Bamenda III Mayor, Fongu Cletus Tanwe, joins global leaders at World Forum of Local Economic Development 2025

The VI World Forum on Local Economic Development (WFLED) has officially commenced in Seville, Spain, bringing together over 2,000 global stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing inclusive and sustainable economic transitions. Among the participants is the Mayor of Bamenda III Council, Fongu Cletus Tanwe, who is attending to explore localised solutions that could drive economic progress in his municipality.

Mayor Fongu Cletus Tanwe at the event center 

The four-day Forum, running from April 1-4, 2025, aims to advance social justice through decent work at the local level while preparing for two major global conferences: the World Summit for Social Development in November 2025 and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in July 2025. Against the backdrop of persistent global challenges such as rising inequality, climate change, and slow progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the event provides an avenue for local leaders like Mayor Fongu to engage with international experts and policymakers on innovative economic strategies.

Mayor Fongu’s participation emphasises his commitment to leveraging global knowledge and best practices to address local economic challenges in Bamenda III. The Forum’s emphasis on just transition, financing for development, and caring local economies aligns with his administration’s drive to improve livelihoods, create employment opportunities, and formalise the informal economy within the municipality. 

“We must be proactive in shaping our local economic future by learning from global experiences. The discussions here provide an opportunity to connect Bamenda III’s economic aspirations with tested and successful models from other parts of the world,” Mayor Fongu told Hilltopvoices via a messages application on the sidelines of the event.

The Forum’s focus on ensuring decent work while navigating ecological, digital, and demographic transitions presents an opportunity for Bamenda III to harness sustainable economic models that can boost employment and innovation, particularly for youth and women. Given the financial constraints faced by many local governments, insights on innovative financial models could help Bamenda III explore new funding mechanisms for community-driven development projects.

Building a tenacious and equitable economy is vital for Bamenda III, particularly in supporting vulnerable populations, strengthening social enterprises, and enhancing food security.

With a large portion of Bamenda III’s workforce in the informal sector, strategies discussed at the Forum could help facilitate a structured transition that promotes stability and access to financial and social protections.

Mayor Fongu is expected to participate in high-level discussions with international organisations, development partners, and fellow municipal leaders. His engagements will centre on seeking collaboration opportunities, particularly in sectors such as local enterprise development, job creation, and sustainable urban planning. The Mayor also hopes to establish partnerships with institutions such as the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Global Fund for the Development of Cities (FMDV), which are co-organisers of the Forum. These partnerships could provide technical assistance and financial backing for strategic projects in Bamenda III.

Since its inception, the WFLED has been a a great space for cities and municipalities to exchange knowledge and drive development from the ground up. With Seville City Council and the Regional Government of Andalusia playing host, this year’s edition is expected to set the stage for economic reforms worldwide.

As the Forum progresses, the insights and connections gained could serve as catalysts for policies that will shape the economic landscape of Bamenda III in the years to come.

By Bakah Derick with reports 

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