Government to Use Corruption Index as Benchmark for Governance Reforms

Following the release of the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, the Ministry of Immigration, Governance and Labour says the report will be used as a reference tool while the government continues implementing its broader governance reform agenda.  In a statement issued yesterday, the Ministry noted that the index marks Belize’s return to the global ranking after a 17-year absence and provides what it described as an external benchmark for evaluating public sector governance.  Belize received a score of 36 out of 100 and ranked 104th among 182 countries. The Ministry pointed out that the result represents an improvement from the country’s previous recorded score of 29 in 2008, even as it acknowledged that governance challenges remain and that many countries worldwide have also experienced stagnation or decline.  Government emphasized that the index measures perception rather than specific legal outcomes, explaining that it does not assess individual investigations, prosecutions or enforcement actions. Officials say the report is therefore being treated as a diagnostic indicator to help identify reform priorities and guide evidence-based policy decisions.  According to the Ministry, ongoing work under the government’s good governance programme is being coordinated through national development frameworks such as Plan Belize and the Medium-Term Development Strategy, with the goal of strengthening transparency, accountability and institutional responsiveness across the public sector.  Authorities also noted that Belize’s reform efforts are aligned with international anti-corruption commitments, including the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption, which provide guidance on preventive measures and oversight mechanisms.  As part of the next phase of reforms, the Ministry says priority actions will focus on whistleblower protection legislation, political integrity and campaign finance transparency, and strengthening oversight and administrative accountability within government agencies.  Minister of Immigration, Governance and Labour Kareem Musa stated that while the index serves as a useful benchmark, the government’s attention remains on implementation, noting that the Good Governance Unit is preparing proposals for Cabinet consideration in keeping with national development frameworks.  The Ministry concluded that governance reform will continue to be driven by policy objectives and institutional mandates rather than rankings, stressing that long-term improvements depend on sustained legislative action, institutional strengthening and consistent oversight.