Joint United Nations Development Programme – Government of Belize Equipment Handing Over Ceremony

January 24, 2023

Left to Right: Alexia Peralta - Director, E-Governance and Digitalization Unit, Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics, & E-Governance, Jose Urbina - Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics and E-Governance, Ian King - UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Hon. Magali Marin Young - Attorney General, Government of Belize, Hon. Michel Chebat - Minister of Public Utilities, Logistics and E-Governance, Elisa Montalvo - Solicitor General, Government of Belize

The Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics, and E-Governance, through the E-Governance and Digitalization Unit, alongside the Attorney General’s Ministry through the Vital Statistics Unit, were both recipients of ICT equipment in support of the Digital Inclusion Grant Programme and the Strengthening Civil Registry Grant Project respectively courtesy of the UNDP.

The Digital Inclusion Grant Programmme, which is guided by Belize’s National Digital Agenda and driven by the E-Governance and Digitalization Unit, will see a network of Digital Connect Centers being established countrywide, connecting Belizeans to the wider world through General Adult Digital Literacy Training, Specialized Digital Skills Bootcamps, and continuous digital access. As such, the ICT equipment received will complement the Digital Skills Training provided within these centers and will serve as tools to empower Belizeans. The handed-over equipment includes, but is not limited to, desktop computers, headsets, and printers.

The Strengthening of Civil Registry Grant Project, driven by the Attorney General’s Ministry and supported by the E-Governance and Digitalization Unit, will see the Vital Statistics Unit developing a comprehensive brand and communication strategy, improving the visual identity of the VSU and the improvement and establishing of new communication channels for the public. In addition, this project will also allow for the creation of a comprehensive organizational management strategy and plan to strengthen the VSU’s capacity to improve customer satisfaction, service quality, and awareness. The handed-over equipment includes, but is not limited to desktop computers, headsets, and printers.

The total value of the goods handed over by Mr. Ian King, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme Belize, is USD 63,000.00. The equipment was received by Hon. Minister Michel Chebat S.C., Hon. Magali Marin-Young S.C., Attorney General of Belize, and Ms. Elisa Montalvo, Solicitor General and Registrar of the Vital Statistics Unit.

Through the support of the UNDP, both the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics, and E-Governance, and the Attorney General’s Ministry will continue bridging the digital divide and creating public value.

For more information: Contact the E-Governance and Digitalization Unit under the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics, & E-Governance at 828-4785\9062 or info@egov.gov.bz.

United Nations Development Programme: Amilin Mendez, amilin.mendez@undp.org Inclusive Growth and Digitization

Program Analyst