RC STATEMENT JOINT STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

The Secretary General & Head of The Civil Service,  

Permanent Secretaries,

Colleagues from the DPG, 

UN Heads of Agencies,

Representatives from The Private Sector and Civil Society, 

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,

All protocols respectfully observed, 

I am proud to welcome you today in my first JSC meeting as RC, co-chairing this important committee with The SG and Head of The Civil Service, Madame Salimatta Touray.

Today, I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude and hope. Gratitude for the strong partnership between the United Nations and The Gambia, and hope for the brighter future we are building together.

Let me begin by emphasizing the critical importance of our collaboration. In these turbulent times, when our world faces unprecedented challenges, the bond between the United Nations and its member states has never been more vital. The Gambia's commitment to our shared goals is a beacon of hope, lighting the path towards a more just and sustainable world.

Over the past six years, under the United Nations Development Assistance Framework, we have witnessed remarkable resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic tested us all, but it did not break us. Instead, it revealed the strength of our partnership and our collective ability to adapt and persevere.

Together, we have made significant strides towards the Sustainable Development Goals. 

But let us be honest with ourselves and admit that progress is not enough. 

We can do more.

We must accelerate our efforts. The clock is ticking, and millions of lives hang in the balance. We need more ambition, more action, and more solidarity.

The lessons learned from our previous framework are invaluable. They underscore the necessity of aligning our efforts with national priorities, of ensuring that no one is left behind, and of embracing a truly integrated approach to development.

As we embark on this new Cooperation Framework, we must recognize it as more than a document. 

It is a commitment – a promise to the people of The Gambia. It represents our shared vision of a future where every Gambian can live in dignity, where human rights are respected, where prosperity is shared, and where peace is unshakeable.

I look forward to fruitful discussions.

Thank you.