Ndeye Rose Sarr, UNFPA Resident Representative to The Gambia, has described the young people of The Gambia as architects of peace, security and a thriving future of the country.
Madam Sarr made this remark at the launching of the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security for 2025 to 2030 held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo on Tuesday.
“We stand here not just to unveil a plan, but to celebrate a profound shift in perspective a shift that acknowledges, embraces, and empowers the young people of The Gambia as architects of peace, security, and a thriving future,” she commends.
The UNFPA County representative said the youth had been viewed as beneficiaries of peace, or worse, as potential sources of instability, but with the launch of The Gambia’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security, “we are shattering that outdated paradigm”.
She added: “We are proclaiming, with unwavering conviction, that young people are not just part of the solution; they are the solution.”
According to her, over 2,000 voices of young women, young men, leaders, and dreamers shaped the new Action Plan. “We invested in training, ensuring that local governments, community leaders, and civil society actors are not just aware but deeply engaged in the YPS agenda,” she said, adding: “We believe that ownership starts at the ground level, and we are committed to fostering that ownership every step of the way.”
She also said The Gambia is now part of a global movement a growing chorus of nations recognizing that sustainable peace is impossible without the active and meaningful participation of young people.
“We have witnessed the incredible leadership, innovation, and resilience of young Gambians as they build bridges, foster understanding, and drive positive change in their communities,” she stated.
She said the NAP is a crucial step towards institutionalizing and protecting the rights of youth, adding that the Action Plan is more than just words on paper. “It is a tangible commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 2050; it is aligned with The Gambia’s broader development goals.”
