The following is the text of the inaugural speech of Carlos Fernando Galan, Mayor of Bogota.
I have the conviction that we are born with the ability to dream, to imagine, and to feel excitement about a better tomorrow, one worth working for. Perhaps there is no greater satisfaction in life than having a dream, preferably one that seems unattainable, and relentlessly working to make it come true... until you finally see it become a reality.
As time goes by, even though we never stop dreaming, we face the challenge of not allowing the excitement generated by those dreams to be replaced by the frustration of taking a wrong step or experiencing a setback. Because the journey is long, and the one thing we cannot afford is to lose our direction or accept that anything goes as long as we achieve our dreams. Because the goal is only reached through hard work.
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33 years ago, my grandfather Mario was asked what message he wanted to convey to Colombians in the face of the tragedy our country was experiencing due to the threat of drug cartels. His response has been etched in my mind and heart forever: "Let us remember the words of Abraham Lincoln after one of his defeats; we must have faith and wait for a triumph of our ideals and live with our dreams held close to our hearts, ready to sing them at dawn."
The journey is long, and therefore, it is important to persist, but above all, it is important to learn. Learn from each of the obstacles that life presents us: see what they bring us and how they transform us, make us stronger, offer different perspectives, and allow us to appreciate those who think differently.
Learn also to surround ourselves with those who enrich our souls, lift us up when we fall, and remind us that neither victories nor defeats define us. For this and for countless sacrifices, today I give thanks to my family, to Carolina, for sharing and believing in this dream, and for helping me every day to make it a reality without losing our way.
Life has given me the opportunity to learn, to grow, and to serve all of you with humility and discipline to have a real impact on the lives of the people of Bogotá. I understand that I am your leader, and you are my constituents. If I am here, it is to work for those who chose me and equally for my critics, who remind me every day of the challenges we face as a society, and who are the perfect example of the rich and diverse city that I decided to dedicate my life to. It is from these differences that we will build the Bogotá of our dreams.
My dream, from a very young age, was to become the mayor of Bogotá because I realized that it is at the local level where the transformations that a society needs can be achieved most rapidly. I understood that a city only truly functions when it transforms reality and improves the quality of life for its residents, especially for those who face the most challenges in their daily lives.
Today, in front of all of you, the most important stage of my life begins. We have four years to ensure that it's not just one dream, but millions of dreams that come true, and that we once again look at Bogotá with eyes full of hope, pride, and love.
I take on the role of Mayor with great enthusiasm, but also with immense responsibility because I understand that we have no time to waste. I know that in order to make everyone believe in Bogotá once more, the city needs to see results. And it needs to see them soon.
My commitment to all of you is to work tirelessly so that the major projects and key initiatives for the future of our city progress. No one should go to bed hungry in Bogotá, our parks should once again be a haven for children, and the streets should be free from fear and disrespect for others. Together, let's make the Bogotá of our dreams a reality through hard work.
A Bogotá where the city government is on the streets, with the people, and works transparently, efficiently, and with integrity to create a more modern, secure, and inclusive city. The knowledge and capabilities of the cabinet that will accompany me are extraordinary, but to meet the expectations of our citizens, we must remain in constant contact with them, not behind a desk or locked in an office most of the time. Solutions are also built upon the knowledge gained from the daily experiences of those who inhabit this city. I repeat, my instruction is clear: public officials, let's work with the people and from the neighborhoods.
We dream of a Bogotá that grows stronger through the construction of agreements that allow it to advance with the goal of serving the people and improving the quality of life for all who inhabit it. We cannot continue with ego-driven conflicts, with politicians who are focused on putting their name on a plaque and taking pride in something that truly belongs to the city. To a large extent, the inability we have had in Bogotá to give continuity to projects that take time and require the commitment of several administrations has been due to these egos that prevent us from reaching city-wide agreements. We are going to leave that behind.
We will work towards a Bogotá that embraces new technologies and collaborates closely with the Police to dismantle crime, improve security in the urban environment, and promote harmonious civic coexistence so that all its residents can regain peace of mind. No more passing the buck or conflicts among those responsible for improving security in Bogotá. In this administration, we assume the responsibility right away to lead this policy and coordinate all stakeholders to confront the criminal organizations operating in our city. Prioritizing intelligence, criminal investigation, investing in technology, and strengthening cooperation with the citizens, we will give the city back to the people.
A Bogotá that pioneers public policies for care and gender equity, establishing itself as a national, regional, and global example of rights assurance and inclusion. The city has made significant strides in this field, but there is still a long way to go. We cannot continue with over a thousand women at risk of femicide, nor can we allow gender or sexual orientation to remain causes of discrimination in our city.
A Bogotá where effective mobility solutions connect all citizens to services, education, employment, and other opportunities in a safe, inclusive, and sustainable manner. Bogotá spent many years debating its transportation system, and we did not make progress while we allowed the deterioration of what we had, which was and still is part of the solution. We will move forward so that the city finally has its first operational line of a metro network, but we will also improve Transmilenio (City BRT system), enhance the quality and safety of the entire integrated transportation system, and accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility.
A Bogotá where education is the primary driver of development, and all children and young people, from early childhood to higher education, have access to quality education and can pursue their life goals. The city has achieved significant progress in transitioning to higher education, and we must deepen those achievements. However, we cannot forget the initial responsibility: early childhood education. What we do in those early years in shaping a human being is something we cannot recover later on.
A financially responsible Bogotá, where citizens and taxpayers can once again place their trust because they see that public resources are managed with transparency and efficiency. This January, I will announce a cost-saving plan; we cannot continue increasing service provision contracts year after year or spending on things that do not have a clear and direct impact on the quality of life of citizens. We must be capable of achieving more with less, and citizens are rightfully demanding this of us.
