YouSaid · the spoken record

Adama Barrow

lines on the record: 56
first: 2017-09-24
most recent: 2022-09-24
sittings or episodes: 4
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Africa will continue to demand its rightful place in the permanent membership category of the Security Council; thus, the negotiations must produce tangible results. Finally, let me emphasize that genuine commitment and substantially increased resources should accompany the transformation of our institutions, systems, mechanisms and state of preparedness, and the developing world must not be left behind. I pray that we have a successful seventy-seventh session of the General Assembly.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“As a responsible member of the international community, the Gambia considers Taiwan a part of the People’s Republic of China and advocates the adoption of the One China Policy. We urge the international community, therefore, to fully respect China’s sovereignty over Taiwan and avoid actions that undermine global peace. The Gambia fully supports the Secretary-General’s call for transformation and global solidarity in the landmark report Our Common Agenda (A/75/982). In the same vein, we support his efforts to convene the Summit of the Future and the Sustainable Development Goals Summit next year. The renewal of global solidarity and regard for the less fortunate necessitate that we commit ourselves once again to leaving no one behind.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“In Africa and elsewhere, the cost-of- living crisis and the biting inflation, along with food and energy insecurity, are devastating our economies and continue to frustrate pandemic recovery efforts. Additionally, the debt burden has reached crisis levels. We call for general debt relief. We implore Russia and Ukraine to heed the global plea for political dialogue and end the war. Africa is simply asking for global peace and friendly relations. Our survival and progress depend on global peace and stability. The plight of the Rohingya remains a matter of grave concern to the Gambia. We call on the Myanmar Government to comply with the rulings of the International Court of Justice and end all human rights violations against the Rohingya. The Gambia will continue to defend their rights.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Reverting to other important matters of global concern, we entreat the Unites States to end the longstanding embargo imposed on Cuba. The reason is that global solidarity and friendly cooperation should define relations among States Members of the United Nations. In the Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict needs a new impetus for lasting peace. As a people, the Palestinians deserve a State of their own; we therefore call for a fresh peace initiative that includes the revival of the Arab Peace Initiative. We remain deeply disturbed by the horrors and humanitarian catastrophe arising from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The destabilizing global economic conditions imposed on the rest of the world are unbearable.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“We call on the contending parties on the ground to give the people a chance to live and coexist in peace. Moroccan sovereignty and territorial rights over its Sahara region should be recognized by all. In that regard, the Government of the Gambia reaffirms its strong support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative, which convincingly serves as a realistic compromise in accordance with United Nations resolutions. Developments in the Horn of Africa also continue to be a source of serious concern. We request the leaders of the region and the international community to explore new options to restore peace in the area. We must equally come together to jointly assist the region to combat terrorism through greater cooperation and intelligence sharing. The humanitarian crisis is enormous and calls for considerable international emergency aid.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“We must, however, review and do more to address the frequent deadly attacks against peacekeepers in mission areas by giving them realistic mandates. As a sitting member of the African Union Peace and Security Council, the Gambia’s commitment to peace and security in Africa and beyond remains unwavering. We have ongoing conflicts on our continent that need urgent international attention. The complexity of the challenges in the Sahel dictates multipronged approaches and interventions that would ensure sustainable peace and stability. We must therefore reconsider our assumptions concerning that region and seek forward-looking solutions that empower the citizens. The current security and governance situation in Libya equally deserves a fresh thrust from the international community.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“For that reason, we ask the United Nations and the international community to shoulder their fair share of the burden of the African Union’s peace endeavours. Our experience with keeping the peace in Africa is marked by isolated efforts in many instances. Africa must be provided with adequate equipment and the means to fully play its peace-enforcement role on behalf of the international community. As a long-standing troop- and police-contributing country, the Gambia will continue to support the Secretary-General’s Action for Peacekeeping initiative, and we welcome its reinforcement through the Action for Peacekeeping strategy. We are committed to improving the capacity of our officers through increased pre-deployment training, innovative partnerships and more gender-balanced peacekeeping deployment approaches.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Despite its size and economic status, the Gambia is at the forefront of fighting climate change through ambitious national action plans, and we look forward to participating effectively in the twenty- seventh Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Egypt and the fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Qatar. Accelerating development in Africa hinges on addressing the underlying causes of insecurity and underdevelopment. As a continent, our collective goal is to have a peaceful Africa where the people enjoy the dividends of peace, stability and prosperity. African Governments are committed to silencing the guns on the continent as a strategic objective.