Speech delivered by UN Resident Coordinator (RC) Karl Frederick Paul at The High-Level Stakeholder Meeting on Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) under the Global Health Security Agenda

Distinguished guests, esteemed colleagues,

We stand today on the frontlines of an escalating global battle, not against armies or ideologies but against the very forces of nature and microscopic threats that can upend our world in a heartbeat.

From the unrelenting march of climate change to the stealthy advance of pandemics, we face challenges that respect no borders and spare no nation. The stakes could not be higher here in The Gambia, a country of immense potential and resilience.

Emergency preparedness and response is not a luxury. It is the bedrock of our collective security, the foundation upon which we build progress and prosperity. It is about ensuring that a mother in rural Basse has access to life-saving care when disaster strikes. It is about empowering a young entrepreneur in Banjul to pursue her dreams without fear of losing everything to an unforeseen calamity.

The United Nations stands unwaveringly with The Gambia in this crucial mission. Through our Joint Emergency Preparedness and Response Action Plan, we have laid the groundwork for a new era of collaboration. But make no mistake – we are not here to maintain the status quo. We are here to transform it.

Today, I proudly announce our commitment to a bold, comprehensive initiative to revolutionise The Gambia's emergency preparedness and response capabilities. This is not an incremental step. This is a quantum leap.

Imagine a Gambia where every health facility, from the most sophisticated hospital to the humblest rural clinic, stands ready to save lives in times of crisis. A Gambia where cutting-edge early warning systems empower communities to act before disaster strikes—a Gambia where every citizen is not just a potential victim but a trained, ready first responder.

This is not a distant dream. It is an achievable reality – if we summon the will and marshal the resources to make it so.

Over the next four days, we will engage in intensive discussions to craft a detailed, costed roadmap for this transformative journey. But let me be clear: this is not just a UN initiative or government program. It must be a national movement.

We need the innovation of the private sector, the grassroots reach of civil society, and and the intellectual firepower of academia. We need every Gambian to embrace a culture of preparedness and understand that resilience is not just a national asset but a personal responsibility.

The challenges before us are immense. But so is the cost of inaction. Every day we delay, we gamble with the lives and livelihoods of the Gambian people. We cannot afford to wait for the next crisis to occur.

The time is now. The place is here. And the responsibility is ours.

Together, let us build a Gambia that is resilient in the face of any storm, protects its most vulnerable, and serves as a beacon of hope and preparedness for all of Africa.

Thank you