out by the respective armies in the area.   Turkey announces contribution to Belize-Guatemala ProcessAugust 19, 2014 The Government of Turkey announced a contribution of US$100,000 to the OAS Peace Fund/Belize-Guatemala Subfund following a fruitful meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala and OAS Officials within the framework of the OAS General Assembly in June where Turkey reiterated its commitment to supporting peace efforts worldwide and renewed its support for the confidence-building measures in place in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone. Visit to the San Marcos CommunityAugust 11-14, 2014San Marcos, Guatemala  From August 11-14, 2014, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Guatemala, Carlos Raul Morales, accompanied by OAS Officials visited the San Marcos Community, located to the West of the Adjacency Line. The visit included exchanges with community and religious leaders, as well as with other local representatives. The delegation explored the possibility of executing a technical cooperation project in the community to help improve the economies of the resident families.  Guatemalan Congressional Delegation Visits Adjacency ZoneJuly 10-11, 2014The Plan of Action of the Road Map agreement called for the promotion of activities directed at strengthening the bilateral relationship between Belize and Guatemala. In that spirit, from July 10-11, 2014, a group of Guatemalan parliamentarians visited Belize where they met with high level officials to exchange information and discuss possible areas of joint collaboration, including cultural projects in view of the Mayan heritage that both countries share. The delegation also visited the Monte de los Olivos community in Guatemala, which is located very close to the Adjacency Zone. Adoption of Resolution AG/CG/doc. (XLIV-O/14)5 >> REV. 1
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Beyond Rio+20: Implementing Green Economies and the Outlook for Sustainable Development in the Americas Americas Project 2012  Learn more about Americas Project Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada visit to OAS Adjacency Zone OfficeOctober 13, 2012  The Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs), completed her official visit to Central America, visiting the Belize and Guatemala Adjacency Zone. The Minister was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of Belize’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Alexis Rosado, Guatemala’s Vice-Minister of External Relations, Carlos Raúl Morales, and the OAS Secretary General’s Special Representative for Belize and Guatemala, Ambassador Raúl Lago, the Chief of the Peace Fund, Magdalena Talamas and the Director of the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone, Sergio Benitez. “Our government is committed to working alongside our neighbours throughout the region to improve safety and security for the people who call the Americas home,” said Minister Ablonczy. “Canada is pleased that Guatemala and Belize are working closely together to resolve the issue of the Adjacency Zone between their two countries. We are confident that a resolution will improve the stability and security of both nations and are pleased to be helping to achieve a peaceful result.” The work of the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone is crucial as it contributes to reducing violence and insecurity, while improving prospects and conditions for effective conflict resolution. Canada recently announced $1 million in additional support for the Organization of American States (OAS) Office in the Adjacency Zone to help it in its work to bring Guatemala and Belize toward a permanent solution. This adds to the $445,000 Canada has contributed to the Office since 2009.
High Level Meeting between Belize and GuatemalaOAS Headquarters in Washington, DC A high-level Ministerial meeting was held at the headquarters of the OAS on July 31, 2012. The meeting was called to address a number of sensitive and pending issues that were confronting the AZ and both countries due, in part, to a series of events and incidents that had raised tensions on both sides. This Ministerial meeting helped to diffuse tensions by offering an avenue for frank discussion and dialogue at a high level. In addition, the meeting touched on the preparations for the October 6, 2013 referendum. Both parties presented on their preparatory efforts and offered plans and ideas of how to proceed with the process. Belize and Guatemala made preliminary budgetary indications and recognized that exterior financial assistance would be absolutely necessary to raise the needed funds for a successful sensitization and referendum process. In conclusion, both parties requested assistance from the OAS in preparing for the referendum and the OAS agreed to arrange for a gathering of countries—in and outside the Group of Friends—at the margins of an upcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to discuss financing. Participants in this meeting included:
Promotion of a Culture of PeaceJune - December 2012 
Support for children and youth is part of the Mission’s ongoing efforts in the Belize and Guatemala Adjacency Zone geared towards the promotion and development of a culture of peace. To this end, and in coordination with the Mayors of the communities on either side of the Adjacency Line, Melchor de Menco and Benque Viejo, the OAS/AZ Office will execute a culture of peace program that will run throughout 2012. The program will consist of music (wind and string instruments), singing, painting and theater workshops and training programs for Belizean and Guatemalan students resident in the area. Visit the Photo Gallery
HRH Prince Harry of Wales visits the OAS Office in the Adjacency ZoneMarch 3, 2012 On March 3, 2012, as part of his tour of three Caribbean countries, in celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee, Prince Harry of Wales visited the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone to observe the culture of peace program where children of Belize and Guatemala showcased the artwork and musical skills that they have acquired through this initiative. The Ambassador of Guatemala in Belize, Manuel Tellez, the Ambassador of Belize in Guatemala, Alfredo Martinez, Jamie Lowther Pinkerton, Prince Harry’s Private Secretary, the OAS SG’s Special Representative, Ambassador Raul Lago and the Chief of the OAS Peace Fund, Magdalena Talamas, were present during the presentation on the work of the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone, which was made by the OAZ Director, Sergio Benitez. Sir David Manning, a former British diplomat, who was the British Ambassador to the United States from 2003 to 2007 also formed part of the British delegation.
The OAS delivers humanitarian aid at Monte de los Olivos, GuatemalaFebruary 11, 2012 
An OAS delegation headed by Ambassador Raul Lago, Special Representative of the Secretary General for Belize and Guatemala visited the Monte de los Olivos village on February 11, 2012 to deliver large sacks of rice, beans, oil and other basic goods to the family of a Guatemalan citizen of Kekchi origin who recently died during an incident in the Adjacency Zone. The OAS delegation, which also included the Director of the OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone, Sergio Benitez, and the Chief of the OAS Peace Fund, Magdalena Talamas, spoke to the widow and family of the deceased and expressed their deepest condolences and reiterated its commitment to helping the communities that inhabit the Adjacency Zone. Two representatives from the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman of Dolores, Peten also accompanied the delegation.
Verification in Belize's Chiquibul National ParkJanuary 29, 2012 
On January 29, the Director of the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone, Sergio Benitez, and the Chief of the OAS Peace Fund, Magdalena Talamas, carried out a verification in Belize´s Chiquibul National Park with the accompaniment of Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director of the Belizean NGO Friends for Conservation and Development, and Derric Chan, Manager of the Park, to observe the increasing damages that the Park is suffering as a result of illegal logging and extraction of natural resources. The OAS, through its Office in the Adjacency Zone, is identifying opportunities for joint collaboration to mitigate the effects of these activities on this priceless natural reserve.
Visit of Foreign and Defense Ministers of Guatemala to the OAS Office in the Adjacency ZoneBelize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone 
Shortly after assuming their new duties, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, Harold Caballeros, together with the Minister of Defense, Ulises Anzueto, travelled to the Adjacency Zone, accompanied by the Belize Commission (COMBEL) of the Guatemalan Foreign Ministry. As part of their visit to the AZ, the delegation visited the OAS Office, where they were greeted by the Special Representative of the Secretary General, Ambassador Raul Lago. The Director of the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone, Sergio Benitez, made a presentation on the work of the Mission.
PAIGH Cartographic and Geospatial Training WorkshopOAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency ZoneAugust 23-27, 2011  From August 23 to 27, an expert from the Pan American Institute of Geography and History (PAIGH) offered specialized cartographic and geospatial training, as well as on the correct use of advanced GPS equipment to the Belize Defense Forces and the Guatemalan Army. The workshop took place in the facilities of the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone. 
