Minister Kinteh expressed her gratitude for the invitation, stating, "I am indeed delighted to honour your invitation and to participate in this important side event organised by our sister Republic of Senegal."
She highlighted the deep social, cultural, economic, and demographic ties shared by The Gambia and Senegal, acknowledging that these similarities also mean both countries face common development challenges in their pursuit of fulfilling the commitments of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
"On behalf of my delegation, I wish to extend our heartfelt congratulations on your recent appointment as the Minister of Women, Family, and Solidarity. We are committed to renewing the implementation of the Joint Cooperation Agreement (JCO) signed in Dakar, Senegal, in 2020 by the two Ministries of Women Affairs," Minister Kinteh stated.
She further assured Senegal of The Gambia's unwavering commitment to strengthening their long-standing relationship, saying: "On behalf of His Excellency President Adama Barrow, I want to assure you that The Gambia remains dedicated to fostering our enduring bond. This can be achieved through a strategic and collective approach to addressing our shared development challenges, advancing gender equity, and empowering women and girls."
Minister Kinteh emphasised the importance of collaboration in overcoming challenges, adding, "As we share progress made in implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, let us remain mindful of the hurdles we face in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030."
Marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Commitment, she acknowledged that while notable strides have been made, persistent challenges remain in achieving true gender parity. "We recognise your commitment and the paradigm shift undertaken by your government through the Vision 2050 initiative. This vision presents a transformative opportunity to accelerate progress on gender equality and women's empowerment, building on the foundation laid by the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action."
She concluded with a call for unity: "The Beijing Declaration remains a cornerstone in the fight for gender equality, and Vision 2050 offers a chance to build on this legacy, ensuring that future generations inherit a world where equality is not just an aspiration but a reality. Together, these frameworks can inspire collective action and drive meaningful change in our sub-region."
Accompanying Hon. Fatou Kinteh were First Lady of the Gambia, the spouse of the Vice President , Ambassador Lamin B. Dibba, Ambassador Momodou Lamin Bah, DPS Kajali Sonko, Permanent Secretaries Roheyatou Kah (Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare) and Amie Njie (Ministry of Information, Media, and Broadcasting), as well as the Director of Information Services, Aisha Davies-Ann.
Sarjo M. Camara, Communications Officer, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfarereporting form New York.
