At a time when the international geopolitical landscape and global energy markets are experiencing heightened volatility, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are demonstrating unity in confronting uncertainty. Yesterday and today, Belize City hosted the LXV Session of the Council of Experts of the Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE), marking a historic milestone as the first occasion in which Belize has served as host country for this high-level regional forum under its presidency.
The meeting, which featured the active and committed participation of delegations from Latin American and Caribbean countries, carries major political and technical significance. The forum is responsible for shaping the strategic proposals and decisions that will guide the upcoming Meeting of Ministers, scheduled to take place in October this year in the Dominican Republic.
The opening and coordination of the sessions were led by the Chair of the Council of Experts, Belize’s Minister of Energy, Michel Chebat, together with OLACDE’s Executive Secretary Andrés Rebolledo. Both emphasized that the central priority shared by member countries is the urgent need to deepen regional energy integration, particularly in light of recent price shocks, supply challenges, and global uncertainty.
Throughout the two-day working agenda, delegations engaged in forward-looking deliberations focused on the future of the region’s energy development, prioritizing resilience, energy security, and sustainable socioeconomic growth.
The Future Agenda: Artificial Intelligence, Circular Economy, and Inclusion
The forum addressed critical topics shaping the evolution of the energy sector, closely linked to technological transformation and social inclusion. Key issues included:
- Artificial intelligence and digitalization applied to the energy sector.
- Circular economy strategies within the energy industry.
- Electrification of new energy demands and the energy transition.
- Social inclusion, gender equality, and active youth participation in the sector.
Belize: A Hub for Regional Integration
The selection of Belize City as host venue highlights the strategic importance and distinct agenda of Central American and Caribbean nations, reaffirming OLACDE’s commitment to an inclusive and representative integration approach. Belize is currently positioning itself as a dynamic model on the path toward decarbonization, meeting a significant share of its domestic electricity demand through local renewable sources — including hydropower and biomass — complemented by cross-border energy exchanges.
The country is moving decisively toward grid modernization through the design of its National Electricity Energy Mix Master Plan, while promoting public-private investments in large-scale energy storage and solar generation. Its geographic location is key to strengthening bidirectional energy trade and enhancing supply resilience for both Central America and the Caribbean, serving as a strategic connector that advances the organization’s shared objectives.
