October 2025

The Belize Fund joined Conservation Trust Funds (CTFs) from across Latin America and the Caribbean at RedLAC Congress 2025, sharing lessons, innovations, and regional priorities for scaling sustainable finance. As a network of environmental funds committed to advancing effective conservation financing, RedLAC continues to play a critical role in shaping how countries safeguard biodiversity while supporting community resilience. Driving Better Impact Reporting for Conservation On September 28, 2025, Program Manager Josué Oliva and Project Officer Patty Pate participated in a workshop on Impact Reporting for Conservation Trust Funds, hosted by The Nature Conservancy. During the session, Josué shared how the Belize Fund is strengthening its systems to measure, track, and communicate results under the Belize Blue Bonds and Debt-for-Nature Swap. He emphasized three pillars guiding our approach: Through continuous learning and partnership, the Belize Fund remains committed to transparent, results-driven reporting that shows how sustainable financing creates meaningful change. Blue Finance for Locally-led Action RedLAC focused on the urgent need for sustainable ocean finance, especially as coastal communities face growing climate risks. With nearly 40% of the world’s population living near vulnerable coasts, our regional CTFs are proving that investing in nature is the smartest choice. Smart Financing for a Sustainable Future On October 2, 2025, our Executive Director, Dr. Leandra Cho-Ricketts, joined the panel “Green Bonds and Blue Bonds: Smart Financing for a Sustainable Future.” Dr. Ricketts reflected on key challenges in ocean conservation and how they guide our work at the Belize Fund—from measuring the real impact of the funding we provide to using targeted communications that amplify results and reach the people who matter most. Belize Fund Joins RedLAC’s Executive Committee A proud milestone for Belize—Dr. Leandra Cho-Ricketts has been elected to the RedLAC Executive Committee, the network’s core working body. In this role, she will work alongside regional leaders to: This achievement reflects Belize’s growing leadership in conservation financing and our commitment to regional collaboration and innovation. Looking Ahead RedLAC Congress 2025 underscored the transformative potential of sustainable financing across the Caribbean and Latin America. By combining scientific evidence, strong monitoring, and effective communications, as well as elevating community-led conservation, we are happy to contribute to regional efforts that champion approaches that uplift people while protecting nature.