Belize and Taiwan Expand Cooperation in Education, Training and Disaster Preparedness

Belize and Taiwan are expanding cooperation in public service development, disaster preparedness, education and workforce training following an official visit to Taiwan led by Minister Henry Charles Usher.  Minister Usher headed a Belizean delegation to Taiwan from August 19 to 23, holding discussions with senior officials, including Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and Deputy Education Minister Liu Kuo-wei.  One of the major outcomes was Taiwan’s announcement of plans to establish the Taiwan Caribbean Co-Prosperity Academy in Belize in partnership with the University of Belize. Taiwanese instructors are expected to support training in tourism and hospitality, nursing and healthcare, food and nutrition, and smart agriculture and fisheries.  Education opportunities for Belizeans also formed part of the discussions. During the 2025–2026 academic year, two hundred and ninety-nine Belizean students were enrolled in Taiwan. Of that number, two hundred and thirty-one were pursuing degrees, while sixty-eight were studying Chinese.  Minister Usher’s wife, Jamie Usher, also participated in education-related engagements, sharing Belize’s experience in promoting robotics education and exploring further cooperation in that area.  The delegation visited several Taiwanese civil service and disaster management institutions to learn about employee training, emergency response, disaster prevention and institutional capacity building.  The Ministry says the visit builds on thirty-seven years of diplomatic relations between Belize and Taiwan with a view to create additional opportunities for Belizeans in multiple areas including public service and disaster-response capabilities.