“Too many children lack access to quality health services. Too many suffer from malnutrition. Too many are out of school, and too many remain exposed to violence, exploitation and neglect,” he warned. “Climate change is further undermining the very foundation of their future.”
He delivered the remarks during UNICEF’s diamond jubilee commemoration, where he praised the UN’s achievements since establishing its presence in The Gambia six decades ago but admitted that significant challenges persist.
Mr. Paul stressed the need for urgent, accelerated action: “If 64 percent of our population is made up of children, then 64 percent of our urgency must be directed toward improving their lives. This anniversary is not just a moment of reflection it is a call for acceleration, for courage, and for innovation.”
He said UNICEF’s track record demonstrates what becomes possible when commitment translates into concrete action. However, he emphasised that the responsibility to drive progress does not lie with UNICEF alone.
“Governments must step up, UN agencies must step up, civil society must step up, the private sector must step up, and communities must step up,” he said. “We must combine our efforts with renewed determination to build resilient systems that reach every child, especially those who have been left furthest behind.”
Mr. Paul reaffirmed the UN’s strong commitment to helping The Gambia confront emerging issues including climate resilience, digital inclusion, adolescent empowerment, strengthened social protection, and quality education.
He highlighted that UNICEF’s leadership continues to promote strong inter-agency cooperation, ensuring that child-focused initiatives are integrated across all sectors for greater impact.
Describing the 60th anniversary as both a celebration and a call to greater action, he said it marks a legacy of six decades of dedication to improving the lives of children across The Gambia, but also challenges all partners to do more, move faster, and aim higher.
He urged continued investments in systems that ensure no child is left behind, as well as efforts to amplify the voices of children and adolescents, who he said “must be heard and heeded.”
“Let us ensure that the 64 percent who are our children become 100 percent of our priority,” he concluded. “On behalf of the United Nations in The Gambia, I congratulate UNICEF on this milestone. Your legacy belongs to all of us, and building the next chapter is our shared responsibility for every child, everywhere.”
