Gambian President calls for collective responsibility and participatory inclusion

teleSUR English

Speech by Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of the Gambia, at the 79th Session of the UNGA. teleSUR

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00:00President of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly,

00:27To the General, Mr. Antonio Guterres,

00:32Your Majesties and Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,

00:40Heads of Delegation, Distinguished Delegates,

00:47Ladies and Gentlemen,

00:51It is an honor for the Gambia to participate in the 79th Session

00:56of the United Nations General Assembly and to engage in meaningful dialogue

01:05with global leaders and partners on the vision of shaping a more prosperous future for humankind.

01:16Your Excellency, Mr. President, allow me to express my heartfelt congratulations to you

01:25on your assuming the role of President for the 79th Session.

01:34I similarly wish to register sincere gratitude to His Excellency, Ambassador Dennis Francis,

01:44for his exemplary leadership and accomplishments during the 78th Session.

01:53Mr. President, As we undertake to chart the future we envision,

02:02we welcome the initiative presented by Secretary General Guterres

02:08at the Summit of the Future under the theme

02:14Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow.

02:21My delegation firmly believes that the path to a better tomorrow lies in multilateralism

02:30and closer international cooperation.

02:36To our collective responsibility and inclusive participation,

02:43we can decisively confront and overcome our challenges and bottlenecks.

02:53The High-Level Summit of the Future has determined that human actions

02:59are largely responsible for the challenges we face today.

03:06Therefore, it is within our power to ably address the disasters

03:13that continuously trouble our nations.

03:18To succeed, however, the international community must recommit to implementing

03:26the resolutions of the Summit of the Future

03:30that tackle such critical global challenges as climate change, poverty,

03:39transitional crimes, and conflict.

03:45These incidents underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms

03:51within the United Nations system, particularly the UN Security Council

03:58and international financial institutions.

04:03We must equally strive for a more representative, just and inclusive United Nations

04:12to save the world we so dearly want.

04:18Mr. President, The Gambia's perspective on the theme

04:25of leaving no one behind, acting together for the advancement of peace,

04:33sustainable development, and human dignity for present and future generations,

04:42aligns closely with the principles and aspirations of Agenda 2030

04:49for sustainable development.

04:53In accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter,

04:58the theme serves as a crucial reminder to the international community

05:04of the need for solidarity and renewed commitment.

05:12With specific reference to the Gambia,

05:16the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs,

05:20is central to our national agenda.

05:24And we are committed to ensuring that our development efforts

05:28are both sustainable and impactful.

05:33Like many least developed countries, LDCs,

05:39the Gambia faces huge challenges that pose serious threats to our survival as a nation,

05:47thus requiring collective international efforts to resolve.

05:53Consequently, the global community needs to assist the least developed countries,

06:00especially to address the burden of inequality,

06:05build more robust economies, and create policy space for economic growth,

06:13To tackle the debt burden and internal state weaknesses,

06:18we need to increase investment in capacity building.

06:24Also, we must jointly endeavor to bridge the digital divide

06:30and support technology transfer to advance development.

06:36Mr. President, we live in a world with widening inequalities.

06:42Thus, suppressing the weak and making the conditions of the poor worse

06:49grossly violates the express ideals and spirit of the Summit of the Future.

06:57The Gambia is fully committed to the global call for gender equality

07:03and recognizes the indispensable role women play in socioeconomic development.

07:11We firmly believe that empowering women translates into community empowerment

07:18and ultimately inclusive development.

07:24For these reasons, my government places great emphasis on women's rights,

07:31and we are dedicated to protecting and empowering women.

07:37As President, I will continue to ensure that women and girls are protected

07:42and given the necessary space to contribute meaningfully

07:46to our national development agenda.

07:51On youth matters, at the recent consultative summit,

07:55stakeholders recommended a sharper focus on innovation and climate change.

08:03Gender equity, bridging the digital divide, and global governance

08:09that promotes youth empowerment through employment, education, and health.

08:17The summit's recommendations will inform and enable us to fill policies gaps

08:23and expand funding opportunities for better youth engagement.

08:31Furthermore, my government commits to aligning our national priorities

08:38with global benchmarks and in partnership with youth-led organizations and other stakeholders.

08:47We also resolve to use transformative solutions to create greater opportunities for all.

08:55Mr. President, the Gambia believes in collective international efforts to combat global challenges.

09:02Based on this, last year the Gambia joined the international community

09:08by co-sponsoring UN General Assembly Consensus Resolution 77-276,

09:15which sought to engage the International Court of Justice, ICJ,

09:20on the obligations of states regarding climate change.

09:28Last August, the Gambia submitted its written statement to the ICJ,

09:34and we look forward to participating in the oral hearings later this year in the Hague.

09:42At the national level, the Gambia remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting human rights

09:49and establishing a vibrant democratic environment.

09:54The establishment of a National Human Rights Commission

09:59and entrenchment of a free, independent and impartial judiciary

10:04provide a solid framework and a sense of security for our citizens,

10:09thus ensuring they have a place to seek redress for injustice.

10:16I am happy to report that since 2017, the Gambia has neither recorded a single political prisoner

10:24nor has any journalist or human rights activist been jailed in the Gambia.

10:37Proudly, too, in August 2024, the Gambia was recognized

10:42as one of Africa's leading defenders of freedom of expression

10:46and ranked third in Article 19's Global Expression Report 2024.

