The birthday, celebrated in a form of cocktail dinner, was hosted by High Commissioner Harriet King. It was spectacular of entertainment underscoring the ongoing commitment to the nation’s development.
Dignitaries, CSOs and government officials among others gathered to honour the occasion, reflecting the strong ties between the UK and The Gambia.
The celebration did not only mark the royal birthday but also served as a platform for discussing collaborative efforts aimed at fostering growth and progress in various sectors.
The British High Commissioner to The Gambia, Her Excellency Harriet King emphasised the importance of these initiatives in enhancing community engagement and improving opportunities in The Gambia.
“My country’s cooperation and support to the rights of women and girls continue with energy and drive, she said, adding through “Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and our friends at the United Nations we will do all we can in this area.”
“Our support on health, particularly through the Medical Research Council, but also increasingly through our support of the work of the Horizons Trust, and the growing partnerships between medical professionals and institutions in the UK and The Gambia will continue to grow.”
“I want to do more on education, and we will look at ways at which partnerships with the UK can help further support the education sector here, including scholarships. Our support to the security sector here remains strong, and it’s fabulous to see so many British nationals returning to The Gambia now as the tourists’ season has started again,” she reaffirmed.
“We will continue to support growth in this area. We will strive to do more to support on climate change particularly climate resilience. And lastly as mentioned earlier, economic growth is a key area of focus for our new government in the UK, and we have plans for a trade delegation to visit The Gambia in early 2025 to look at investment opportunities, hopefully headed up by our Minister for Africa,” the High Commissioner said.
Vice President Mohammed B.S. Jallow said: “We are reminded not only of His Majesty’s exemplary leadership but also of the enduring and historic ties between The Gambia and the United Kingdom. These ties, deeply rooted in our shared history, have evolved over the years into a partnership built on mutual respect, cooperation, and a shared vision for progress and development,” he said.
“The relationship between our two nations dates back centuries, with a rich tapestry of cultural, economic, and political exchanges. While our shared history reflects challenges, it is also marked by resilience and transformation, demonstrating our collective ability to forge a path of understanding and collaboration as we near the 60th anniversary of independence.
“In few months, I look forward to welcoming a UK trade delegation to The Gambia and working alongside the High Commissioner to help more Gambian businesses to enter the UK market, particularly in the agricultural sector. And on our shared priority of tackling climate change, we stand side by side. The Gambia has continued to meet its NDC commitments and with UK support we are now in a position to sell our first carbon credits on the international market, generating vital income for my government.”
“On security, we have a deep and historic relationship and I am pleased that the relationship between the Armed Forces of our two nations continues to go from strength to strength.”
“We are proud to have several graduates from Royal Military College in Sandhurst and the Royal Naval College serving in the Gambian Armed Forces and the Gambian Navy. Furthermore, UK and Gambian troops regularly conduct training together as allies for global security in preparation for UN peace keeping missions.”
“As we celebrate His Majesty’s birthday today, we also celebrate the shared values and aspirations that bind The Gambia and the United Kingdom. This occasion reminds us of the potential for even greater collaboration as we continue to build a brighter and more prosperous future for our peoples.”
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