Salutations

• The Executive Secretary, Alternative Dispute Resolution Secretariate, Ms Kumba Jow 

• Representative of the European Union

• Distinguished Trainers from the Clingendael Institute

• Staff of the ADRS 

• Colleagues and the Media Representatives

• Distinguish Ladies and Gentlemen 

Good morning,

1. I am honoured to join you today at the opening of this four-day training on Mediation, Negotiation, Arbitration and Conciliation, for the staff of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Secretariat (ADRS). On behalf of UNDP and our Resident Representative – Ms. Mandisa Mashologu, I extend our warmest greetings and deepest appreciation to each of you for being part of this important training and capacity development engagement. 

2. This engagement marks a significant milestone in our collective journey to enhance capacities and capabilities on access to justice and build a society where every voice is heard and every dispute finds a fair and transparent resolution.

3. The Gambia’s legal system is a rich tapestry—interweaving statutory, Islamic, and customary law. Within this framework, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Secretariat (ADRS) stands as a vital bridge, connecting formal courts, Cadi courts, and customary tribunals. ADRS offers citizens a justice pathway that is accessible, affordable, and less adversarial. As part of the EU–UNDP GREAT initiative, a 2024 capacity needs assessment identified key gaps and most importantly – opportunities in mediation and negotiation skills, institutional visibility, and resource support within ADRS. This training is a direct response to those findings, equipping ADRS staff to fulfill their statutory mandate—fostering dialogue, preventing conflict escalation, and reducing the burden on our courts towards the common goal of access to justice for all.

4. This initiative is well aligned with The Recovery Focused National Development Plan (2023–2027), particularly Strategic Priority 1, which focuses on restoring good governance, respect for human rights, the rule of law, and empowering citizens through decentralization and local governance. By strengthening ADRS staff’s capacity, we are contributing to a more responsive, inclusive, and people-centered justice system—one that especially benefits the most vulnerable and marginalized.

5. This training is not only a response to national priorities and UNDP’s strategic vision, but it is also a concrete step towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16—Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. By strengthening the capacity of ADRS staff to mediate disputes, foster dialogue, and deliver accessible justice, we are advancing SDG 16’s targets to ensure equal access to justice for all and to build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at every level. Our collective efforts here today contribute to a more peaceful, just, and resilient society for all Gambians.

6. I am proud to share that UNDP’s newly approved global Strategic Plan 2026–2029 sets an ambitious vision for the future—one that powerfully reinforces the work we are undertaking here today through four interconnected objectives - prosperity for all, effective governance, crisis resilience, and a healthy planet. Our UNDP Strategic Plan compliments and supports our engagement in the positioning of Alternative Dispute Resolution as a cornerstone of effective governance and crisis resilience - two of its four strategic objectives. It calls for a bold shift towards systems thinking, promoting integrated solutions that address the root causes of conflict and injustice, rather than isolated interventions. Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms are recognized as essential tools for expanding access to justice, strengthening local capacities for conflict prevention, and building trust within communities. This training is a direct expression of that vision: equipping ADRS staff with the skills and confidence to mediate disputes, foster social cohesion, and ensure that justice is not just a principle, but a lived reality for all Gambians.

7. Here in The Gambia, UNDP has long championed alternative dispute resolution as a key mechanism for peacebuilding, prevention and justice reform. Through initiatives like the Infrastructure for Peace Project, we helped launch the National Insider Mediators Network, training 120 mediators across all regions to facilitate dialogue and resolve disputes at the grassroots with a strong and purposeful inter-generational and gender-sensitive perspective. Our partnerships with the National Agency for Legal Aid (NALA) and ADRS have brought mobile legal aid clinics and community dialogues to underserved areas, reaching thousands—including women, children, adolescents, youth and persons with disabilities. These efforts have reduced conflict-related inquiries to local authorities, demonstrating the transformative power of ADR in de-escalating tensions and promoting social harmony and cohesion. 

8. This training, delivered by the esteemed Clingendael Institute, is grounded in evidence from assessments, desk reviews, and training needs surveys of ADRS staff to fully reflect the needs as identified by the rights holders and duty bearers within The Gambia. The Clingendael method emphasizes interactive learning—simulations, role-plays, case studies, and peer exchanges—ensuring that participants gain practical, applicable skills tailored to The Gambia’s realities.

9. Twenty-five ADRS staff—nearly half of whom are women—will strengthen their competencies in mediation, negotiation, arbitration, and conciliation. A professionally developed ADR support guide will serve as a reference for continued practice. I trust that a post-training evaluation will capture gains, lessons learned, and future priorities. Ultimately, this training will empower ADRS staff to mediate disputes with greater professionalism, neutrality, and confidence, reducing court backlogs and enhancing public trust in our justice system.

10. Let me express my heartfelt thanks to the ADRS leadership and staff for their unwavering commitment to accessible justice. I also wish to acknowledge the Clingendael Institute for bringing global expertise to The Gambia and tailoring it to our unique context. To all participants, I urge you to engage fully, share your experiences, and take ownership of these new skills. Your role is vital in shaping a justice system that truly serves the people.

11. We are deeply grateful to the Delegation of the European Union in The Gambia for their generous support and partnership with UNDP through the EU–UNDP GREAT Initiative here in The Gambia and our long-standing partnership and collaboration over the past 20 years globally, which has made this capacity development and learning initiative possible.

12. In closing, let me reaffirm UNDP’s steadfast commitment to supporting ADRS and The Gambia’s broader justice reform agenda, as outlined in the National Development Plan and now powerfully reinforced by our new Strategic Plan 2026–2029. Together, let us build a future where justice is accessible, inclusive, and transformative for all in the Smiling Coast of Africa.

On behalf of UNDP The Gambia, I wish you all a fruitful and impactful learning experience.

ABARAKAH. JERE JEFF. JARAMA.

Mandisa Mashologu

Resident Representative