113 public officers received certification yesterday for completing the strengthening public expenditure management project under The ministry of Public Service. The programme was made possible through a partnership with the ministry, UB and funding from IDB. The project first commenced in September 2025, here are the highlights from that event.
Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service
"Today marks a proud and significant milestone for Belize's public service as we celebrate the successful completion of the strengthening public expenditure management certificate program. SPEM, Dr Palacio said he heard a lot about it and I have to admit when I first heard that Acronym I was a little nervous about how it would have been utilized. I won't say anymore than that. But I have to say that it has certainly developed into a very important milestone for our public service. This program was created to build skills in planning, opening, reporting, controls and ultimately the delivery of services to our people. It was designed not merely to instruct but to transform how we manage public resources ensuring we become better financial stewards for a stronger, more sustainable Belizean economy."
"All of you were training and certified across the key areas that drive a well run country accounting, including IPSAS, principles and auditing, budgeting including techniques and forecasting, treasury and cash flow management, procurement including national and international regulations and contract management, internal controls and risk based auditing."
Dr. Vincent Palacio, President of the University of Belize
"Five certificate strains there were 13 courses and a competency framework shaped by public sector practitioners and development partners. Since September of 2025 more than 100 officers have engaged in this program. You balance demanding roles with further training, you navigated new tools and tackled real world financial management challenges. Your efforts reflect professionalism and commitment of which we are extremely proud."
Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary General, CARICOM
"Today's certification is a milestone that reflects not only individual achievements but also a collective determination among the partners, the Government of Belize, the University of Belize and the Inter American Development Bank to continue to strengthen the foundations of fiscal management. The pursuit of strong public financial management is critical to the sustainable development of small, developing states like Belize which face a unique set of challenges, vulnerability to external shocks such as the global and economic trade instability that we are all now experiencing is compounded by increase risks of extreme weather events associated with climate change as economies with narrow economic bases dependent on global markets where we are prize takers and limited fiscal space. There is intense pressure on public resources and therefore every public dollar matters."