The OAS Office in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone carries out various activities, of which the verifications, their follow-up and preparation of reports on any incident in the Adjacency Zone (AZ) are not only the most important regular activity but also provide the means to ensure a constant presence among the communities in the area. Their most tangible result is to detect any anomaly or conflict in its early stages, in order to respond immediately and thus prevent an escalation of the conflict that could damage relations between communities and officials, as well as between the two countries. Some verifications demand a high level of precision in terms of cartography and coordinates reading, particularly in cases where the verification sites are very close to the Adjacency Line. In these cases, the Pan American Institute of Geography and History (PAIGH) supports the efforts of the OAS/AZ Office by providing experts, training and specialized equipment to ensure the utmost accuracy of the data. Publication: OAS: Peace, Democracy and Conflict Resolution (Spanish version) Virtual Library of Inter-American Peace Iniciatives
The Peace Fund Website spans three centuries of peace-related initiatives in the Americas and includes historic documents and photographs from the very beginnings of the inter-American system. This is a unique resource to learn about the prominent role that the Organization of American States and its predecessor institutions have played in promoting regional integration and hemispheric peace. Coming soon. Corporate Social Responsibility for a Culture of PeaceBuenos Aires, ArgentinaThough apparently distinct and apart, Business and Peace share nonetheless critical linkages that must not be overlooked. It is undeniable that the vast majority of businesses require a peaceful and stable environment in order to prosper and that conflict poses extremely high risks to their operations and reputation. On the other hand, and as empirical evidence has demonstrated, businesses can also play a decisive role in promoting and strengthening peace. The cornerstone of this virtuous cycle between enterprise and peace is Corporate Social Responsibility. By pursuing ethical business practices, rooted on the principles of transparency and sound governance, environmental sustainability, social cohesion and respect for the human rights, companies can indeed be catalysts of peace. More than an investment incentive, corporate engagement in peacebuilding is a moral imperative. Recognizing the potential of the private sector to foster understanding, tolerance and peace, and the need for a more profound debate on the current status of CSR in the interamerican context, the Peace Fund of the Organization of American States in collaboration with the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development of the OAS and FOPAZ, will hold a seminar on “CSR for a Culture of Peace” in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This forum will convene prominent business leaders, senior government officials as well as civil society representatives to debate the role of CSR in promoting a culture of peace, examine the latest advances in this area and share successful experiences and best practices. Through an ambitious two-day program which addresses the various dimensions of CSR, from Gender to Sustainable Development to Youth Engagement, the OAS Peace Fund and FOPAZ intend to raise awareness on and enhance the CSR policies and initiatives in the Western Hemisphere and to decisively root business in the inter-american peace agenda. |
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Peace and Water Conference Water is the fuel of life. Yet, as it becomes scarcer and its quality deteriorates, due to heightened demand, pollution and the effects of climate change, competition over this vital resource is also increasing, leading many academics, politicians, practitioners and media to claim that future wars will be over water. The defiant nature of water, freely crossing political boundaries, raises this conflict potential and seems to back such claims. However, a more optimistic school of thought is gaining ground, asserting that history has proven water to be a greater pathway to peace than conflict between riparian nations.
