Belize has officially launched the investment phase of the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF), becoming the first country in the Caribbean to implement SOFF support through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This initiative is intended to strengthen the country’s ability to collect, share and use basic weather and climate observations data to inform forecasts and early warnings and build resilience against climate change.
With more than US$860,000 in grant funding, the National Meteorological Service of Belize, under the Ministry of Public Service, Governance and Disaster Risk Management, is supported by the IDB serving as SOFF Implementing Entity, and the UK Met Office acting as peer advisor.
Upgrading observational systems
The SOFF initiative in Belize focuses on strengthening institutional capacity, human resources and meteorological infrastructure. A central component is the upgrade of the weather station in Punta Gorda, which will be brought into compliance with the Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) standards. This upgrade will complement the existing GBON-compliant station at the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, significantly enhancing Belize’s contribution to the global exchange of high-quality meteorological data.
The project builds on the completed SOFF Readiness phase, during which a comprehensive National Gap Analysis, National Contribution Plan and Country Hydromet Diagnostics were developed. These tools identified the improvements needed for Belize to meet GBON standards and sustain its observational systems over the long term.
Reducing disaster risks
By closing data gaps and enabling the sharing of real-time basic weather and climate observations with the global meteorological community, SOFF investments in Belize are expected to not only strengthen national resilience but also enhance forecasting accuracy across the Caribbean and beyond.
Hon. Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service, Governance and Disaster Risk Management, commented, “The Government of Belize recognizes the importance of the global sharing of meteorological data, since weather phenomena know no political or territorial boundaries. We therefore commit to providing the support necessary to ensure the successful implementation of this project and to sustain Belize’s GBON compliance. After all, we do recognize that the ultimate objective is the availability of life-saving weather forecasts, which ties in with this government commitment to reducing disaster risks and protecting lives and livelihoods.”
Belize took part in the SOFF Caribbean Regional Workshop, co-hosted by CREWS and IDB in Kingston, Jamaica, in May 2025. The workshop brought together national meteorological and hydrological services, regional institutions and partners to align regional efforts. Belize shared its experiences and contributed valuable insights on national coordination and capacity-building.
In related news, the 11th SOFF Steering Committee recently extended the SOFF’s first implementation period until June 2027, and moved to mobilize up to US$200m