A Bogotá that fosters the creation of formal employment and implements policies that promote digitalization and competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, making Bogotá a more productive city.
A well-planned Bogotá that progresses in infrastructure, amenities, and housing projects, which enhance the quality of life and contribute to reducing segregation and territorial imbalances. A Bogotá that is the same for all its citizens.
A Bogotá where all its residents have timely access to dignified and high-quality healthcare services. To achieve this, we must review the current situation of the healthcare subnetworks, which are facing a critical financial situation. We also need to strengthen and support Capital Salud.
A Bogotá that works towards reactivation through housing programs, with a focus on climate change adaptation, so that more Bogotá residents have access to dignified housing solutions every day. The economic prospects for this year are not promising, and the downturn in sectors like construction will have a significant impact on employment. Our strategy is to initiate a countercyclical plan, a shock plan that reactivates construction and directly supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the businesses that generate the majority of employment.
A sustainable and climate-resilient Bogotá, where respect for the environment guides every action of both the administration and the citizenry. With scientific grounding, protecting the main ecological structure and ensuring that the city's residents enjoy and take ownership of it.
A Bogotá of opportunities for all and not of privileges for a few, where social integration is the key to reconciling our society. A city that continues to make progress in the fight against poverty, a city that does not accept that any resident goes hungry, and also a city that provides a roadmap for those who require support to build a life project with dignity and their own income.
A Bogotá that revitalizes and strengthens its bonds of trust through culture. A city that is built from the neighborhoods and is characterized by solidarity, where we all care about each other's well-being. Bogotá will continue to grow in its leadership role as a hub for major cultural and entertainment activities, but we will also invest in culture as the vehicle that will help us recognize and respect each other, value and appreciate who we are.
A Bogotá that operates with total respect for rules and legality, where the fight against corruption is not just a nice speech but a frontal battle to restore the trust of Bogotá residents in a city that progresses with efficiency.
A Bogotá where the metro becomes a reality.
Because on October 29, we received a resounding mandate to work for the dream of millions of Bogotá residents who, despite the years and setbacks, still eagerly await the arrival of the metro. A real metro, like the one that has been contracted and is making progress. A metro that may not solve all our mobility problems but will bring us closer, integrate the different communities that currently share a space but don't feel like fellow citizens, foster the development of new businesses, welcome tourists to explore Bogotá, its restaurants, murals, theaters, museums, and architecture, and allow us to leave our private vehicles behind, improving air quality and spending more quality time with our families.
And above all, a metro that will restore our confidence in ourselves and pride in our city: it will make us dream together of a better, fairer, and more modern city, a city that progresses.
We cannot and will not neglect the major city projects, but we also cannot underestimate or set aside the changes in our daily lives: those small transformations that can make a huge difference.
That's why today, in addition to a commitment, I want to extend an invitation. A call to not lose the ability to dream, because that is the driving force that compels us to work TOGETHER to turn our dreams into reality.
Challenges require all of us to work hand in hand. Because there are not enough roads if poorly parked vehicles block a lane, there are not enough sidewalks if they are colonized without order or permits or overrun by vehicles, traffic management won't help if we continue to block intersections or double park to cross, there are not enough bike lanes if we endanger cyclists with our cars, there is not enough food to end hunger if we keep throwing it away, and no subsidy is sufficient if the private sector doesn't create employment opportunities, inclusion, and productive linkages with micro-businesses, women-led enterprises, and units of the informal economy.
In the late 1960s, amid protests for a better future, young French people wrote a phrase on the streets that I always come back to: "Be realistic, demand the impossible." And that is my invitation today: let's dream again. Let's wake up every day with the conviction that if we unite and work together for Bogotá, we can overcome frustrations and regain the enthusiasm for what we can achieve.
Because above all else, Bogotá needs a collective effort. Every change we make, no matter how small it may seem, can lead to significant transformations. Let's have faith in ourselves, in others, and in Bogotá's capacity to surprise us.
I want to express my support and respect to the Police today. Starting today, we will work in unison, from the same side, and as part of the same team with a two-way commitment: all our support to help you fulfill your duties, and together, we will restore tranquility to Bogotá.
To the City Council, I offer my full cooperation so that we can work towards a higher purpose: making Bogotá a better city for everyone. These will be four years of tireless work; let's engage in debates with respect, with dignity, and always with Bogotá in mind.
To the national government, I want to reiterate that here you have an ally to ensure that Bogotá's major projects move forward. Our city deserves to see progress in these works, and the future, which may seem distant today, should become a reality. Yes, there are differences, but why should we focus on what divides us when there are so many points of convergence from which we can work TOGETHER?
Fellow inhabitants of Bogotá, you have my word. We will not rest until we fulfill these commitments, and we all feel proud of our city again—a city that advances, that looks at the world without complexes, and transforms its old frustrations into new hopes. I cannot promise you the impossible, but I do pledge to always speak to you with the truth, to govern with transparency, to surround myself with experts who will help and critique me, and who, above all else, want to change Bogotá's life.
Today, I invite you to believe in ourselves and our city once again. Let's be realistic, but dream the impossible. Let's rekindle our enthusiasm, and this time let's do it together, working with love and without rest to make these dreams a reality.
The responsibility is enormous, but so are the possibilities. It's in our hands. Let's work for this dream.
Here is the broadcast of the inauguration ceremony of Carlos Fernando Galán, Mayor of Bogotá 2024-2027:
