Belize City Mayor Heads to Guyana and Antigua for Commonwealth Talks

Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner is preparing to travel to Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda for discussions on sustainable cities, democracy and the role of local government across the Commonwealth. Wagner says his travel begins on Monday, October 26, with a visit to Georgetown, Guyana, for a Wilton Park dialogue. According to the organisers’ invitation, the dialogue itself runs from October twenty-eighth to thirtieth and will focus on putting the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Coalition into action to build a more resilient Commonwealth.  Following that engagement, Wagner says he will travel directly to Antigua and Barbuda for activities associated with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, with his participation scheduled for November 2 to 7.  Wagner, who also chairs the Commonwealth Local Government Forum, is listed as a panelist at a November third event titled “Safeguarding Democracy and Inclusion in the Commonwealth.” The discussion is being organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda.  His panel will examine safeguarding democracy and implementing the Nadi Declaration. The wider programme will explore ways to strengthen democratic institutions, encourage public participation and advance rights and equality.  The event will bring together parliamentarians, government representatives and civil society leaders at the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies. Wagner’s participation will place local government’s role in democratic governance alongside perspectives from parliamentary and legal leaders across the Commonwealth.