UN Resident Coordinator, UNICEF Resident Representative, Government Representative, and Members of the Newly Formed Group
By Fatou Sillah
The United Nations in The Gambia has launched the Adolescent and Youth Advisory Group (AYAG), a platform aimed at amplifying the voices of young people in policy and program development. The official launch took place on Saturday at the UN House in Bakau.
The AYAG will serve as an advisory body to the UN Country Team, ensuring that the perspectives and priorities of adolescents and young people are integrated into UN policies and programs. This initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Framework for The Gambia (2024-2028), which seeks to enhance youth participation in decision-making processes.
The group comprises 20 young individuals from diverse backgrounds across the country, selected through a rigorous process to ensure broad representation.
Speaking at the launch, Karl Frederick Paul, the UN Resident Coordinator in The Gambia, emphasized the significance of youth engagement in shaping policies that impact their lives.
“This advisory group that you constitute right now, is very important and it’s a groundbreaking partnership between the United Nations and the Gambian youth because it brings 20 diverse young leaders, and you are aged between, I would say, up to 35 years old, and you have been selected in more than approximately 500 candidates for this,” he said.
Dr. Mariam John, speaking on behalf of the Deputy Chief of Staff, expressed the government’s appreciation for the initiative. She encouraged members of the advisory group to provide honest feedback and hold the UN accountable for its commitments to youth development.
“You hold the UN accountable, but you are also accountable for yourselves because you are representing all the voices of the young people in the Gambia, And you are also looking forward to a positive outcome, You represent social cohesion.”
UNICEF Country Representative to The Gambia, Nafisa Binte Shafique, acknowledged the country’s large and dynamic youth population, highlighting their determination and passion for driving positive change. She urged AYAG members to embrace their roles and actively contribute to shaping the nation’s future.
Representing the newly formed advisory group, Fatima Gomez expressed gratitude to the UN for creating a platform where young voices can influence development policies.
The advisory group will provide insights on critical issues affecting young people, including employment, education, entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability, climate change, peace and security, digital transformation, gender and social inclusion, and health. Through this engagement, AYAG aims to ensure that UN programs effectively address the challenges and opportunities facing youth while fostering accountability in youth development efforts.