The Scout Association of Belize

Regional Workshop on Pollution Prevention and Control in the Gulf of Honduras

In work group sessions

A one-day Regional Workshop for the Administration and Coordination Transfer of the Key Stakeholders Regional Network for Pollution Prevention and Control in the Gulf of Honduras” was held on November 30, 2010 in Puerto Cortes, Honduras.  This Workshop was sponsored by the Central American Commission of Maritime Transportation (COCATRAM), through the Environmental Protection and Maritime Transportation Pollution Control Project in the Gulf of Honduras. 

The workshop objectives were to guarantee capacity building of the Key Stakeholders Network according to the rules in its Bylaws and its Communication Strategy, as well as its sustainability on the long run. It is for this purpose that the transfer of the Key Stakeholders Network’s administration and activities coordination is being carried out.

Participants at the Workshop                                                    Belize Delegation                                                                    

Present at the forum were 22 key stakeholders who represented government organizations, non government organizations, and the private sector in the Gulf of Honduras region (Belize, Guatemala and Honduras), whose commitment is on port and maritime management, pollution prevention and control, and preservation of coastal areas in the region.  Belize was represented by Mr. Ricardo N. Alcoser from The Scout Association of Belize.  Other stake holders from Belize included members from the Hol-Chan Marine reserve, the Port of Big Creek and the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute.

Mr. Alcoser doing presentation

As part of the forum, Mr. Alcoser did a presentation on behalf of the National Committee Key Stakeholders Network in Belize.  The presentation included information on the number of members that make up the committee in Belize, the activities that they are promoting and carrying out with regards to the prevention and control of pollution in the Gulf of Honduras, and what is the expectation of the Belize Network in the next couple years.  The presentation was made in Power Point and highlighted each member’s institutional Mission and Vision.  At the end of the presentations the national committee members met to discuss the Operative plan of 2008 and 2009 to see how they have advanced and accomplished the activities as well as set out the new Operative plan for the 2010 - 2011 period.  This will be to better establish the regional coordination that will be administered through COCATRAM using the member organizations of the Network elected for such purpose as a coordinating arm.

Signing of the Agreement

At the end of the one day workshop participants elected the coordination of the project to be done by the Empresa Nacional Portuaria (ENP) of Honduras and the Administration of such to COCATRAM.  In addition, conclusions and recommendations were taken into consideration for the efficient transfer of administration and coordination of the Network and its Operative Plan was established.  The agreements were then signed by the parties and will constitute formal commitments to accomplish the future actions of the Network, its members and the organizations accompanying the process.