Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Ambassadorial-level Meeting on The Gambia
2020/11/23
Minister Tangara, Minister Jallow, SRSG Chambas and other distinguished briefers, thank you very much for your informative and comprehensive briefings.
We are encouraged to hear that The Gambia continues to advance its reform efforts with strong political will. We welcome the constitutional review processes. We are encouraged to hear the idea put forward by the Justice Minister regarding the extensive dialogue among the more comprehensive stakeholders. I am hoping that will bear fruits. We also commend The Gambia’s strong commitment to security sector reform and that will lead to the Security Sector Reform Strategy adoption. We really commend the efforts of the people of The Gambia and the Government of The Gambia and of course the UN system and the people working for the UN, starting from the Regional Coordinator.
We understand that the process is painstaking and requires patience. The international community, therefore, must stand by The Gambia to back their reform efforts. In this regard, the PBC has an important role to play in maintaining international attention and mobilizing support. With all of the efforts of the Government and the people of The Gambia, The Gambia is facing challenges. Our cooperation has to deliver tangible results on the ground and has to be timely. Our cooperation has to be holistic, covering the microeconomic aspects, including the debt issues, security-related assistance, assistance to livelihood of the people, and of course securing fair distribution of the vaccine. We have to do all of that collectively and individually but consistently, with harmonization from the ground. We hope the PBF will keep helping The Gambia build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions in various sectors including women and youth empowerment.
As for Japan, we stand by Gambians and continues to play its part. We are engaged in collective efforts on microeconomic issues and the fair distribution of vaccines. For years, we provided multi-sectoral support to The Gambia, and will continue to do so under the banner of our New Approach for Peace and Stability in Africa. This includes our support for IOM’s projects to enhance the border management capacities of the Gambian authorities. This year Japan has provided a bilateral grant aid of about 14.5 million USD for the water supply project in rural areas and about 2.3 million USD for food assistance.
We wish to work with other players to deliver tangible outcomes on the ground to help the efforts of the people of The Gambia.
I thank you, Mr. Chair.
We are encouraged to hear that The Gambia continues to advance its reform efforts with strong political will. We welcome the constitutional review processes. We are encouraged to hear the idea put forward by the Justice Minister regarding the extensive dialogue among the more comprehensive stakeholders. I am hoping that will bear fruits. We also commend The Gambia’s strong commitment to security sector reform and that will lead to the Security Sector Reform Strategy adoption. We really commend the efforts of the people of The Gambia and the Government of The Gambia and of course the UN system and the people working for the UN, starting from the Regional Coordinator.
We understand that the process is painstaking and requires patience. The international community, therefore, must stand by The Gambia to back their reform efforts. In this regard, the PBC has an important role to play in maintaining international attention and mobilizing support. With all of the efforts of the Government and the people of The Gambia, The Gambia is facing challenges. Our cooperation has to deliver tangible results on the ground and has to be timely. Our cooperation has to be holistic, covering the microeconomic aspects, including the debt issues, security-related assistance, assistance to livelihood of the people, and of course securing fair distribution of the vaccine. We have to do all of that collectively and individually but consistently, with harmonization from the ground. We hope the PBF will keep helping The Gambia build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions in various sectors including women and youth empowerment.
As for Japan, we stand by Gambians and continues to play its part. We are engaged in collective efforts on microeconomic issues and the fair distribution of vaccines. For years, we provided multi-sectoral support to The Gambia, and will continue to do so under the banner of our New Approach for Peace and Stability in Africa. This includes our support for IOM’s projects to enhance the border management capacities of the Gambian authorities. This year Japan has provided a bilateral grant aid of about 14.5 million USD for the water supply project in rural areas and about 2.3 million USD for food assistance.
We wish to work with other players to deliver tangible outcomes on the ground to help the efforts of the people of The Gambia.
I thank you, Mr. Chair.