New UNICEF Representative to Belize Commits to Strengthening Child Rights Initiatives

Ken Legins, the newly appointed UNICEF representative to Belize, has officially presented his credentials to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Francis Fonseca and Chief Executive Officer Amalia Mai. The formal introduction took place at the Laing Building in Belmopan, where Legins outlined UNICEF’s continued commitment to advancing child rights and welfare in Belize.

During the meeting, Legins reaffirmed UNICEF’s support for key national initiatives, focusing on child protection, education, health, and collaboration with regional bodies and the private sector. He also discussed the development of a new country programme aimed at aligning UNICEF’s efforts with Belize’s national priorities for children.

With over 25 years of experience in international development, Legins brings a wealth of expertise in public health, humanitarian response, and social sector system-building. His career has spanned leadership roles at UNICEF headquarters, as well as field positions in Iraq and China, where he worked on optimising supply chains and strengthening child-focused policies. Additionally, he has collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO) on adolescent and maternal health in Ukraine and North Macedonia and with refugee communities in Albania during the Kosovo War.