But attendance is not enough. This year the theme of the Government of The Gambia is centred around results and delivery — not just talk, not just promises, but concrete outcomes. The challenge for The Gambia is to turn speeches into solutions and meetings into deals that can change lives at home.
From Presence to Purpose
Mr President, for too long, small states like ours have been content with being present at global gatherings. We must now move from presence to purpose. The Gambia has a powerful story to tell — of resilience, reform, and readiness. With the SeneGambia Bridge, the Port of Banjul, and our strategic location, we are a natural hub for trade and investment in West Africa. UNGA80 offers the platform to frame The Gambia not as a bystander, but as a gateway of opportunity.
Meetings Must Translate Into Deals
Mr President, bilateral and multilateral engagements are where real value is secured. Our delegation to such summits should walk into meetings with clear project proposals and financing needs with the various UN Agencies, Bilateral and Multilateral Partners in sustainable development. We should look beyond rhetoric; explore tangible and bankable projects to impact the lives and livelihoods of Gambians.
Raising Our Voice Where It Matters
Mr President, UNGA is also about advocacy. The Gambia should strengthen its role in coalitions of Least Developed Countries, OIC members, especially given the fact that Your Excellency is the Chairman of the Organisation of Islamic Conference. Climate resilience, food sovereignty security, and digital transformation are areas where our leadership can resonate globally. Side events, panel discussions, and press engagements should be used to position The Gambia as a thought leader — small in size, but big in ambition.
Deliverables, Not Just Discussions
Mr President, what will Gambians gain from UNGA80? Success should be measured not by the number of speeches delivered but by tangible outcomes. At least:
• Two to three MoUs or agreements signed in priority areas like education, digital economy, and renewable energy.
• Financing commitments secured for agriculture, housing, and energy projects.
• A climate finance pledge under the Loss and Damage Fund.
• A structured Diaspora investment framework, engaging Gambians in the United States to channel knowledge and resources home and establish a network of friends of The Gambia comprising former US Ambassadors, USAID Representatives and Peace Corps Directors that have represented the US in The Gambia, as well as Gambian Ambassadors and UN Permanent Representatives that served in the USA.
Accountability Back Home
Mr President, the trap of “attend-and-forget” must be avoided. A Ministerial Task Force on UNGA Outcomes, chaired by the Vice President, should track and report on progress every two months. This will ensure that commitments secured in New York translate into deliverables in Banjul.
UNGA80 is not just another meeting. It is a test of leadership and delivery. Every handshake, every bilateral, every roundtable must answer one urgent question: How does this improve the lives of Gambians?
Good Day!