Honourable Prime Ministers/Ministers from Member States
Special Representative of The United Nations Secretary General
Special Representative of The African Union Commission
Distinguished Delegates
All Protocols Duly Observed
On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of The Gambia, I bring warm greetingsand express our sincere appreciation to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the African Union Commission, and the host country, the Republic of Namibia, for their efforts in organizing the ninth Africa regional platform meeting.
The Gambia recognizes the importance of this platform in promoting global technical and policy engagements which enhances preparedness and disaster risk mitigating efforts. The adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 - 2030 has helped in guiding policy formulation and the implementation of strategies to reduce disaster risk, and its impact.
The Gambia's current Recovery-focused National Development Plan (2023-2027) includes disaster risk reduction (DRR) mechanisms to address policy and technical gaps and making sure that DRR plans are all-inclusive at all levels.
The adoption and implementation of the National Disaster Risk Management Policy and the National Disaster Management Strategy Plan 2024-2032 is a clear testimony of The Gambia government's effort in mitigating Disaster. This policy and strategy align with the goals of the Sendai Framework and emphases to mainstream DRR in all sectors such as agriculture, health, education, climate change, land use and infrastructure development.
Despite the economic challenges and the limited external support, government has increased budget allocations to DRR programs to support local awareness, preparedness and participation in the country's resilient building plans.
Guided by the Sendia framework, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has established multi-sectoral platforms at both national and regional levels to improve coordination and stakeholder engagement among government ministries, civil society organizations, the private sector, and international development partners. This collaborative mechanism has helped enhanced access to disaster risks information and implement of DRR programs.
In collaboration with international organisations, including the UN System, The Gambia government has improved on its meteorological and hydrological forecasting capacities and information sharing. This has enhanced the receiving of timely and more accurate early warning information (EWI) on potential disasters, contributing significantly to disaster mitigation efforts.
In line with the Sendai Framework's second priority, The Gambia is also using Geographic information systems (GIS) and other modern technologies to map hazard-prone areas with the aim to strengthening disaster risk information governance.
On capacity building efforts, the NDMA, in partnership with various development partners, has trained sellected local officials, and communities and organised public awareness campaigns on disaster preparedness and response strategies to promote sustainable behavioural change. The impact of this is seen in the increased level of community participation in disaster preparedness activities such as the cleaning of drainages and roads before the start of rains.
Community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM) approaches have been a key success in The Gambia, particularly in rural areas that are highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters. Women and youth have been particularly involved in DRR initiatives and helpful during response activities.
The Gambia is committed to transparency and accountability demonstrated by its participation and regular reporting in line with the Sendai framework.
While The Gambia has made considerable progress, there is still much work to be done to meet the goals of the Sendai Framework by 2030 such as:
- Scaling Up Financial Resources: One of the main challenges to DRR implementation plan in The Gambia is the limited financial resources. Having other pressing national developing needs, local budget to DRR is usually not adequate and access to international funding is also challenging. Therefore, The Gambia will work on mechanisms to facilitate public-private partnerships and further strengthen international collaboration to access more donor support.
- Improving Risk Governance: Although DRR has improved greatly, more work is needed to strengthening legislation and policies related to land use planning, environmental management, and infrastructure development. In line with this plan, government is working to have its first land and climate change policies supported by World Bank.
- Enhancing Early Warning Systems and Technology: The need to use more advanced technology is required to enhance data collection, accuracy, monitoring and reporting system. Expanding coverage of EWS tailored to local needs, will improve DRR preparedness and response activities.
- Building Resilient Infrastructure: Although The Gambia already has a law that mandates the performance of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on all major infrastructure projects, DRR Infrastructure development is capital intensive and requires advance technologies. Both technical and financial support is required for The Gambia to implement its infrastructural development needs such as housing, roads, water management, and transportation that will be in line with the SDGs, the Sendai framework and the Africa 2063 agenda.
- Strengthening Regional Cooperation: Keeping strong regional and international partnership at both bilaterial and multilateral levels is continuously important for the sharing of ideas, experience and resources. The maintenance of peace and strong democracy is an important ingredient to this; thus, the government of The Gambia has a strong political will to support and maintain peace and strong democratic institutions. The Gambia will continue to leverage and support policies that will strengthen regional and international cooperations aimed to reducing disaster risks and ensuring a safer and more resilient future for all people.
In conclusion, I would like to thank the Government and People of Namibia for the warm welcome and hospitality according to me and the entire Gambia delegation.
I am confident that the collaborative endeavours undertaken during this event will strengthen support and efforts in achieving the objectives and targets outlined in the Sendai Framework and Africa's agenda 2062.
I THANK YOU ALL.