The much-anticipated event, set for December 2024, is aimed at gathering youth from various districts to engage in discussions, sport, cultural activities and conferences.
Regional Youth Chairperson Bubacarr Sidibeh emphasised the goals of NAYCONF and SAFRA, which include youth empowerment, promoting sportsmanship, cultural exchange and community building.
Sidibeh assured the people of his full participation as well as of his committee and the young people at large.
SAFRA Vice Chairperson Pateh Baldeh expressed appreciation with his members for answering to the call, and emphasised the need for a close working relationship between the teams.
Baldeh assured of SAFRA members’ commitment to supporting both events to be successful.
The Regional Sports Chairman, Alagie Muya Baldeh, spoke uniquely on the role of sport in both events, encouraging all the district sports chairpersons to join hands in supporting fundraising initiatives.
Also speaking, Abubakarr Danjo, who represented the Chairman of Basse Area Council, stated that “the LOC will steer affairs” of the two events.
“Basse Area Council, under the leadership of Chairman Muhammed Ceesay, will support SAFRA and NAYCONF fully, making sure URR is well represented,” Danjo said.
Governor of Upper River Region, Samba Bah, reiterated the commitment of the Local Organizing Committee and his office to leading both events to success.
He commended President Adama Barrow for his support to the nation’s young individuals.
Governor Bah also commended philanthropists for their support during the 2022-23 NAYCONF and SAFRA.
He concluded with announcing a D5,000.000 budget for this year's NAYCONF and SAFRA and officially launched the Local Organizing Committee (LOC).
The launching ceremony provided an opportunity to foster enthusiasm and support for NAYCONF and SAFRA from local communities, youth organizations, and media outlets.
In a related youth discourse, the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum organised an official event on the sidelines of the Summit of the Future, held during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The event was held in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of The Gambia, the Youth Affairs Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Religions for Peace and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).
In his statement on the theme of the side event - “Youth Responses to the Century’s Biggest Challenges: Contributions to the Summit of the Future”, Minister Bakary Y. Badjie stresses the need for Interfaith dialogues to addressing the challenges for the world.
Minister Badjie called on organizations and governments to work together to end the conflicts around the world for a better and prosperous future for all, especially the young people.
In his welcoming remarks, the President of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), HE Dr Taha Ayhan, delivered a powerful statement emphasising the role of young people in shaping a just and sustainable future.
He called for global support for Palestine and Youth under occupation.
Speakers at the event included Dr Francis Kuria of Religions for Peace, H.E. Ambassador Hameed Opeloyeru, and OIC Permanent Observer to the UN, Jamil Ahmad.