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Our goal is to recover and grow our economy, transform digitally and consolidate our democratic gains. Our resolve is to uplift our people from poverty, secure their livelihoods and create new avenues to transition into a prosperous, peaceful and stable nation. Because young people and women form the greater majority of our population, the Government will continue to empower them. Like all other genuine nations, we are committed to the global consensus that no country should be left behind in this Decade of Action to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“As we prepare to end the current electoral cycle with the 2023 local Government elections, we are proud that the Gambia now has multiple political parties and vibrant civil society organizations, with a sharp rise in public participation in national affairs. Amid the socioeconomic challenges that beset our nation, characterized by reduced tourism engagements, inflation, food and energy insecurity, and modest economic growth, we are developing a new National Development Plan 2022-2026, to succeed the current Plan. With this new Plan, we seek to advance the pursuit of our national priorities, including the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union Agenda 2063. We therefore solicit the support of the United Nations system, as well as our friends and development partners.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“As one of the hard-hit developing countries, the Gambia stands ready to cooperate with the Group to find real solutions for immediate relief. We have come to this summit with gratitude for the partnerships and support extended to us from 2016 to date. We thank the Secretary-General personally and the entire United Nations body for their continued support of our peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts. The Gambia has come a long way from dictatorship and has transitioned into a true multiparty democracy. Following the 2021 presidential election and the legislative elections this year, the consolidation process is gaining momentum. We will step up reforming and strengthening our national institutions to sustain a robust democracy where human rights and fundamental freedoms underpin our national policies, programmes and development efforts.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“To recover as a global family, we must muster the requisite courage and political will and take advantage of the opportunities that go with the global crises. The current cost-of-living crisis across the world is a wake-up call for an immediate global response to alleviate the suffering and poverty that hold our nations to ransom. The global inflationary trends, food insecurity and the energy crisis compound the natural disasters that continue to cause havoc around the world. The need for relief grows by the day, yet global efforts appear to be less and less effective. In that connection, my delegation fully welcomes the establishment of the Secretary-General’s Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance and eagerly looks forward to concrete, action-oriented recommendations and solutions.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Numerous interlocking global challenges requiring coordinated global action make it most pressing for us to rise to the occasion. This makes the theme “A watershed moment: transformative solutions to interlocking challenges” quite appropriate. In the thick of all the complexities confronting world leaders, we must underscore the centrality of the unique role and potential of the United Nations to make a huge difference in the lives of the people. Durable solutions that match the magnitude and intensity of the never- ending challenges remain the Assembly’s greatest challenge. The situation calls for new perceptions, new approaches, new partnerships, renewed commitments and increased resource levels equal to the scale of both current and emerging challenges.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“I bring warm greetings from the people of the Gambia and the wish that we will have a successful and fruitful seventy-seventh session. It is regrettable that we could not convene a proper general summit over the past two years due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease. Allow me, therefore, to pay a special tribute to the millions of people who have succumbed to the pandemic worldwide. In their memory, we must commit ourselves to better pandemic preparedness and response. My delegation congratulates Mr. Csaba Korosi on his efficient role as President of the General Assembly and I assure him of the Gambia’s support during his tenure. We also felicitate the Secretary-General for ably steering the affairs of the United Nations during what has become one of the most challenging times of the century.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“President, We put on record our unwavering support for your Presidency during the 75th session of UNGA, and look forward to your strong leadership in these unusual and challenging times. Also, we express profound gratitude to our Brother and Friend, Professor Tijjani Muhammad-Bande of Nigeria, and his excellent team for the excellent leadership skills and dynamism during his tenure as President. To conclude, I wish all Members a happy and productive 75th Anniversary.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“President, To promote friendly relations between States, The Gambia calls for the normalisation of relations between Cuba and the United States. In the same vein, we fully endorse the one-China policy, and look forward to stronger, mutually beneficial international cooperation with the Peoples’ Republic of China. Mr. President, As we celebrate seventy-five years of the existence of this democratic Organisation, it is a paradox that Africa is still negotiating for representation on the Security Council. Yet, much of its agenda affect the African continent. Certainly, Africa’s voice on the Council will build confidence and reinforce the legitimacy of its decisions. Mr.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“President, On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we call on the international community to take into account the Arab Peace Initiative, and undertake peaceful and genuine dialogue on a two-state solution. Mr. President, We endorse the work of the International Criminal Court, and call on the United States to revoke the sanctions imposed on the Court and its officials. Respect for the rule of law benefits all democratic states. Furthermore, we renew our interest in the case filed at the International Court of Justice on the plight of the Rohingya people in Myanmar. In this endeavour, we count on the support and efforts of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation and all genuine partners to ensure that justice is served in Myanmar. Mr.