The original signed document is available here.
On January 22, 2026, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize and the Republic of Guatemala, the Honorable Francis Fonseca and the H.E. Carlos Ramiro Martínez, met on the occasion of a Ministerial encounter at the Office of the Organization of American States in the Adjacency Zone (OAS/AZ), within the framework of the Agreement on a Framework for Negotiations and Confidence-Building Measures between Belize and Guatemala signed in September 2005.
The Special Representative of the Secretary General for the Belize-Guatemala Affairs, in the Adjacency Zone, H.E. Ambassador Antonia Urrejola, welcomed the Ministers and their delegations and provided an overview of the work of the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone, highlighting activities under the four main pillars of action: the verification system, the culture of peace program, interaction with security forces, and diplomatic dialogue.
The Ministers discussed the bilateral relationship, reviewed ongoing activities and projects in the Adjacency Zone and reiterated their respective commitment to the Agreement on a Framework for Negotiation and Confidence-Building Measures.
During the meeting, the Ministers adopted the following joint declaration:
Joint Declaration
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and the Republic of Guatemala, meeting within the framework of the permanent dialogue facilitated by the Organization of American States (OAS), and reaffirming their willingness to continue strengthening bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect, shared values, cooperation, and commitment to international law,
1. Recognized the long standing and constructive role of the OAS in facilitating political dialogue, mediation, and technical support between Belize and Guatemala, including the establishment of the OAS-AZ at the Adjacency Zone, and its support to the process that led to the signing of the Special Agreement between Guatemala and Belize to Submit the Territorial, Insular, and Maritime Claim to the International Court of Justice.
2. Reaffirmed the importance of the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone/AZ as an essential mechanism of the OAS mandate, providing technical and diplomatic support for the full implementation of confidence-building measures.
3. Underlined the positive contribution of the OAS in preventing and mitigating incidents strengthening communication between the relevant institutions of both States, supporting local development, and peacebuilding initiatives that promote stability and mutual understanding throughout the Adjacency Zone.
4. Reaffirmed their commitment to continue with the full implementation of the Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) agreed between Belize and Guatemala, with the aim of deescalating tensions, enhancing transparency, and fostering a sustained culture of peace and cooperation.
5. Expressed their interest in the continued support of the OAS in the post-ICJ ruling.
6. Reaffirmed their interest in continuing the important work of the Belize–Guatemala Joint Commission, as stipulated in the Agreement on a Framework for Negotiations and Confidence-Building Measures between Belize and Guatemala signed in 2005, as a key mechanism for dialogue, cooperation, and the advancement of agreed bilateral commitments.
7. Expressed their determination to continue working jointly with the OAS and the international community, including members of the Group of Friends and other partners, to mobilize the resources and cooperation necessary to sustain and strengthen the full implementation of the confidence-building measures and targeted development programs in the Adjacency Zone.
8. Reiterated their commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the Charter of the OAS, and to respect the binding decisions of the ICJ. They underscored that the ongoing process represents an important opportunity to achieve a definitive and peaceful resolution of the territorial, insular, and maritime dispute between the two countries and to strengthen cooperation for the benefit of their peoples.
In witness thereof, signed at the Office of the OAS General Secretariat in the Adjacency Zone on January 22, 2026.
The original signed document is available here.
Reference: S-001/26
