She recalled that Rafela, working in partnership with the Banjul City Council and the UN South‑South Cooperation, has already rolled out impactful initiatives. These include youth voluntarism programmes, training schemes, and skills acquisition projects that have enabled young Gambians to pursue opportunities in diverse institutions and countries - ranging from the MDI to tailoring centres, and extending to Senegal, Nigeria, China, and beyond.
Mayor Lowe argued that a stronger Rafela-Azerbaijan alliance would “undoubtedly go a long way” in scaling up such efforts, ensuring that women and youth are not only supported but positioned as drivers of innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth.
Azerbaijani Delegation in The Gambia, visits Mayor Lowe
In a meeting steeped in both diplomacy and personal sentiment, Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe welcomed a distinguished Azerbaijani delegation led by H.E. Mr Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The delegation also included H.E. Dr Nazim Samadov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to The Gambia, and Mr Elmaddin Mehdiyev, Head of the Middle East and Africa Directorate at Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For Mayor Lowe, the encounter was more than a formal courtesy. It was, in her words, “a homecoming of the heart.” Azerbaijan holds a special place in her public service journey, as it was there that she received the prestigious UN Habitat Special Citation from Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif, then Executive Director of UN Habitat. That honour, she reflected, continues to inspire her daily commitment to sustainable urban development.
The discussions in Banjul centred on strengthening cooperation between the Gambian capital and Baku, but the scope extended far beyond city-to-city ties. Both sides emphasised the strategic importance of building bridges between the Middle East and Africa, regions united by shared aspirations of resilience, youth empowerment, and climate-smart growth. Mayor Lowe underscored that such partnerships are not optional but essential for global progress.
The meeting was marked by warmth and camaraderie. Lowe described her Azerbaijani counterparts as “colleagues whom I now call family,” expressing deep gratitude to Deputy Minister Rafiyev for his vision and hospitality. “I love and deeply respect the people and environment of Azerbaijan,” she said, adding that she was proud to see that affection reciprocated in the spirit of shared development.
The encounter reinforced Banjul’s growing role in international diplomacy and highlighted Lowe’s personal connection to Azerbaijan, a country she regards as her second home. As the mayor continues to champion sustainable urban growth, the Banjul-Baku bridge stands as a symbol of cooperation across continents.
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