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“In spite of its troubles, Africa contributes to global peace and security, thus deserving the support of the international community, particularly the UN. I assure this Body that The Gambia will continue to meet its commitments under the Secretary General’s Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) Initiative. Mr. President, The international community must not relent in its efforts to restore peace and stability in Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and other trouble spots. I submit that The United Nations and regional organisations should do more to disrupt the activities of all armed terrorist and criminal networks. In addition, the African Union’s efforts to silence the guns on the continent deserve continued international support for greater peace and stability on the African continent. Mr.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Mr. President, Insecurity continues to pose a serious challenge for countries of the Sahel. There are random attacks on communities, mass killings of innocent people and terrorist acts that displace populations with untold suffering and crises. We acknowledge the efforts of the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS and other international partners to bring security and development to the region. The implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel is important for maintaining lasting peace in the region. We commend UNOWAS, therefore, for its role in pacifying the region. Mr. President, The Gambia subscribes to the UN-AU Partnership on Peace and Security in Africa.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“President, We equally applaud the frontline workers and scientific community for striving to save lives and to find a vaccine and cure for COVID-19. We hope that, if achieved, all safe and effective remedies will be made accessible and affordable to all. Mr. President, The pandemic has exposed and worsen the disadvantages of the digital divide in the world, especially in the field of education delivery. Millions of people around the world cannot access virtual classrooms due to the persistent inability to access the Internet. Access to cyberspace has become the defining feature at work and in education. Through enhanced partnerships in the implementation of SDG 4, developing countries need support to overcome the digital gap, and create equal opportunities to access information and quality education, including vocational and ICT skills.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“President, we appreciate the role of the World Health Organization in guiding global healthcare action for all. Nonetheless, The Gambia craves for additional support to develop recovery strategies and programmes for the post-pandemic period. As a country in transition, the pandemic is undermining the gains we made in restoring democracy and forging reconciliation and peace-building in the country. I assure the international community, however, that we are committed to all our transition tasks and programmes supported by the UN Peace-building Fund and the international community. We cherish your invaluable support, and urge for its continuation and expansion to help us nurture our democracy in a healthy environment. Mr.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“In this light, The Gambia reiterates the strong call by the African Union for debt relief or debt cancellation, enhanced access to global finance, reduction of transaction costs on remittances and increased global solidarity and partnership. We hope that the unique circumstances and challenges of the Least Developed Countries, especially countries in transition like The Gambia, will be accorded special and speedy consideration. Mr. President, Aside from the economies, it is quite urgent to rebuild and strengthen our weak healthcare systems and infrastructure and, through humanitarian action, the shattered and broken lives and homes. This is an opportunity also to overhaul national health care systems and the international health and disease surveillance systems to make them better prepared for such pandemics. Mr.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“In this complex situation, my Government has, with the support of partners, instituted social protection programmes to ease the adverse impact on our people. These interventions are not sustainable without external support. Implementation of our National Development Plan, 2018-2021 has been hampered by the pandemic. As the UN Decade of Action for the implementation of Agenda 2030 has been undermined by the outbreak of the pandemic, it is essential and most urgent to accelerate the implementation of our global commitments on Financing for Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Mr. President, Developing countries, such as The Gambia, will continue to require support packages or bailouts from the United Nations and the international community in order to survive the ongoing economic decline.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“We admit, however, that our efforts have been significantly boosted by support from international friends and partners, such as the UN, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the European Union and bilateral friends. This underscores the importance and relevance of international cooperation and solidarity in the search for solutions to global challenges. Mr. President, Small and developing nations have been struggling to manage their debt burdens, while trying to develop their economies. The outbreak of the pandemic has reversed our gains, with low revenue earnings and high public expenditure becoming the norm. The Gambia’s economy has shrunk to 2 per cent of GDP, and it continues to contract. Our tourism sector, which is a major employer and foreign exchange earner, is devastated, and unemployment is increasing rapidly.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“President, The Charter has empowered institutions to deal with all forms of crises, such as the outbreak of the pandemic, which threatens our existence. Earnestly, the response to the pandemic must equal the magnitude of the challenge. The devastation is already immense in terms of loss of human lives, economic loss and its social and emotional impact on nations, communities and individuals. A multilateral solution stands to be the surest path to safety and recovery for all of us. Mr. President, Healthcare systems across the world are struggling to cope with the crisis, compelling many nations, including The Gambia, to adopt unusual measures that require huge and varied resources.