๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ฑ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ฌ, ๐๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ, ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฌ๐ก๐๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ, ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง, It is indeed a great honour to address you today at my first Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting. This occasion is made even more significant as it also marks the first CFAMM for our new Secretary-General. Allow me, therefore, to extend, on behalf of The Gambia, our warm congratulations to Her Excellency, Honourable Shirley Botchwey, on her assumption of this important office. We wish her every success in this new chapter of leadership, and we look forward to working closely with her as she advances her vision for our Commonwealth family. ๐๐ฑ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ฌ, ๐๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ, The Gambia has cherished its membership in the Commonwealth since rejoining eight years ago. In that time, we have benefitted immensely from the Commonwealthโs technical assistance, particularly in: Strengthening our democracy and governance institutions. Supporting the implementation of the Commonwealth Cyber Declaration. Advancing sustainable development. Effective use of the Meridian Debt Management System. Developing a comprehensive youth policy document. Promoting trade and investment opportunities. These contributions have been invaluable in reinforcing our national development agenda and deepening our integration within the broader Commonwealth community. Looking ahead, The Gambia remains firmly committed to the Commonwealthโs collective vision. Like the Secretariatโs new vision, energy transition is a national and regional priority for The Gambia. Equally, we recognise the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI). We are taking deliberate steps to embed responsible AI into our governance structures, ensuring that it enhances transparency, efficiency, and accountability. In this regard, we will require continued technical support and capacity-building from the Commonwealth and its partners to ensure that our people fully benefit from these emerging opportunities. ๐๐ฑ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ฌ, ๐๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ, As we reflect on the challenges confronting the international system, the Commonwealthโs collective voice must be heard and echoed more strongly in global debates. In an era marked by turbulence, uncertainty, and shifting geopolitical dynamics, our shared values of democracy, inclusivity, and cooperation must serve as a beacon. The Commonwealth, representing over 2.5 billion people across diverse regions, is uniquely positioned to influence global policy in ways that reflect fairness, justice, and the aspirations of our peoples. At the same time, we cannot ignore the existential environmental challenges that threaten many of our member states, particularly low-income countries and small island and Pacific nations. Rising sea levels, climate-induced displacement, and environmental degradation demand urgent and collective action. The Gambia strongly believes the Commonwealth must continue to prioritise climate resilience, sustainable financing, and innovative solutions that help the most vulnerable among us adapt and thrive. ๐๐ฑ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ฌ, ๐๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ, As we consider the future of our organisation, The Gambia firmly believes that staff retention at the Secretariat is vital to sustaining its effectiveness. Retaining skilled and experienced personnel will guarantee that the Secretariat continues to deliver on its mandate and provide quality support to member states. We therefore welcome the adoption of the new Strategic Plan, which provides a strong framework for our collective action. Finally, I wish to share that The Gambia will hold its next presidential elections in 2026. The Commonwealth Election Observation Mission to The Gambia in 2021 was extremely valuable, and the recommendations from its report were constructively implemented by the Government. We remain grateful for this support and will continue to welcome such engagement as we strengthen our democratic processes. ๐๐ฑ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ฌ, ๐๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ, In conclusion, The Gambia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Commonwealth and to active participation in shaping its future. We will continue to share our perspectives, contribute to collective decision-making, and work alongside all member states towards our shared vision of a stronger, more resilient, and more prosperous Commonwealth for all.โ Hon. Dawda A. Jallow was accompanied by Hon. Baboucarr Bouy, Minister of Civil Service Reform, and Mr. Sulayman Suntou Touray, Deputy Head of Mission in London.
