President Adama Barrow and visiting OIC assessment team Assistant Secretary General of Political Affairs, H.E, Ambassador Yousef Al-Dobeay
State House, Banjul, 11th July 2023
President Adama Barrow has assured the high-level visiting OIC assessment team led by Assistant Secretary General of Political Affairs, H.E, Ambassador Yousef Al-Dobeay that The Gambia is prepared to host the next summit scheduled for December 2023 during a courtesy call at the statehouse in Banjul, Tuesday morning.
“All indications are that The Gambia is ready to host the Summit and will prove that though a small country, it can host successful meetings,” President Barrow told the team.
The President expressed the political will and his government’s commitment to taking all necessary measures to host the Ummah. He added hosting the summit would be historic and a legacy for his government.
President Barrow used the opportunity to thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and all the partners for their support, which he said, manifests the ‘trust and confidence the Ummah has in The Gambia.’
OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Al-Dobeay, said he has been visiting The Gambia for the past four years and has recorded progress. He informed President Barrow that the OIC is keen on The Gambia hosting the meeting. At the same time, he reiterated the current Chair, King Salman’s desire to transfer the Chairpersonship to The Gambia.
Accompanied by the Gambian Ambassador to Riyadh, H.E Omar G. Sallah and the OIC Gambia team under its Chief Executive Officer, Yankuba Dibba, would tour the ongoing OIC projects, assess the progress and hold discussions with the technical teams.