(JollofNews) – President Adama Barrow of the Gambia has delivered his speech at the 2017 UN General Assembly in New York.
Contributing to the debates, President Barrow emphasised the need for preventive diplomacy as experienced in The Gambia.
He noted the positive impact of solidarity among stakeholders in the realisation of peace and in pursuit of democracy, promotion of human rights and respect for the rule of law. His statement called for collective efforts to instill good governance in The Gambia.
The President said economic challenges pose threat to human rights and democracy, contributing to high unemployment among the youth. President Barrow recognised the contribution of Gambians in the Diaspora in putting the country on a democratic path.
He pointed out that the priorities outlined in the National Development Plan will bring economic growth in a transformative manner. The negative impact of climate change in rural areas, contributing to youth illegal migration was highlighted. It stated that such frustrations lured the youth into terrorism, crime and drug abuse.
On foreign policy, Mr Barrow acknowledged the enormous contributions of ECOWAS, regional and international organisations and institutions in bringing peace toThe Gambia.
He said The Gambia promotes good and friendly neighbourliness; and takes a win-win approach in its relationship with nations of the world.
“The Gambia expressed support to the one-China policy and the two-state policy to address the Israeli Palestinian conflict. More endowed countries and the UN were urged to end conflicts, terrorism, organised crimes and religious intolerance in Africa, the middle East and around the world,” he added.
President Barrow urged world leaders to address indifferences and injustices by addressing the imbalances between the North and South. “The Gambia also supports the UN reform programme to include African representation on the UN Security Council,” he said.
President Barrow concluded by calling for justice, peace, love, care and tolerance of diversity.
Watch the President’s full speech below….
Congratulations to our president. I find the presentation encouraging, concise, direct and unpretentious. Welcome Mr Barrow’s to the world stage, we are proud of you. Well done.
God Bless The Gambia.
Competent : That must have been daunting in front of the world audience; He didn’t let The Gambia down. Workmanlike.Yes indeed Congratulations.
One Speech does not Make a Man or a Country. However, Mr. President, You have made this Gambian Proud of you and more Significantly the Gambia.
Your Speech at the UN may be a game changer for you, if not for the whole of Gambia’s perception in the International community. It all may depend on how it is followed up by all Gambian Stakeholders. This was a Speech that he has to deliver in a manner consistent with diginity, skill and setting up an Agenda and Mission of the Gambia and the Government. In my Opinion, you did not fail. The Speech was measured, balanced and touched on the areas of concern for the International community and Partners. The task and or work is Developing, Transforming and Transfering the Wish and Check lists in the Speech into a Practical, Sustainable and Operational National Policy that would make a difference in the Gambians’ daily lives. The President’s Advisers, the Cabinet, the NAMS and the Judiciary Branch need to be involved in the Development, Transformation and Codification of the Salient Agenda into an Operational National Mission of the Gambia for a Meaningful Socio-economic and Infrastructural development. For such an Endeavor to be of a Sustainable and Transforming Impact in and among Gambians’ lives, the Public and Private Sectors must be involved and work in Tandem. The Population needs be Co-opted, not in a cynical attempt of Subterfuge but one of a Broad Based Mass Movement of Unity Under One Destiny for the Development of the Gambia, its People and Regions. Gambia is More than the Sum Total of One Ethnic Group or Region.
Good speech and well delivered. As the new kid on the block, I will not hold him responsible for the weak representation of the African Continent. Congrats President Barrow.
For the Yankees, though, looks like X-Mass came a bit too soon, as Santa Claus took to stage to deliver his maiden speech before the General Assembly, in their name. What a shame that such an august body, created to protect humanity from the scourges of war and conflict, would be used to threaten genocide and mass murder.
What an irony, too, that the representative of the record holding nation for violating UN Security Council and General Assembly Resolutions, Netanyahu, would repeat his usual comical performance and almost predictably, regurgitate his hateful propaganda against Iran and that country’s determination to be an independent country, and audaciously demand that the world compel Iran into compliance of total subjugation before the empire. Seriously, the world can do without such insensitive, arrogant, brainless and senseless leadership.
I thought the President of Iran responded very well and quite measuredly, to the hateful, contemptuous and disrespectful speeches of the two clowns against his country.
I have noted that President Macron of France left no one in doubt, as to his country’s position on the Joint Nuclear Deal with Iran. The world need to stand with Iran and make it clear that the US will face serious consequences if fails to honour the agreement.
I would have wanted to see statesmen delivering strong, powerful messages at the General Assembly to the effect that the actions of the US Government, to unilaterally place sanctions on sovereign states, is a violation of International Law and an act of war that cannot be tolerated any longer. We are sleep walking into global catastrophe by weak leadership around the world. How can the rest of the world watch the reckless actions of these madmen in Washington, particularly when directed against powerful states, like Russia and China? How much longer can this go on before someone sees red and reacts?
I think commercially Trump has no equal. But diplomatically, he flounders like a beached whale.
It was so lovely just to here his voice. Bless You too Adama Barrow