The two‑day workshop brought together representatives from government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to review the draft document before its endorsement and submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
NDC 3.0 sets out The Gambia’s updated and strengthened commitments under the Paris Agreement. According to the ministry, the document was developed through technical analysis, broad consultations across sectors, and alignment with the country’s long‑term climate strategy.
Speaking at the workshop, Ebrima Jawara, Permanent Secretary at MECCNAR, said the NDC was not only about climate commitments but also about supporting national development ambitions.
“This NDC underpins our development aspirations, our financing strategy, as well as our investment,” Jawara noted.
He emphasised that the validation exercise provided an opportunity for stakeholders to ensure financing and implementation considerations were properly reflected, while also resolving outstanding technical and policy issues and building national consensus.
Jawara highlighted that NDC 3.0 was developed differently from previous commitments in 2016 and 2021, with greater emphasis on consultation and participation. More than 300 people were engaged during the year‑long process, with stakeholders consulted across the country.
Clarine, Climate Advisor at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), commended the process, describing the draft as evidence‑based and urging stakeholders to provide input to ensure it reflected national priorities.
Ansumana Sanneh, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, stressed that the NDC should be viewed not merely as an international obligation but as an investment and development agenda covering agriculture, energy, water, forests and infrastructure.
The validation workshop marks one of the final stages in preparing NDC 3.0 before government endorsement and submission to the UNFCCC, positioning The Gambia to strengthen its climate commitments while advancing sustainable development.