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“It demonstrates the wisdom and need to craft collective strategies, approaches and solutions to mitigate global challenges. Mr. President, The need is pressing to defend our multilateral institutions by taking legitimate action on issues brought to the attention of the UN. It will result to establishing and maintaining peace and cooperation in a tranquil world order. Mr. President, To achieve this goal, space must be created to adequately and justly address the concerns and interests of all Member States. For small States like The Gambia, the UN has always provided a platform for negotiation, discussion, cooperation and collaboration for collective global action. Therefore, we reaffirm our commitment to the Charter and Principles of the United Nations. Mr.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, Your Majesties, Excellencies, Distinguished Heads of State and Government, Ladies and Gentlemen, On behalf of my delegation, I bring you warm greetings from the people of The Gambia on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the founding of United Nations (UN), which unfortunately coincides with the global COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we convey our sincere condolences to all those who have lost loved ones to the pandemic. Mr. President, We welcome the theme for the 75th Session of the UNGA: “The future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism — confronting Covid-19 through effective multilateral action”. As humankind, our future is closely linked, and the Covid-19 global pandemic has made this evident.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“My delegation looks forward to a successful seventy-third session, and we hope that the President’s election will strengthen efforts aimed at highlighting the plight of rural women and girls. Before I conclude, let me express our sincere condolences to the family of the late former Secretary- General Kofi Annan. Mr. Annan was a formidable voice on everything, including reform of the United Nations. He stood for a just world and was a passionate advocate of good governance and fundamental freedoms. Kofi Annan will surely be greatly missed.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“As the upcoming Chair of the next summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Gambia has undertaken, through a resolution, to champion an accountability mechanism that would ensure that perpetrators of the terrible crimes against the Rohingya Muslims are brought to book. While it is our strong desire to see reform that enables the Secretary-General to operate effectively, it is equally expected that the reforms also facilitate the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Reform of the Security Council is long overdue. I want to remind the Assembly that the process truly reflects all interests and positions represented in the intergovernmental negotiations. We are convinced that Africa’s voice should be fully represented on the Security Council.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Similarly, I applaud the leaders of South Sudan for agreeing to restore peace and work towards developing their country. We call on the leaders of Libya and the Central African Republic to intensify their efforts through political dialogue for national reconciliation and peace. My Government reaffirms its strong support for a two-State solution to establish peace between the Palestinians and their neighbours. We also unconditionally recognize the One China policy. Similarly, we recognize the support provided by the Government and the people of Bangladesh to address the plight of the Rohingya Muslims.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“My Government proposes that we do a better job of protecting the lives not only of innocent civilians but also of the men and women who constitute the peacekeepers. At this juncture, I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all the gallant peacekeepers who have fallen. We call on our partners to rise to the challenge and stop the prolongation of conflicts, and we therefore support the Secretary-General’s agenda for reform. As Africans, we must assume leadership for maintaining peace and security in our continent. In that respect, I commend the leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea for the extraordinary efforts they have made to bring lasting peace to the Horn of Africa, setting an example for the rest of the continent to emulate.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Strategically, we must disrupt all criminal networks and the financing of criminal sales of organs and body parts, using better information-sharing and cross- border security initiatives. As we battle those negative forces and try to fulfil our aspirations of silencing the guns on the African continent by 2020, we are worried about the state of United Nations peacekeeping missions in some of our trouble spots, especially in view of the drastic cuts to the peacekeeping budget. The lack of the critical resources needed to support peacekeeping is quite worrisome. The Gambia supports the introduction of appropriate reforms to strengthen the capacity of the United Nations for both peacebuilding and peacekeeping, and they should be reconsidered and maintained as important priorities on the Organization’s agenda.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“As a member of the Sahel region, the Gambia fully supports the implementation of the new United Nations Support Plan for the Sahel, anchored in the United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel. We are optimistic that it will contribute significantly to addressing the challenges of development in the Sahel, as well as to fostering peace, security and cross- border relations. We are particularly excited that the new strategy views the Sahel as a land of opportunity and not of hopelessness. Given that fact, we envisage that it will yield important dividends for Africa, especially with regard to the maintenance of peace and security and the elimination of terrorism in the region.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Despite those positive developments, I strongly urge that interventions to curb youth migration be supported through incentives to young people to stay in their country. In that regard, we look forward to the high-level conference in Marrakech in December aimed at adopting the new global compact on safe, orderly and regular migration. Better educational and job opportunities must be harnessed for young people in order to inspire them and give them hope in life. In that regard, my Government stands ready to work collaboratively with the United Nations, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States and other regional blocs to devise and implement suitable strategies and interventions.