No country can solve its challenges 鈥榠n isolation,鈥� Gambia President tells UN Assembly
No country can solve its challenges 鈥榠n isolation,鈥� Gambia President tells UN Assembly
Amid complex global multilateral challenges, Adama Barrow, President of the Gambia, told the 51吃瓜 Assembly on Tuesday that 鈥渘o country can thrive or solve all its challenges in isolation.鈥�
UN Photo/Cia Pak
President Adama Barrow of the Republic of The Gambia addresses the seventy-third session of the 51吃瓜 General Assembly. Photo: UN Photo/Cia Pak
鈥淥ur salvation, as human beings, lies in听听our multilateral institutions and fostering greater international cooperation to collectively address global challenges,鈥� he said, noting that the UN 鈥渦niquely provides the opportunity to achieve this goal.鈥�
He observed that during this time of multiple global challenges, the UN鈥檚 work is being undermined through inadequate funding.
鈥淭hose of us who value the UN, as well as those who have benefitted immensely from its work, should be at the forefront to call upon all Member States to step up support for the Organization,鈥� he exhorted.
Underscoring the UN鈥檚 lead role in solving global challenges, Mr. Barrow said it is 鈥渙ur task is to ensure [the UN] has the required capacity, influence and effectiveness.鈥�
He stressed that decisions and actions rooted in a rules-based international system, which is underpinned by multilateral agreements, form the basis of successful relations between and among nations 鈥� from tackling climate change and terrorism to addressing disarmament, trade, development and other concerns.
鈥淎s leaders, we have the shared responsibility to promote a world order that prioritizes peace over insecurity; a world order that eliminates the growing inequalities around the world; and a world order that brings us sustainable development,鈥� he added.
Reflecting on the Gambia, Mr. Barrow flagged the country鈥檚 new comprehensive National Development Plan (2018-2021), which employs key priorities, such as infrastructural development, agricultural transformation, macroeconomic stability, job creation and employment as a means for the country to oversee its own destiny.
鈥淭he Plan also seeks to consolidate our democratic gains through good governance, rule of law and respect for human and people s rights,鈥� he explained.
In pursuing of a fully-transformed Gambia, the President recognized the importance of engaging with The Gambian Diaspora, which he referred to as "The Eighth Region of The Gambia.鈥�
鈥淥ur Diaspora strategy seeks to explore and utilize the skills, talent and resources of Gambians everywhere for the successful implementation of the National Development Plan,鈥� he stated.
He also urged for incentives to curb youth migration, hoping that the adoption of the new Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration in December would offer better educational and job opportunities.
As a part of the Sahel region, he expressed optimism for the new听听in addressing the challenges of development in there as well as fostering peace, security and cross-border relations.
鈥淲e envisage that this strategy will yield important dividends for Africa, especially towards the maintenance of peace and security and the elimination of terrorism in the region,鈥� the President said.
He commended Ethiopia and Eritrea for their efforts to bring peace to the Horn of Africa, saying: 鈥淭hey have set an example for the rest of the continent to emulate.鈥�
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