Gambia Gov’t reaffirms support to UN

The Government of the Gambia has said it will continue to support and partner with the United Nations to advance the global response to the economic crisis, climate change, environmental degradation, poverty, education, political instability, infectious diseases and gender empowerment.

This was declared by the minister of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, Lamin Kaba Bajo, who is currently overseeing the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Banjul.

Bajo was speaking at a cocktail reception held at the Coco Ocean Hotel on Monday as part of commemoration of this year’s United Nations Day.

UN Day is celebrated on 24 October each year by member states to reaffirm their commitment to the global community.

In a statement to mark the day, Minister Bajo told invited guests including foreign diplomats: “As echoed by a resolution at the 65th session of the UN General Assembly, the function of the UN is an indispensable component of propagation of the noble ideas that are mutually shared by nations around the world.”

He stated that given the crises that the world is currently faced with, the role of the UN in the 21st century cannot be underestimated, especially “when we need to collaborate to find solutions to threats we face in common”.

According to him, the government of the Gambia firmly adheres to the notion that through closer collaboration, and open discourse, the UN on the common issues that polarised the world, will accelerate the achievement of its MDGs.

He added that through the various platforms availed by the UN, governments, regardless of their economic pedigre, political orientation and size, are provided with the unique platform to share achievements and solicit the needed assistance to achieve their respective socio-economic aspirations.

Speaking earlier, the chief UN diplomat in the Gambia, Ms Chinwe Dike, read the statement of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon delivered on this year’s UN Day.

The UN country representative noted with gratitude that, in the Gambia, the UN system works closely with the government and facilitated the preparation of a status report on the achievements of the MDGs.

“Since 2002, the government has made concerted efforts and integrated the MDGs into its national development policy framework, such as the second Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper 2007-2011 (PRSP II) and other sectoral policies,” she said.

Representatives of the various UN agencies working in the Gambia, members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, as well as members of the media graced the occasion.