LocationsUNDP Reaffirms Its Commitment to The Gambia
October 1, 2024
The initial bilateral meeting between His Excellency Adama Barrow, the President of The Gambia, and Ms. Mandisa Mashologu, the UNDP Resident Representative, convened at the State House in Banjul on collaborative endeavours aimed at expediting sustainable development in The Gambia.
Ms. Mashologu congratulated the President on hosting and chairing the OIC Summit in Banjul. Furthermore, the bilateral talks highlighted crucial areas of governance and peacebuilding, underscoring UNDP's commitment to supporting The Gambia's efforts in promoting democratic governance, upholding human rights, and fostering peace and stability in the region. The discussions centered on reaffirming UNDP's unwavering commitment to the people of The Gambia through its new Country Programme Document (CPD) for the period 2024-2028, focusing on three components: Responsive, Accountable Governance and Peacebuilding, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Resilience, and Green, Inclusive Economic Growth.
The discussions emphasized the importance of impactful initiatives such as the implementation of the second phase of the Programme for Accelerated Community Development (PACD), aimed at providing tangible benefits to communities, leaving no one behind, and transitional justice. In her remarks, Ms. Mashologu reiterated UNDP's steadfast commitment to working hand in hand with the Government and people of The Gambia to achieve sustainable development goals and build a brighter future for all.
Ms. Mashologu presented the Gambian President with the latest edition of the Global Human Development Report (GHDR) for 2023-2024, titled "Breaking the Gridlock: Reimagining cooperation in a polarized world." The GHDR was launched in The Gambia on May 15, 2024, in collaboration with key government officials: Secretary-General and Head of The Civil Service, The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, and the Minister of Youth and Sports, along with a panel of experts, with discussion serving as a valuable resource for understanding global human development challenges.
Of notable significance was the initiation of a National Human Development Report (NHDR) for The Gambia, with a thematic focus on youth and unemployment. This is to offer valuable perspectives on the obstacles and possibilities confronting The Gambia's youth demographic. The NHDR seeks to provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing The Gambia's youth population, with a view to formulating evidence-based policies and interventions to address unemployment and empower youths to contribute meaningfully to the country's development agenda.
The bilateral courtesy call underscored the strong partnership between UNDP and The Government of The Gambia, with both parties reaffirming their dedication to advancing the nation's development priorities and ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of prosperity and progress.
For more information and media interviews, contact: Mariam Njai, Communications Analyst, UNDP The Gambia: Tel; +220 3303180, Email: mariam.njai@undp.org