In the framework of its Integrated Water Resource Management program and the Peace Fund, the OAS will hold a conference on Water and Peace in the Americas to debate the risks of conflict in shared waters - a critical question in a region that houses over 70 major transboundary river basins and to find ways of turning them into opportunities for dialogue, cooperation and trust, so that water becomes not a trigger of war but a catalyst for regional peace. |
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20th Anniversary of the CIAV-Nicaragua (International Support and Verification Commission)The International Support and Verification Commission (Comisión Internacional de Apoyo y Verificación, CIAV) was created by the Organization of American States and the United Nations on August 25, 1989 in support of the Esquipulas II Peace Plan with the purpose of demobilizing and reinserting into society illegal armed groups. Under its mandate (1990-1997), approximately 22, 500 combatants were demobilized and 18,000 Nicaraguan citizens were repatriated from Honduras and Costa Rica. During its seven-year existance, CIAV-OAS successfully carried out a series of civilian peace-keeping and peace-building activities which involved: facilitation, dialogue and negotiation; guarantees for negotiators; disarmament; demobilization; repatriation; humanitarian assistance; verification of peace accords; human rights observation; and reintegration programs, among others. See Photo Gallery |
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Chiefs of OAS Peace Missions MeetingWashington, DCSome of the Organization’s leading experts on conflict resolution and peace building gathered at a major conference in the Hall of the Americas on September 21, 2010 to commemorate International Peace Day and mark the 20th Anniversary of the International Support and Verification Commission (CIAV-Nicaragua). This conference, organized within the framework of the Inter-American Peace Forum, featured current and former Chiefs of OAS Peace Missions who provided key insights and reflected on the main challenges and results of the missions they headed. The keynote address was made by OAS Assistant Secretary General. Ambassador Albert Ramdin, who delivered the closing remarks. This event provided a unique opportunity to examine the role of the OAS in conflict resolution in the Americas, as well as to better understand the current and potential threats to hemispheric peace and identify opportunities and challenges for future OAS Peace Missions. The CIAV/OEA, the Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia (MAPP/OEA), the Mission of Good Offices between Colombia and Ecuador (MIB/OEA), the Peace Fund Mission for Belize and Guatemala and the recent diplomatic mission to Honduras are some of the OAS peace initiatives discussed. Program |
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Rural Tourism Enterprises as an Income Generator Course The Course Rural Tourism Enterprises as an Income Generator took place on August 23-27, 2010, in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone under the auspices of the OAS Peace Fund and in coordination with the Young Americas Business Trust (YABT). Through this initiative, the Peace Fund hopes to help promote development in the Adjacency Zone, strengthen cooperation between Belize and Guatemala and bring the communities along the Adjacency Line closer together. Course Description With the decline of international tourism and more customers willing to vacation within their home countries, there are new opportunities for small businesses in the rural tourism sector. The creation of small businesses in the tourism sector in rural communities would have a positive impact and encourage economic growth in the region. The course will address a major consideration needed before initiating a project in rural tourism, which is the planning policies for employment creation that promote investments and new start-ups in peripheral areas. Additionally, these policies should place a strong emphasis on sustainable activities that balance development and the conservation of the environment and local customs. The objectives of the course include the development of a proposal for the creation of a rural tourism enterprise through the identification of factors and potential opportunities related to tourism development in rural areas. |
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International Peace Day |
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| CLARA ROJAS shares her account of struggle and survival in the Colombian jungle, where she was held captive by the FARC guerrilla for almost 6 years: a story of dignity, tenacity, and determination in the face of adversity.
Inter-American Peace Forum Monday, September 21, 2009 Hall of the Americas, OAS Washington, D.C.
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Clara Rojas
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The Day After Peace Documentary Sreening |
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| The Day After Peace charts the remarkable 10-year journey taken by award winning filmmaker Jeremy Gilley to establish a day of Peace on September 21st. During the course of his mission the camera follows Gilley as he galvanizes the countries of the world to recognize this as an official day of ceasefire and non-violence. After the official motion is unanimously adopted in the UN, Gilley turns his efforts to implementing the ideals of Peace Day around the world. Celebrity support from the likes of Angelina Jolie and Jonny Lee Miller and corporate support from Puma, Coca-Cola, Ben & Jerry’s and Ecover enhances the momentum. Jeremy’s persistence is rewarded when UNICEF, the World Health Organisation and local affected communities decide to try and use the Day to carry out a mass vaccination against Polio, in one of the toughest conflict areas in the world, Afghanistan. Jeremy asks Jude Law to accompany him to Afghanistan, to help persuade the government and insurgents to ratify Peace Day. The task seems impossible, but pure human spirit in a country exhausted with conflict, may just win through. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Notas de Paz |
