As one of the few Belizeans representing the country at the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda, mayor of Belize City Bernard Wagner joined other leaders within the Commonwealth to discuss policies and actions that have the power to improve the lives of citizens living in their respective states. 

At the invitation of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), Mayor Wagner attended his first CHOGM event in his capacity as a steering committee member for the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Network (CSCN). This official site event, titled “A Call To Action on Sustainable Urbanization Across the Commonwealth,” featured a high-level panel discussion which explored changes needed to materialize the “call to action”, how a focus on sustainable urbanization could contribute positively to supporting mayors in the Commonwealth and how Belize City is currently working with partners and organizations to help shape the city.

Mayor Wagner spoke on how the Belize City Council has worked closely with local, regional and international partners to move their agenda forward. These partnerships include working with the Ministry of Agriculture on the Belize City Urban Gardening Project, maintaining a collaborative relationship with CLGF, partnering with Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) to launch their ‘Charge ‘n Go’ charging station network in Belize City and meeting with the Transport Board in Barbados to get a clear understanding of how they operate their E-transit public transportation network with a view to identifying best practices ahead of the launch of Belize City’s own E-transit network.

Mayor Wagner delivered his second intervention at the Commonwealth Business Forum at the invitation of Dr. Ernest Nsabimana, Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure. This forum has grown into a major international event since its inception in 1997, as it acts as a platform for Commonwealth leaders to promote trade and investment and facilitate business linkages. This year’s theme was, “Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming.”

Mayor Wagner’s intervention at the Business Forum came by way of a presentation focused on sustainable urbanization in future cities from the perspective of an engaged municipal leader. During this intervention, Mayor Wagner spoke of the Call to Action on Sustainable Urbanisation across the Commonwealth and the importance of meaningful partnerships and clarity of roles and responsibilities in working towards sustainable and inclusive urbanization. More importantly, he spoke of the importance of keeping the people at the core of all efforts and the need to embrace new technologies, modernize legislation and encourage innovation.

In reflecting on this experience at CHOGM 2022, Mayor Wagner said, “Attending CHOGM in the capacity of Mayor of Belize City as well as representing and speaking on behalf of all mayors in the Commonwealth was truly a humbling experience. Being able to carry the Commonwealth’s agenda which speaks to a ‘Call to Action on Sustainable Urbanization’ in front of a global audience which included the likes of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson, UN Habitat Executive Director Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif along with the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, was certainly a humbling experience for me. Belize is being recognized both regionally and globally in view of the strides we have made both nationally and locally in progressing the sustainable development goals.”

Mayor Wagner credits the event for presenting the opportunity to network, plant seeds of development and to nurture relationships that will lead to benefits for all Belizeans.

As a result of Mayor Wagner’s interventions at CHOGM 2022, he has since been invited by Lord Marland of Odstock, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, to speak at the Commonwealth Games Business Forum in July 2022. This forum, organized by the UK government, seeks to boost trade and prosperity amongst Commonwealth members. The event is expected to host over 300 delegates and will include interventions by heads of state and international business leaders.