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Quite deliberately, the plan is consistent with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as the African Union’s Agenda 2063. In our pursuit of a fully transformed Gambia, we recognize the importance of meaningful engagement with the Gambian diaspora, fondly referred to as the eighth region of the Gambia. Our diaspora strategy seeks to explore and utilize the skills, talents and resources of Gambians everywhere for the successful implementation of our national development plan. The Gambia’s experience demonstrates that democracy yields amazing dividends. Remarkably, we have noticed a decrease in the number of young people attempting to undertake dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean to Europe. The average Gambian is willing to stay in the country and contribute to national development.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“We have also begun to exploit and harness the benefits of information and communication technology as a catalyst for modernization and youth empowerment. Our national development plan was presented to a successful donor conference in Brussels, where significant pledges were made to help us meet our funding targets. I want to once again express our profound thanks to our bilateral and multilateral partners, including the United Nations, the European Union, the World Bank and many others, for their interest and support. We are indeed truly grateful, as we look forward to their continued collaboration and support for our efforts to attain our development objectives. The national development plan will continue to be implemented through the partnerships and solidarity built at the Brussels meeting.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“When Gambians voted for change in 2016, they were yearning to be in charge of their destiny. They wanted significant, not cosmetic, improvements in their lives. It is for that reason that my Government is now implementing a comprehensive national development plan for the period 2018-2021. The plan seeks to transform the Gambia through key priorities, such as infrastructure development, agricultural transformation, macroeconomic stability, job creation and employment. The plan also seeks to consolidate our democratic gains through good governance, the rule of law and respect for human and people’s rights. In all, our goal is to deliver a fully transformed Gambia that has a future, a country that is energy secure, food-self- sufficient and investment-friendly.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“As leaders, we have the shared responsibility to promote a world order that prioritizes peace over insecurity, eliminates the growing inequalities around the world and brings us sustainable development. With reference to the Gambia and following a difficult political impasse in December 2016, Gambians have managed, with the support of our partners, to restore democracy and the rule of law in our country. We have completed our national electoral process in full, after successfully conducting both legislative and local Government elections. We are also resolutely pursuing institutional and constitutional reforms. Such reforms have commenced, with the hope of putting the Gambia on a solid path to becoming a shining champion of democracy and human rights in the world.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Indeed, the United Nations must play a lead role in solving global challenges, and our task is to ensure that it has the required capacity, influence and effectiveness. Decisions and actions rooted in a rules-based international system that is underpinned by multilateral agreements and processes form the basis for the successful conduct of relations between and among nations. Let us therefore restore faith in our rules- based international order, so as to remain relevant and collectively make progress on our global agenda, ranging from tackling the menaces of climate change and terrorism to addressing disarmament, trade, development and other issues of concern to humankind. I am confident that it is only through effective global leadership and international cooperation that the well- being of all of the world’s citizens can be achieved.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The United Nations provides a unique opportunity to achieve that goal. It is apparent that in order to make real progress, effective global leadership is imperative. As leaders, we must therefore all shoulder our responsibilities as best we can. That should compel us to support and invest more in the United Nations, instead of withdrawing our participation or cutting back our financial support. It is ironic that at a time when multiple global challenges are emerging and mounting, support for the work of the United Nations is being undermined through inadequate funding. Those of us who value the United Nations, as well as those who have benefited immensely from its work, should be at the forefront in calling on all Member States to step up support for the Organization.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The theme of the seventy-third session, “Making the United Nations relevant to all people: global leadership and shared responsibilities for peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies”, is indeed very relevant to today’s global affairs. By implication, the pursuit of the mission of the United Nations for peace, development and human rights also remains as relevant today as it was in 1945, when it was adopted in response to the horrific experiences and destruction during that tragic era. Amid the complex multilateral challenges that continue to confront us globally, no country can thrive or solve all of the challenges it faces in isolation. As human beings, our salvation lies in strengthening our multilateral institutions and fostering greater international cooperation in order to collectively address global challenges.