The Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad Dr. Mamadou Tangara on Sunday, 27 March 2022 participated in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa.
The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting was held virtually on 26 and 27 March 2022 in preparation for TICAD 8 which will be held on August 27 and 28, 2022. The meeting was chaired by the Japanese Foreign Minister.
The two sides also expressed commitment to cement the already existing bilateral relations and shared the view that Gambia and Japan will continue to work closely together to tackle various challenges that Africa and the international community are facing.
The virtual meeting was also attended by the Ministry’s Asia & Oceanic Affairs Directorate Director, Mrs. Fatou Njie-Hydara and Counsellor, Mrs Mariam Khan-Jallow.
Below is the statement delivered by the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs during the meeting:
Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honor and pleasure to participate in this Ministerial Meeting of TICAD and to contribute to a very important theme, which essentially speaks to the Health Development – and Human Security nexus.
As we are all regrettably aware, the prolonged existence of the global COVID- 19 pandemic has resulted in multifaceted negative impacts not only in all the sectors of our economies; but additionally, COVID-19 has revealed deep structural vulnerabilities that renders highly significant, today’s theme on “Building sustainable peace and stability through supporting Africa’s own efforts”.
By the same token, it evident that climate change, power imbalances, sexual-and gender based violence (SGBV), growing inequality, unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, population growth, rapid urbanization, depleted eco-systems, and other humanitarian crisis caused by natural hazards and conflicts pose a major threat to sustainable development and peace in Africa. Indeed, despite our collective best efforts, the impact of such disasters and the complexity of humanitarian crises is growing; becoming increasingly recurring and protracted.
The Government of The Gambia therefore wishes to heartily congratulate the Government and People of Japan for fostering this significant platform that can contribute meaningfully to Africa’s strive to not only build forward better in a post COVID-19 era but place the continental transformation on a sustainable footing. At this junction, please allow me on behalf of His Excellency, President Adama Barrow, the Government and People of The Gambia, to thank Japan for being a strong partner in Africa’s development, and for meaningfully contributing to the social and economic development of The Gambia.
Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
As we deliberate on this all-important theme, it is worth noting that building sustainable peace, development and security in the continent will require the establishment of effective synergies between the humanitarian – development – and peace building policy makers and practitioners. Under such a scenario, and while managing the risks in our development landscape, the humanitarian actors can focus on acute or immediate needs of affected individuals and communities while development practitioners can focus on long term resilience, and the promotion of peaceful and robust communities.
In The Gambia, I am pleased to stake that with the active support of both our bilateral and multilateral partners, we are making great strides in this regard. At the institutional levels, examples worthy of mention include: (a) establishment of a functional social protection secretariat; (b) establishment of an early warning secretariat supportive of resilience and adaptation measures; (c) a COVID-19 recovery secretariat facilitating a green recovery focused national development plan for the next 5 years. In a nutshell, The Gambia is committed to strengthening the coping capacities of its citizens and residents, thus reducing the need for humanitarian interventions.
As I conclude The Gambia’s contribution to this dialogue, please allow me to advocate that success factors to promoting the humanitarian -development-peace- security nexus at the national, regional and continental levels must include:
- Identifying priorities and entry points for strengthening of normative frameworks, policies, and practice around the nexus;
- Strategic and operational partnerships to advance coherent and coordinated action around the nexus;
- Structural shifts across the development assistance system and changing how it is planned and financed; and
- Adoption of a more coherent approach which addresses humanitarian needs while simultaneously investing on addressing the systemic causes of conflict and vulnerability.
Although not conclusive, it is our considered opinion that these will greatly contribute to the reduction of shocks and stresses, while supporting the peace that is essential for development to be sustainable.
Thank you.
Source: MoFA press release