UN GAMBIA: REFLECTING ON THE PAST, SHAPING THE FUTURE

In 2023, we reviewed the way we work. This was an important exercise that allowed us to reflect on our progress, identify challenges and learn from our experiences to guide future efforts. Our goal was to see how well we had worked between 2017 and 2023 and to be accountable for our actions.

We learned a lot from the evaluation, which gave us a detailed understanding of how effective our work has been and how it has impacted the lives of people. We were happy to see that our UNDAF 2017–2023 program has managed to stay relevant even during the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to its flexibility that adapts to the changing needs of our country. However, we also realized the need to better coordinate our planning cycles with the National Development Plan (NDP), so that we can better align our efforts with the country’s priorities. Moving forward, we are committed to involving the government and other stakeholders in the planning process, so that the Cooperation Framework reflects the aspirations of our nation.

The evaluation also advised us to anticipate and mitigate any social, economic, or environmental risks that could affect Gambians by prioritising resilience in our next strategy beginning in 2024, as the economy is vulnerable to shocks.

Harmonisation and coordination emerged as areas where we must redouble our efforts. The evaluation noted duplication and gaps in our support, underlining the need to streamline our interventions, optimise our resources, and amplify our impact through joint programmes. We must leverage our collective expertise and resources to deliver results that are more than the sum of our efforts.

The UNDAF evaluation emphasised the need for strong implementation structures and stakeholder engagement, including the Government, civil society, and the private sector in the UNDAF Joint National/UN Steering Committee.

Equally crucial is our unwavering commitment to gender mainstreaming and including vulnerable populations. The evaluation advised us to continue integrating gender analysis into our work. We hear this call to action and pledge to place gender equality and leaving no one behind at the heart of the new Cooperation Framework.

We embrace the lessons learned and will chart a new course towards sustainable development in The Gambia. We are committed to partnering with the government and people of The Gambia to build a prosperous future for all.