𝐌𝐨𝐅𝐀 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞-𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝐌𝐨𝐅𝐀 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞-𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: Ambassador Lang Yabou, Permanent Secretary I, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Monday 8th December 2025 on behalf of the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, received a United Nations Peace-building Fund (PBF) technical partner delegation for a technical engagement aimed at reviewing progress and strengthening collaboration on ongoing peace-building initiatives in The Gambia.

Ambassador Yabou welcomed the delegation and highlighted the PBC/PBF’s critical role in supporting The Gambia’s democratic transition, especially, the transitional justice process, including the establishment of the TRRC, Constitutional Review Commission, Security Sector Reforms, Legal Reforms, etc.

He pointed out that, the UN Peacebuilding Commission through the PBF in 2017/2018 provided catalytic funding to The Gambia at a time when the country needed it most and continues to-date. Hence, PS Yabou convey the appreciation and gratitude of the Government and People of The Gambia to all the donors and partners of PBC/PBF and the UN Country Team for their support and partnerships.

Ambassador Yabou informed the delegation of the importance and great contributions made by PBC/PBF interventions towards the Gambia’s progress from 2017 to the present and, underscored the importance of continued partnership and further support.

Permanent Secretary Yabou concluded, by pointing out that, the new Peacebuilding interventions in The Gambia should focus more on addressing youth unemployment, irregular migration, job creation, women and youth empowerment, supporting economic growth and institutional strengthening.

The UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Karl Frederick Paul, commended the Government’s leadership and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting national peace-building priorities.

Delegation lead Ms. Bushra Hassan from the UN Peace-building Support Office outlined the purpose of the annual mission as assessing progress, identifying challenges, and exploring opportunities to expand cooperation.

Discussions covered transitional justice, youth and women’s empowerment, security sector reform, and alignment of PBF programming with national priorities. Donor representatives praised The Gambia as a model PBC/PBF beneficiary country while encouraging stronger monitoring and inclusive approaches.

Both parties agreed to enhance coordination, share updated program briefs, hold technical follow-up meetings, and conduct field visits during the mission.

The meeting concluded with renewed commitment from both the Government and the UN to deepen collaboration and sustain The Gambia’s peace-building gains.