Speech by Ms. Seraphine Wakana, on the inauguration of the Kotu-UN75 Park, UN Day 2020

• Hon. Vice President of The Republic of The Gambia, Dr. Isatou Touray
• Lord Mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council, Talib Ahmed Bensouda
• UN Colleagues
• Media
• Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

I welcome the Hon Vice President, the Lord Mayor and all distinguished guests for being here today. Notably, I would like to thank the Lord Mayor of Kanifing, Talib Ahmed Bensouda, for the kind gesture extended to the UN on this particularly significant event on its 75th anniversary and for the trust they have placed in the UN by rededicating this park as the Kotu-UN75 Park.

I would also like to thank the Government of the Republic of The Gambia and in particular, Her Excellency the Vice President of the Republic for exemplary partnership with the UN.

We are honoured to be involved in the development of this Park, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations.

The United Nations was formed on 24 October 1945, on the ruins of war to safeguard future generations from a repeat of such great destruction and damage to peoples’ lives and properties.

75 years ago, the UN Charter came into force, ushering in a new era of hope for global solidarity, peace and tranquility in a world that had experienced two devastating World Wars.

Today we recognize all UN Member States, their people and the UN’s partners. The UN Family exists to serve the Charter of the Organization, and the purpose of the Charter is to serve all peoples.  In 2015 we the peoples pledged that no one will be left behind.

The preamble of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the global commitment that 193 world leaders adopted at the United Nations five years ago, says:

We are resolved to free the human race from the tyranny of poverty and want, and to heal and secure our planet. We are determined to take the bold and transformative steps which are urgently needed to shift the world on to a sustainable and resilient path. As we embark on this collective journey, we pledge that no one will be left behind

This celebration is an opportunity to reflect on this resolution and what it means. It means the SDGs and targets should be met for everyone, with a particular focus on the poorest, most vulnerable, marginalized and furthest behind – those who are often the hardest to reach.

The Gambia joined the United Nations in 1965 shortly following its Independence. The UN in The Gambia has been operating and jointly attaining development results for the people of The Gambia.

The aim of the UN is to accompany the country in its journey towards implementing the peoples of The Gambia’s Vision for their country. Such assistance includes:

1. Support to strengthen the capacity of public institutions to deliver basic services to all people living in The Gambia.
2. Support to ensure the rights of children and women are recognized, promoted and protected.
3. Support to ensure all Gambians have equitable access to health care services, both geographically and financially.

Today, the COVID-19 pandemic has invaded the continent and threatens to disrupt millions of livelihoods, affecting poor households the worst, diverting government revenues, disrupting the formal and informal economy and the entire production system.  This is therefore an occasion to jointly reflect on and celebrate the work and achievements of the United Nations across the world, while at the same time seeking solutions to combat the challenges we continue to face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s localized UN Day theme “UN75 Dialogues” was chosen to engage all Gambians and indeed all peoples around the world, to reflect on what are their priorities for the next 25 years. We had the opportunity to engage the people in the Kanifing Municipality during these Dialogues.

In line with global and local findings, the immediate priority for most Gambians is improved access to basic services – healthcare, safe water, sanitation and education, followed by greater international solidarity and increased support to those hardest hit. This includes tackling inequalities and rebuilding a more inclusive economy.

The Kanifing Municipality has the fastest growing population of all the Local Government Areas of The Gambia. The trend witnessed in the last three decades is likely to continue considering the current levels of socio-economic development activities in the municipality which are attracting migrants.

Growth on this scale requires efforts to create the infrastructure and public facilities commensurate with this expansion. The Kotu-UN75 Park, which we are inaugurating today, comes therefore at an opportune moment for the UN and for the Kanifing area, as we will not spare efforts to improving the urban environment, and especially create safe child friendly, community and environment friendly spaces.

Indeed, the need for creation of green spaces in fast growing communities cannot be over emphasized, and here I would like to pay homage to the vision of the Mayor of KMC in prioritizing spaces such as this Park.

Like our commitment to supporting the Government of The Gambia in its national development efforts, for this Kotu-UN75 Park it will be our mission to preserve and sustain. Our goal is to not only build an environmental infrastructure and a major attraction for Kanifing area residents, especially children and youth, but also to create a cultural space contributing to this area’s economic and social development.

On this note, I would like to conclude by acknowledging the work of our staff, who have worked tirelessly throughout the year in promoting the agenda of a peaceful, inclusive and developed country. I would also like to acknowledge the role of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), private sector, academia, the media and all Gambians for continuously advocating for a more democratic and cohesive State.

I thank you all.