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  𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬, 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧, 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. 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, The Gambia has cherished its membership in the Commonwealth since rejoining eight years ago. In that time, we have benefitted immensely from the Commonwealth’s 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 Commonwealth’s collective vision. Like the Secretariat’s 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. 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, As we reflect on the challenges confronting the international system, the Commonwealth’s 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. 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 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. 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 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.” 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.  

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟏𝟏 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Hon. Sering Modou Njie, today received copies of Letters of Credence from H.E. Mr. Akamatsu Takeshi, Ambassador of Japan, and H.E. Mr. Mamadou Haïdara, Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire, accredited to The Gambia. Minister Njie welcomed both envoys and highlighted The Gambia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. He commended Japan’s longstanding support in agriculture, fisheries, education, and infrastructure, and encouraged further cooperation in youth skills development, technology transfer, and capacity building. He also recalled the outcomes of the recent TICAD summit in Japan as a framework for deepening partnerships. In his meeting with Ambassador Haïdara, the Minister emphasized the importance of fostering cooperation with Côte d’Ivoire in trade, regional integration, and cultural exchange. Both Ambassadors expressed their commitment to strengthening ties of friendship and cooperation with The Gambia.

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: On the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia, Hon. Sering Modou Njie, held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of South Sudan, Hon. Ambassador Monday Semaya K. Kumba. The discussions centered on strengthening diplomatic ties and enhancing cooperation between the two countries. Both Ministers emphasized the importance of closer collaboration between their respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs, including through high-level visits and capacity-building initiatives such as training opportunities for junior diplomats. The meeting also highlighted the potential for cooperation in strategic sectors, particularly oil and mineral resources. The meeting was attended by Ms. Fatou Kinneh Jobe, Permanent Secretary II of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Gambia, and H.E. Ambassador Victoria Samuel Aru, Ambassador of the Republic of South Sudan to Japan.

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: The Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, His Excellency Sering Modou Njie, held a meeting with Mr. ANDO Naoki, Senior Vice President for Africa at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), on the margins of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-9) in Yokohama, Japan. The Foreign Minister of The Gambia commended the excellent bilateral relations between the Government of the Republic of The Gambia and the Government of Japan relations firmly anchored on mutual benefit, trust, and shared values. He expressed profound gratitude to the Government of Japan for its support to the fisheries sector, provision of safe drinking water, scholarships, and assistance to the agriculture sector. The Honourable Minister further reaffirmed the Government of The Gambia’s readiness to deepen and broaden bilateral cooperation with Japan to cover other priority areas. For his part, Mr. ANDO Naoki welcomed the Honourable Minister to Japan and expressed his appreciation for the longstanding partnership between the two countries. He underscored JICA’s significant contributions to the fisheries and agriculture sectors and reaffirmed JICA’s commitment to supporting these vital sectors. Mr. ANDO Naoki further concurred with the Honourable Minister on the importance of deepening, expanding, and diversifying bilateral cooperation into other priority areas. JICA will be embarking on studies to rehabilitate three fish markets, namely Gunjur, Tanji, and Brikama. This further demonstrates Japan’s resolve to combat food insecurity in The Gambia, contributing to human development through the promotion of sustainable development.