Statement by the UN Resident Coordinator in The Gambia, Peacebuilding Fund Joint Steering Committee Meeting

Distinguished members of the Joint Steering Committee, 

Representatives of the Government of The Gambia,

Development partners, 

Civil society organizations, 

and colleagues from the United Nations family.

Good Morning to you all, 

Welcome to the 1st meeting of the JSC in 2025. 

It is a privilege to address you today as we convene for the fifth Joint Steering Committee meeting under the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) framework. This gathering marks a pivotal moment to take stock of our contributions to deepen democratic governance, advance transitional justice, and sustain peace in The Gambia.

Over the past year, we have witnessed the tangible impact of our joint efforts in various ways. The 2024 Annual Results Report highlighted how our systems approach anchored in national ownership and community engagement has transformed lives across the country. From expanding access to justice in rural communities to empowering women entrepreneurs and strengthening coastal resilience, our work has demonstrated that integrated, people centered development delivers lasting change.

You will also hear from the updates by the Secretariat of the significant progress since our last meeting in December 2024, including hiring a Knowledge Management and Communications Associate to strengthen coordination and knowledge management and launched the Portfolio Technical Committee to enhance strategic oversight and coherence across initiatives.

On monitoring results and impact, strides are being made to collect data for the Results framework and hosting various Partner delegations on monitoring visits. In this vein, we will hear of the progress of Phase II of the Spotlight Initiative, which will generate critical insights through national perception surveys, qualitative and quantitative research, and inclusive consultations. The engagement of CoWater as the lead consultancy firm, and the establishment of a multi-stakeholder reference group, will ensure that our findings are grounded in local realities and inform national policy and programming.

I encourage all of us to engage fully in these deliberations, bringing the same spirit of collaboration and innovation that has defined our work thus far. Together, we can ensure that the PBF continues to be a transformative force for peace in The Gambia.

Thank you for your dedication and partnership, and I look forward to a productive meeting.