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| A child who learns to play an instrument will never hold a weapon Notas de Paz is a youth symphonic orchestra made up of underprivileged children and youngsters from the poor neighborhood of Bellavista in the city of Cali, Colombia. Created in March, 2007 by initiative of the Scarpetta Foundation, the project aims at offering an alternative path to children who are daily exposed to the hardships of extreme poverty, violence, abuse and delinquency. Musical education is used as a strategy to foster discipline, team-spirit and tolerance as well as mutual and self-respect. Through the transforming power of music, Notas de Paz drives these children and youngsters away from violence and promotes a culture of peace in their marginalized communities. The strategy has proven to be successful as the violence indicators in the contemplated district have significantly lowered. See Full Program | Photo Gallery
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Exhibit of Historic Photographs of Columbus Memorial Library |
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| Throughout more than 60 years of existence, the OAS has strived to foster peace and prosperity in the Western Hemisphere. Preserved in the archives of the Columbus Memorial Library, the photographs that document some of the most significant moments in this quest for a peaceful hemispheric coexistence now come to light in a unique photographic exhibition. The Columbus Memorial Library houses the world's most complete collection of photographs, maps, commemorative stamps, archives, and records documenting the history of the Organization of American States and its predecessor agencies from 1889 to the present. The extensive collection of books and periodicals dates back to 1535. The library holds one of the richest repositories for material on the Inter-American system in the world. Today the Columbus Memorial Library is responsible for the Archives and Records Management Program of the OAS General Secretariat, and for preserving and indexing the OAS official documents, as well as carrying out the functions of a traditional library. The Columbus Memorial Library serves the staff of the OAS General Secretariat, Permanent Missions and Permanent Observer Missions to the OAS, Embassies and researchers throughout this hemisphere and the world. See Full Program
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Display of Major Works of Permanent Collection of the Art Museum of the Americas |
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| A selected group of major art works of the Permanent Collection of the Art Museum of the Americas will be on display at the OAS Main Building from September through December, 2009. These include an oil on canvas titled Testimonial del Tiempo by César Menendez, a Salvadoran artist whose exceptional paintings depict a surreal world that reflects death and tragedy, inspired by the struggles of the Central American people with ruling military dictatorships, as well as an important piece by Colombian artist Alejandro Obregon who at different times throughout his career produced works related to political violence in Colombia since 1948. Obregon’s Estudiante Muerto, awarded the national prize for Colombia at the 1956 Guggenheim International Exhibition, belongs to a group of paintings commemorating students and popular leaders who lost their lives during this period of social unrest. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Art Exhibition Related to Peace Permanent Collection of the Art Museum of the Americas Tuesday, September 22, 2009 OAS Main Building Washington, D.C. |
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Repainting the planet the colors of peace Chalk4Peace is a global chalk art project which turns pavements into a blank canvas where young artists of all ages can create messages and images that materialize their visions of peace. Founded by John Aaron, a long time artist, educator and events coordinator, in 2003 in Arlington, Virginia, Chalk4Peace started as a Sunday sidewalk chalk project for children. It has since spread to four continents, thus becoming a global event to promote peace through art. The OAS Art Group has collaborated with Chalk4Peace since 2006 and is once again joining the initiative to celebrate the International Peace Day. See Full Program
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Coexist Sow Peace/Convivir Sembrar PazThe OAS Peace Fund proudly supported the Coexist Sow Peace Campaign in December, 2008. This initiative is sponsored by the United Nations, the Catholic Church, the UNIR Foundation, and many other institutions who are working together to create an environment where the Bolivian society can promote peace as an engine for change. It is a movement that seeks to commit every sector of the country to peaceful coexistence based on the principles of tolerance, mutual respect, acceptance and understanding of differences. |
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"Giving Peace a Chance", New Film Series in Cine Americas, from December 15 to 18The OAS Peace Fund sponsored the Cine Americas Film Series “Giving Peace a Chance” featuring selected movies from different countries in the Americas that tell stories about people trying to make the world more peaceful by resolving conflicts, dealing with the consequences of violence, following the path of nonviolence, struggling against oppression, and/or appealing to standards of justice. The movies chosen for this series address peace topics in daily life, in communities, and in international settings. Cine Americas is a program of the Art Museum of the Americas of the Organization of American States. |
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Rural Tourism Course as an Income Generator |
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Photo gallery For more information, please contact us peacefund@oas.org |
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