U.N. Sec Gen António Guterres Cancels Visit to Belize

The United Nations Secretary General António Guterres was scheduled to arrive in Belize on Wednesday. Aside from making an appearance at the CARICOM/S.I.C.A. Meeting being held on Ambergris Caye and other events, Guterres was to get a first-hand view of the environmental devastation in Monkey River Village, which was captured by News Five’s Duane Moody in a feature story on severe erosion that’s threatening the existence of the village. Today, Executive Director of Five C’s, Doctor Colin Young spoke about the unfortunate cancelation.

Dr. Colin Young

Dr. Colin Young, Executive Director, Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre

“The U.N. Secretary General had cancelled his visit to Belize and my understanding is because of the unfolding situation with Ukraine and Russia. Obviously this is a consequential issue that is happening globally and so it is totally understandable as to why that visit would have had to be cancelled. I am hoping that at sometime in the future, he will be able to visit Belize and to visit the center. I believe the visit to Monkey River would have been particularly important because he could have gotten a very frontline view of the devastation that is being caused by climate change; including sea level rise. And of course, at the center it would have been an honor and privilege to have hosted him there. So we are looking forward that perhaps in the future he will make a visit.”