During the period of July 22-25, 2008 the Belize Port Authority (BPA) in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Utilities, NEMO, Transport and Communication hosted the 13^th Caribbean MOU  on Port State Control Committee held at the Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina, Cahal Pech Conference Room.  The meeting was held to acknowledge Belize as a full member of the CMOU on Port State Control.  “The Caribbean Memorandum of Understanding (CMOU) on Port State Control has been rightly regarded as a catalyst for the advancement and development of Maritime Administrations in the Caribbean Region, and remains committed to the eradication of sub standard shipping not only in the Caribbean region but on a Global level”.  This gave Belize the opportunity to showcase its progress and initiatives to develop the Port/Maritime Sector. Over 20 delegates representing countries throughout the Caribbean Region had attended the meeting. Present at the meeting were invited guest, Ministerial Observers and the Belize Port Authority Board of Directors Local Observers; Shipping Agents, Port Facility Operators, Port Authority’s Management team. 

To inaugurate the meeting an opening ceremony was held on the 22 July 2008. Masters of Ceremony was Mr. Thomas Valerio, Operations Manager of the Belize Port Authority.  Head table consisted of the Ltc. George Lovell, C.E.O Ministry of Public Utilities, Nemo, Transport and Communication, Mr. William Longsworth, Chairman, Major (Ret’d) Lloyd Jones, Ports Commissioner, and Mr. Ivor English, Chairman  of the CMOU, Mr. Dwight Gardiner, Vice Chairman of the CMOU, and Ms. Katarina McGhie, Secretary of the CMOU.    The ceremony was officially opened by the Garifuna Group, “ Laruni Hati” who performed the National Anthem both in English and Garifuna.Fr. Dan White conducted the invocation.  After the closing of the opening ceremony delegates were invited to the Cocktail party where they were entertained by local groups such as; Mr. Peter’s Boom and Chine Band, the Ugundany and Yo Creek Mestizo Dance Group.

The official meeting was held on 23-24 July 2008.  It was in that meeting on 23 July 2008 that Belize was acknowledged as a full member of CMOU. After officially closing of the meeting, on 24 July 2008 the delegates were taken out for a fun night in Belize at the Buccaneer Landing.   Food, drinks and entertainment were provided and both Local and foreign observer got the opportunity to intermingle which each other and enjoy a taste of Belize. 

As the meeting came to an end before the delegates departed on 25 July 2008 they were given the opportunity to either visit the Belize Zoo/Xunantunich or to go Cave Tubing.  Most went on the Belize Zoo trip and the ruin tour.  All had said that they had enjoyed Belize and will take with them memories that will last a lifetime.  Here are some pictures of the CMOU meeting: