January 13, 2026
Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of CARICOM, delivered remarks at the Certification Ceremony of the Strengthening Public Expenditure Management (SPEM) Project.
In her remarks, Dr. Barnett commended the achievements of the first cohort of public officers, noting that their certification represents both individual success and collective commitment by the Government of Belize, the University of Belize, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to strengthen fiscal management.
She emphasised that sound public financial management is a cornerstone of good governance and sustainable development, particularly for small developing states like Belize that face external economic shocks and climate-related risks. Dr. Barnett underscored that every public dollar matters, as effective planning, allocation, and accountability of resources directly impact health, education, infrastructure, and community resilience.
Highlighting Belize’s role within CARICOM and the wider international community, she stressed that strong fiscal discipline and investment in public officers’ skills empower nations to build resilience, foster regional collaboration, and achieve long-term prosperity.
Dr. Barnett urged the graduates to apply their knowledge to strengthen fiscal management and contribute to national and regional development.
Please read her complete remarks below:
-Salutations-
I am very pleased to address you at this Certification Ceremony to recognise the achievements of this first cohort of public officers who have participated in the Strengthening Public Expenditure Management (SPEM) Project. Today’s certification is a milestone that reflects not only individual achievement, but also a collective determination among the partners – the Government of Belize, the University of Belize, and the Inter-American Development Bank – to continue to strengthen the foundations of fiscal management.
The pursuit of strong public financial management is critical to the sustainable development of small developing states, like Belize, which face a unique set of challenges. Vulnerability to external shocks – such as the global economic and trade instability that we are all now experiencing – is compounded by increased risks of weather events associated with climate change. As economies with narrow economic bases, dependence on global markets where we are price takers, and limited fiscal space, there is intense pressure on public resources and therefore, every public dollar matters. How we plan, allocate, spend, monitor, and account for public funds is not merely a technical exercise, it is a decisive factor in our ability to deliver development outcomes, maintain public trust, and cooperate effectively across borders.
Strong public financial management is a foundation pillar of good governance. It ensures that public resources are aligned with priorities, used efficiently and effectively, and safeguarded against waste and misuse. Without sound public financial management systems, even the most ambitious and well-prepared development strategies are at risk of unfulfilled aspirations. A sound public financial management system is critical to ensuring that limited financial resources can be transformed into lasting investments in people, in social and economic infrastructure, and resilient long-term sustainable development.
For small developing states, sustainability and resilience are two sides of the same coin. Extreme weather events, global economic downturns, and sudden disruptions can quickly overwhelm our fragile economic systems. Effective financial management allows governments to build fiscal buffers, mobilise domestic financing more effectively, and channel emergency funding where it is needed most, and to do so quickly and with transparency and accountability.
This Ceremony is, therefore, more than just a formal recognition of hard work. It underscores a strong commitment to prudent public financial management. Investment in the skills and capabilities of public officers is an affirmation that prudent fiscal discipline and effective public financial management are not simply about balancing budgets. It is about ensuring that every dollar spent translates into robust health and education systems, improved infrastructure, vibrant communities, strong families, safe societies and meaningful opportunities for everyone.
In today’s interconnected world, the vision for development by definition, extends beyond national borders. As members of a wider community – within CARICOM, the Americas, and other regional and international frameworks – we recognise that a nation’s prosperity is linked to the prosperity of its neighbours.
Belize is a strong partner in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, which supports harmonisation of standards, sharing of best practices, and pooling of resources for greater impact. Strong public financial management, enabled by transparent reporting systems, empowers Belize to participate more effectively in regional trade, to attract investment, and collaborate on cross-border projects. This, in turn, drives collective growth and resilience, and allows citizens to engage confidently with partners across the Region.
Strengthening public financial management is also not a one-time or sporadic activity. It is a continuous process that requires policy direction, institutional capacity, and committed public service workers. This means embracing innovation in use and improvement of digital financial systems, strengthened data analytics, and modern auditing techniques, while remaining grounded in core principles of continuous learning, accountability and inclusiveness.
This effort to strengthen economic governance aligns with the United Nations Financing for Development (FfD) agenda, particularly the goal of domestic resource mobilisation. The Financing for Development framework reminds us that sustainable development cannot rely solely on external aid or borrowing. It requires countries to strengthen their own capacity to generate, manage, and channel domestic resources toward national priorities. Embedding fiscal discipline and building human capacity, directly contributes to this global goal, ensuring that Belize can increasingly finance its own development, reduce vulnerability, and chart a path of resilience and self-reliance.
Ladies and gentlemen receiving certificates today, you carry the responsibility of using the skills you have learned to contribute practically to strengthened fiscal management, to improve service delivery, and thereby secure long-term development outcomes. These are not abstract ideals; they are the very pillars on which trust in government is built, and the mechanisms through which citizens experience the tangible benefits of development.
My warmest congratulations to all of you! It is my expectation that your application of the information and skills you have gained help to light the path toward national prosperity, regional collaboration and engagement, and the fulfilment of shared goals.
Thank you, very much, ladies and gentlemen for listening and my warmest congratulations to all participants and to the Government for engaging in this very important project to develop strong fiscal financial management in the public sector.
Thank you