Salutations

Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly,

Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie 

The Speaker of the National Youth Parliament,

The Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to The Gambia,

The Country Representative of UNFPA,

Representatives of government institutions, civil society, and development partners,

Members of the 10th National Youth Parliament,

Members of the media,

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning.

1. It is an honour to join you for the inaugural session of the 10th Youth Parliament. Today is more than a ceremony; it is a call to continue to transform youthful energy, conviction, and lived experience into concrete policies and tangible change for the nation’s development agenda. The theme “Civic engagement: a tool for youth participation in decision-making, transparency and accountability” captures precisely what this moment demands: that young people’s voices influence decisions and actions that shape the nation’s future.

2. The commitments you make here are part of a larger global and national vision. The Pact for the Future calls for institutions that uphold intergenerational equity, participation, and accountability, values that lie at the heart of democratic renewal. The UNDP Strategic Plan 2026–2029 translates these principles into action, focusing on governance, resilience, equality, and climate justice as the foundations for a more sustainable and inclusive world. It also reaffirms our collective responsibility to break barriers to participation, including those rooted in gender inequality, and to ensure that young women have equal voice and influence in shaping policies and decisions that affect their lives.

3. Over the years, UNDP has remained a steadfast partner to the National Youth Parliament, providing technical and financial support to facilitate its annual sittings as part of our broader commitment to democratic governance, peacebuilding, and youth empowerment. Working closely with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Youth Council, the Ministry of Higher Education, the University of The Gambia, the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET), and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources and other partners, we continue to invest in strengthening youth leadership, advancing gender equality, and deepening civic participation within our governance and peacebuilding, inclusive growth and environment and resilience support portfolios and programmes. The Youth Parliament stands as an integral part of The Gambia’s democratic fabric, a bridge between youth aspirations and institutional reform and a testament to our shared conviction that young people are essential to building an inclusive, accountable, and equitable society representing 77% of the population, with 40.8% below the age of 15. 

4. This Parliament’s work directly aligns with The Gambia’s Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (2023–2027), which lays out a pathway for inclusive growth, accountable governance, and social protection. When young parliamentarians advance proposals on transparency, jobs, education, and inclusion, you strengthen these pillars. Your deliberations also drive progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063, which remain our shared framework for eradicating poverty, advancing equality, and promoting peaceful, just, and strong institutions.

    

    

5. Evidence must continue to inform your work. The 2024 Conflict and Development Analysis (CDA) and the 2025-2030 National Action Plan for Youth Peace and Security remind us that exclusion, unemployment, and weak governance remain key drivers of fragility and economic vulnerabilities. By prioritizing policies that expand opportunities, strengthen civic participation, and make institutions more transparent and inclusive, particularly for young women and marginalized groups, the Youth Parliament becomes not only a voice of advocacy but an instrument of prevention and social transformation.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

6. Youth engagement must move beyond rhetoric. This Parliament should continue to be a space where leadership is diverse, inclusive, and accountable to the public it represents. It should drive action that translates ideals into measurable progress that can be seen in the daily lives of young people across the country, from rural villages to urban communities.

7. We know we are going through difficult times for financing for development. With five years left to 2030, we are at a cross-roads with financing for development, investments at scale and transformation to make a meaningful impact on peoples lives to leave no-one behind – starting with the furthest. There’s no lack of global capital, but it’s misaligned and inaccessible. The 4th Financing for Development Conference in Seville was a pivotal opportunity to bridge the $4.3 trillion SDG financing gap by aligning global capital - $450 + trillion available with development needs. What does this mean for The Gambia? How are limited public resources being utilised to unlock other opportunities for derisking and financing the YIRIWA Programme through private public partnerships, creating jobs and opportunities for entrepreneurship in The Gambia? There are tough times ahead, but your conviction, your energy, your thirst for knowledge and commitment to thrive – is a mighty force to catapult The Gambia to greater heights in its development journey. 

    

8. To the outgoing members, we extend deep appreciation for your service and the standards you have set. To the newly elected Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and every member of this 10th Youth Parliament, you inherit a credible platform and a proud legacy of influence. The Youth Parliament has shaped national discourse, informed legislation, and strengthened public accountability. This legacy is not a burden; it is an invitation to reach higher and act bolder for this great nation.

9. In closing, I urge you to lead with clarity, conviction and courage. Anchor your deliberations in evidence, connect your proposals to national and global priorities, and remain steadfast in advancing equality and inclusion. And remember, young people, women and men alike, are not a problem to be solved; you are leaders shaping the future of this nation.

10. UNDP stands ready as a steadfast partner, convener, and supporter. We commit to working with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Youth Parliament, the National Youth Council, and all partners to advance a youth agenda that is inclusive, evidence-driven, and gender-responsive. Together with government, civil society, and the communities you serve, we will ensure that the resolutions emerging from this Parliament translate into meaningful, lasting impact for all young people.

11. Congratulations on the inauguration of the 10th National Youth Parliament. May your debates be rigorous, your actions bold, and your impact enduring.

Thank you.

Abarakah. Jerejeff. Jaramah.