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“All praise is due to the Almighty Allah for granting us the favour of gathering in the Assembly once again to discuss and advance our common global agenda. Please allow me to begin by sincerely thanking His Excellency Mr. Miroslav Lajčák for the excellent manner in which he presided over the General Assembly at its seventy-second session. By the same token, I congratulate Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés on her assumption of the presidency of the General Assembly at its seventy-third session. I assure her that as one of her Vice-Presidents, the Gambia pledges its full support and cooperation during her tenure of office.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“I want to conclude by reaffirming my optimism and confidence in our collective ability to uplift humankind from the clutches of poverty; to institute a global order of peace, firmly held together by justice; and to love, care and tolerate each other. In tune with our national anthem, we pledge our firm allegiance to those values that we hold ever true. I offer the best wishes from the people of The Gambia — the smiling coast of Africa.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“The intergovernmental character of the mandates entrusted to the Secretariat requires the existence of trust and accountability between Member States and the Secretariat. As the United Nations embarks on its proposed reforms, we stand ready to give it full support in the interest of an effective and more relevant world body. Last but not least, one long-standing issue is the pending question of Security Council reform. Former Secretary-General Kofi Annan once said that no reform of the United Nations can be complete without reform of the Security Council. That remains true today. Africa will not give up its legitimate and historic quest for true representation on the Council, and The Gambia fully supports the African Union’s demand for the long- overdue reform of the Security Council.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“It is against that backdrop that I am calling on the private sector to emulate philanthropists in their generosity towards the most isolated, marginalized and deprived sections of the world. Providing safe drinking water, roads, power, health care and education is key to restoring human dignity. In our foreign policy, as part of our historic friendship we fully recognize the One China policy. The People’s Republic of China is the sole representative of the Chinese people and a true friend of The Gambia. Our two countries continue to strengthen cooperation on the basis of a win-win approach, built on mutual trust and respect within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. An organization like the United Nations, by virtue of its functions, will always require some level of reform of its management systems.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“My Government firmly subscribes to the idea of a two- State solution for the two peoples to live side by side in peace and harmony. We therefore call on the Secretary- General to vigorously pursue that formula in the interest of lasting peace. Continued support in the areas of transitional justice and security sector reform will certainly go a long way towards entrenching peace, justice and democracy in The Gambia. 17-29281 13/24 There is a shortage neither of ideas nor of resources to fix the major problems facing the human race. What has always been scarce is political will, and unless adequate resources are invested the pace of development will remain slow and a minimal impact will be achieved.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“West Africa is on the march towards the consolidation of its democratic gains, but as a region we are facing serious threats to our peace and security. Terrorism, extremism, religious intolerance, organized crime and drug trafficking are seriously undermining our development efforts. Recent attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and the Sahel in general underscore the urgent need for greater regional and international cooperation in addressing those challenges. The indifference, injustices and indignities in isolated parts of the world create real threats to global peace, prosperity and democracy. We need to take bigger and bolder steps to close the gap between the North and South, as the world is too imbalanced. We remain deeply concerned that the Israeli- Palestinian conflict still defies resolution.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Although The Gambia did not go through armed conflict, the political crisis that we experienced arose as a result of decades of bad governance, weak State institutions, the rule of fear and growing intolerance. We were on the brink of physical violence and armed conflict. We therefore express our deep appreciation to the United Nations Office for West Africa, the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission and the Peacebuilding Support Office for the critical initial support they have rendered to my country. The pursuit of peace and security in Africa and the world will always be a major foreign policy goal for The Gambia. We will pursue good-neighbourliness and cooperation with our sister Republic of Senegal, and the countries of ECOWAS will remain our strategic partners.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Over the past decade, we have lost many of our friends and development partners through the wrong policy choices, but since the restoration of democracy and good governance many of our long-standing partners are coming back to work with us. We are in the process of rejoining the Commonwealth and the International Criminal Court. We are also committed to being part of the African Peer Review Mechanism. We are finalizing plans for a roundtable donors’ conference to mobilize resources for the long-term development of the country. The continued support, solidarity and partnership of the international community will be critical to the success of that conference.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Countless others disappear into immigration detention centres or vanish in the sands of the Sahara desert. Those who are able to complete the journey are often dismissed as economic migrants and sent back home. This sense of hopelessness and frustration also provides fertile ground for smugglers and extremist groups to recruit innocent young people into the criminal underworld. Young people do not deserve this experience; they deserve the chance to enjoy a safe and prosperous future at home. Creating new employment opportunities that provide young people with sustainable incomes and connect them to a revitalized land and a healthy and productive environment is an investment in the future of the nation. This is a key priority of our national development plan.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)