The launch was held at the UN House in Bakau. Further, an initiative which aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Framework for The Gambia (2024-2028), seeks to enhance youth participation in decision-making processes.
The AYAG will also serve as an advisory body to the UN Country Team, ensuring that the perspectives and priorities of adolescents and young people are integrated into UN policies and programs.
The group comprises 20 youth from diverse backgrounds across the country, selected through a rigorous process to ensure broad representation.
At the launch, Karl Frederick Paul, UN Resident coordinator in The Gambia, emphasised the significance of youth engagement in shaping policies that impact their lives.
“This advisory group that you constitute right now, is very important and it’s a groundbreaking partnership between the United Nations and the Gambian youth because it brings 20 diverse young leaders, and you are aged between, I would say, up to 35 years old, and you have been selected in more than approximately 500 candidates for this,” he said.
Nafisa Binte Shafique, UNICEF Country Representative to The Gambia, while acknowledging the country’s large and dynamic youth population, equally acknowledged their determination and passion for driving positive change.
She urged AYAG members to embrace their roles so as to actively contribute to shaping the nation’s future.
Dr. Mariam John, deputy Chief of Staff, while expressing government’s appreciation for the initiative, also encouraged members of the advisory group to provide honest feedback and hold the UN accountable for its commitments to youth development.
“You hold the UN accountable, but you are also accountable for yourselves because you are representing all the voices of the young people in The Gambia, and you are also looking forward to a positive outcome, you represent social cohesion," she said.
Fatima Gomez, representing the newly formed advisory group, expressed gratitude to the UN for creating a platform where young voices can influence development policies.
Meanwhile, this advisory group will provide insights on critical issues affecting young people, including employment, education, entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability, climate change, peace and security, digital transformation, gender and social inclusion, and health.
Through the engagement, AYAG also seeks to ensure that UN programs effectively address the challenges and opportunities facing youth while fostering accountability in youth development efforts.