10:54We will continue striving to better our situation.

10:59Mr. President, as committed advocates of peace and security,

11:05respect for basic rights and freedoms, and the application of international law,

11:11we stand firmly against injustice, no matter where it occurs.

11:17No doubt, as a nation of peace guided by democratic principles,

11:22we have learned valuable lessons to act upon and share.

11:27With the help of the international community,

11:30we are steadily taking steps to bring closure to the saga of the victims of dictatorship in our country.

11:39So far, we have successfully managed the transitional justice and reform processes.

11:46Moving forward, we count on your support in the next critical stages

11:51of ensuring justice, reconciliation, and reparation where necessary.

11:57The Gambia will continue advocating preventive approaches to peacebuilding to avert future conflicts.

12:06Once again, I take this opportunity to express our appreciation

12:10of all the support the UN Peacebuilding Commission has been extending to us.

12:16Mr. President, the ongoing conflicts in Palestine, Sudan, the Sahel, Ukraine and Russia,

12:25the Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya, and other conflict zones

12:31demand the international community's immediate intervention.

12:36We must explore all diplomatic means to restore lasting peace worldwide

12:42and free all innocent people, particularly women and children, from the calamities of war.

12:51We call on the international community to prioritize support for the post-conflict reconstruction of Gaza

12:58and the improvement of economic conditions in the West Bank.

13:02Even though the situation in that region is extremely serious,

13:07the intense destruction of lives and property continues.

13:12The Israel occupation, expansion of settlements, blockade of Gaza, and restrictions in the West Bank,

13:20together with the threat of intensifying the war to a regional conflict,

13:25continue to worsen the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

13:30Accordingly, I call on the United Nations, the international community,

13:35and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, OIC member states,

13:40to join forces and urgently bring about permanent peace in Palestine.

13:46Through recognized structures, I am, as chair of the OIC, committed to stepping up efforts

13:59and exploring every possible diplomatic and peaceful channel to resolve the Middle East crisis.

14:06The OIC has been very active, and under my leadership,

14:10will continue to promote and pursue peace in that region.

14:15Our common objective is to create a situation wherein Israel and Palestine coexist in peace and security

14:22under a two-state arrangement and within the recognized pre-1967 borders.

14:28With the sustained support of the OIC, the Gambia has stood as a beacon of hope

14:37for the oppressed Rohingya Muslims of May.

14:40Despite relentless efforts over the past five years,

14:44the oppressive regime of Myanmar has intensified its oppressive campaign

14:50through forced exile and unspeakable act of violence.

14:55During my current three-year tenure as OIC chairman,

14:58my office will be available also for dialogue to bring lasting peaceful relations

15:04between Iran, its immediate neighbors, and our Western partners.

15:09Globally, we have the collective responsibility of acting speedily

15:14to peacefully address the situation in Palestine, Sudan, Ukraine, and the Sahel region.

15:22Mr. President, we commend the efforts of the Kingdom of Morocco

15:27and the viability of the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative.

15:31The initiative aligns with the principles of the UN Charter,

15:35and it provides a platform for all parties involved in the Moroccan-Sahara conflict

15:41to engage in a UN-led dialogue for a permanent, mutually agreed political solution.

15:49With regard to recognition and respect for the One China principle,

15:55we continue to stand with China.

15:57The People's Republic of China represents renewed hope

16:00for global rebalancing towards justice, peace, and development.

16:05China's generous support to its southern neighbors

16:10through its numerous development cooperation initiatives

16:14has proven usefully impactful and strategic.

16:19Mr. President, migration has ever been a fundamental aspect of human development,

16:26and it significantly contributes to the growth of both home and host countries.

16:33The international community should address migration in a regulated manner and decriminalize it.

16:40Indeed, human beings should not risk losing their lives in pursuit of a better future.

16:47In this regard, the Gambia is collaborating with relevant countries to improve the plight of migrants,

16:53although we must discourage irregular migration.

16:57We are duty-bound to respect the rights of migrants

17:00and ensure they are treated with dignity, Mr. President.

17:05We recognize that dictatorship, conflict, climate change, poverty, and lack of opportunities

17:13are part of the root causes of migration.

17:16Economic sanctions imposed on states also contribute to forced migration.

17:23The longstanding U.S. embargo against Cuba is an example.

17:28My view is that this embargo should give way to renewed good neighborliness

17:34and cooperative relations between the two nations.

17:38The international community should address inequality and compassion

17:43and fulfill the commitment to the Official Development Assistance Pledge made by donor countries.

17:50As regards the original countries of migrants,

17:54we must uphold the ideals and principles of democracy, good governance,

17:59and wise resource management approaches, Mr. President.

18:04In conclusion, the international community must prioritize diplomacy, dialogue,

18:09mutual understanding as we confront challenges of global concern.

18:14I also urge the private sector to collaborate with our governments

18:18in taking concrete actions towards our common goals.

18:23Simple yet impactful steps like supporting local initiatives,

18:28promoting inclusive policies, and engaging in global partnerships

18:33can make a significant difference in the world order.

18:37Despite the challenges we face, there is immense potential for positive change

18:42through collective endeavors.

18:45Let us embrace a message of hope, resilience, and optimism for the future.

18:51Together we can create a world where peace, sustainable development, and human dignity

18:57are not mere dreams but a reality for all.

19:00I thank you for your kind attention.

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