National News

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟏𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: The Republic of The Gambia is actively engaging in the third Intergovernmental Expert Group Meeting on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Programme of Action (POA) 2026 to 2035, which commenced today at the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and is expected to last until 20th November 2025. Ms. Fatou Kinneh Jobe, Permanent Secretary II of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, led the Gambian delegation, alongside other senior government officials. In her remarks, PS Jobe commended the OIC General Secretariat and Member States for developing an ambitious and comprehensive plan for the next 10 years. “The Draft Programme of Action embodies our collective hopes for peace, justice, prosperity, and solidarity throughout the Muslim Ummah,” stated PS Jobe. “It covers key issues including Palestine, peace and security, efforts to combat Islamophobia, human rights, socio-economic development, and institutional reform.” The Permanent Secretary also welcomed the POA’s focus on poverty reduction, trade, health, education, youth and women’s empowerment, and climate resilience, noting that these are crucial for a stable and prosperous Ummah. To enhance the impact and ensure the successful implementation of the POA, The Gambia proposed key recommendations: establishing transparent implementation mechanisms, strengthening support for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and improving coordination among OIC institutions. The meeting brought together experts and senior officials from OIC Member States to finalise the draft Programme of Action, which is expected to guide the OIC development agenda for the period 2026 to 2035.

📍𝐃𝐨𝐡𝐚, 𝐐𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐫 | 𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 The Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, H.E. Sering Modou Njie, delivered The Gambia’s national statement at the Second World Summit for Social Development held in Doha, Qatar, from 4th to 6th November 2025. Speaking on behalf of His Excellency President Adama Barrow and the people of The Gambia, Minister Njie expressed heartfelt appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, and to the Government and people of Qatar for their warm hospitality and excellent arrangements. In his statement, the Hon. Minister highlighted the urgent need for renewed multilateral cooperation amid global uncertainties marked by conflicts, climate crises, and widening inequalities. He emphasized that strengthening global solidarity and shared responsibility is essential to address poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion. “We must forge a new global consensus that unites us behind inclusive and sustainable development one rooted in equity, accountability, and shared prosperity,” Minister Njie stated. The Minister reaffirmed The Gambia’s dedication to social development, democratic governance, and inclusive economic growth, with a focus on empowering women and youth, eradicating poverty, and promoting enduring peace. He also welcomed the Doha Political Declaration and the Sevilla Commitment on Financing for Development, calling for reforms to the global financial architecture, increased climate financing, and meaningful debt relief to help Least Developed Countries (LDCs) achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. #𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 🇶🇦🇬🇲

📍𝐃𝐨𝐡𝐚, 𝐐𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐫 | 𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 On the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development, the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, H.E. Sering Modou Njie, delivered a statement during a Roundtable Discussion on Strengthening the Pillars of Social Development: Poverty Eradication, Full and Productive Employment and Decent Work for All, and Social Inclusion. In his address, Minister Njie underscored the urgent need for collective global action to tackle poverty, unemployment, and inequality, which continue to impede sustainable socio-economic progress worldwide. He highlighted The Gambia’s commitment to integrated and inclusive policy solutions anchored in equality, social justice, and solidarity emphasizing the importance of decent work, particularly for youth and women, as well as resilience-building and inclusive growth. FM Njie further called for a comprehensive review of the international financial architecture, the adoption of a fair and universal tax convention, and renewed efforts to expand open market access, enhance production capacity, and mitigate the impact of climate change. “Our progress as a global community will remain incomplete unless we address these injustices at their roots,” he stated. “Let us keep the momentum, honor our promises, and work collectively to build a world where dignity, equity, and opportunity are a reality for all.” The Minister reaffirmed The Gambia’s unwavering dedication to multilateral cooperation, in line with the Copenhagen and Doha Declarations, to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. #SocialSummit2025 🇶🇦🇬🇲