Flanders supports the conservation of the Barrier Reef of Belize

After several years UNESCO finally convinced the government of Belize to make a start with solving the critical conservation issues of the Belize Barrier Reef. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest reef system in the world. Unfortunately, in 2009 the reef was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger because of thre threat of oil and destructive coastal development. Flanders, through the Flanders - UNESCO Trustfund, is an important partner of the UNESCO World Heritage Marine Programme headed by the Flemish Dr. Fanny Douvere and therefore a contributor to the sustainable conservation of the reef.

The chosen approach for the protection of the Barrier Reef is based on a method of spatial planning for marine areas, a method researched by the University of Ghent. Dr. Fanny Douvere, head of World Heritage Marine Programme, said about this: “This is a giant step forward, for the world heritage and for the world’s oceans. Flanders is rightly proud of its many excellent marine scientists, working every day for the conservation and protection of the world oceans and the life within. The World Heritage Convention is a unique international tool through which we can see our Flanders expertise and scientific knowledge in action.“