United Nations Resident Coordinator Statement at the High-Level Round Table Discussions on the National Action Plan for Youth, Peace, and Security

Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, 

Senior Government officials

 Excellencies and Members of the Diplomatic Corps Heads of International Organizations & UN Agencies Representatives from the private sector 

 Civil Society Organizations

 Media Representatives 

Representatives of the Youth, Peace, and Security Technical Working Group 

The Youth of The Gambia 

Ladies and Gentlemen

 It is my great honour to address you today on a matter of utmost importance for The Gambia's sustainable development and future – the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security. As I begin my tenure as UN Resident Coordinator, I stand before you with a sense of urgency and of great hope. Urgency because the challenges we face are real and pressing. Hope, because I see in our youth the opportunity to overcome these challenges and build a brighter tomorrow. The numbers tell a story: 65% of our population is young, full of potential, yet facing high levels of unemployment rate. Climate change looms large, threatening not just our environment but our resilience and stability. 

These are not just statistics but calls to action. However, today, we are not here to dwell on problems. We are here to forge solutions through the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security - our commitment to empowering the youth who will shape The Gambia's destiny. Since 2017, The Gambia has made remarkable strides in democratic governance. Now, we must channel this same spirit of progress into youth empowerment. In 2018, the UN Secretary-General launched Youth2030, the first-ever system-wide UN Youth Strategy. This strategy aims to transform the UN's work with and for youth in response to the complex challenges young people face, including climate degradation, conflict, and economic inequality. 

The UN Youth Strategy, Youth2030, provides us with a roadmap. It calls for engagement, economic empowerment, and resilience-building – pillars that will support the dreams and aspirations of every young Gambian. Allow me to emphasize that the key of the success is about collaborating with you – the youth, the government, civil society, and the private sector – to create opportunities and promote peace. From UNICEF's efforts in enhancing social cohesion to UNFPA's support for legislative reforms, from UNDP's grassroots consultations to our collective initiatives in climate security – each effort is a crucial component in building a stronger, more resilient Gambia. To the youth in this room and beyond: your voice matters. Your ideas can spark transformations. The #GMBYouth4Peace campaign is just the beginning. We're not just inviting you to the table but asking you to lead the conversation.

 As we develop the National Action Plan, let's think big. Let's envision a Gambia where youth unemployment is a thing of the past, climate resilience is our strength, and peace is not just an absence of conflict but a presence of justice and opportunity. To my colleagues in government, the diplomatic corps, and international organisations, our commitment must match the enormity of this task. The youth are not just beneficiaries of our policies; they are our partners in progress. 

In conclusion, I want to share a personal commitment. The UN Family, working with multiple stakeholders, will establish a Youth Advisory Board in the coming months to ensure young voices directly inform and shape our work. This is a recognition that the path to achieving our Sustainable Development Goals runs through the ingenuity and passion of our youth. The Gambia has shown remarkable resilience. Now, let's show the world what we can achieve when we unleash the full potential of our young people. Now, let's roll up our sleeves and get to work. The future is waiting, and it speaks with a young voice. Are you ready to listen and act? Thank you.