The Escazu Agreement, it's a tool used for the protection of the environment and human rights, guaranteeing informed public participation in environmental matters.
Recently the major international agreement hit a roadblock when one of the lead promoters, Costa Rica, decided to shelve it.
And, in view of that, Belize has also taken a wait and see approach. But, tonight, the Belize Network of NGO's is urging the government to take some regional leadership and embrace Escazu.
Earlier this month, the Senate authorized the Government to ratify Escazú. And tonight, Belizean conservation non-governmental organizations are calling on Belmopan to take the necessary steps to bring the agreement into force.
Earlier this week - the leader of opposition's senior senator said he doesn't know why government would bring a bill they didn't want to sign:
Reporter
"The question now is why must there be a delay of ratification using the Costa Rica excuse?"
Mike Peyrefitte, Chairman, UDP
"I have no answer for you. I am not the leader of government business. One would think that if you are not ready to ratify, you're not ready to act on a particular treaty or anything like that, then why bring it to the senate in the first place? But they decided to bring it, get the senate to approve it and whatever action they take from there on, I would think that if he were to bring something to the senate is because you would want to see it to completion. If they choose to not do that, then that's a question for them that only they can answer."
So far, 13 other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have ratified the Escazú Agreement.
