His Excellency Mohammed B.S. Jallow, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, is currently in Awaza, Turkmenistan, where he is representing The Gambia at the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) from 5-8 August 2025.
The high-level conference, held under the theme “Driving Progress through Partnership”, brings together leaders, experts, and stakeholders from around the world to chart a bold course for inclusive development for landlocked nations.
Vice President Jallow is accompanied by a distinguished delegation including H.E. Ambassador Lamin Dibba, Gambian Permanent Representative to the United Nations,
Abdoulie T.B. Jarra, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Vice President, and other senior government officials.
Delivering The Gambia’s keynote statement, Vice President Jallow conveyed greetings and appreciation on behalf of President Adama Barrow, the Government, and the people of The Gambia. He extended gratitude to the Government and people of Turkmenistan for their hospitality and for hosting the conference.
Although The Gambia is not landlocked, the Vice President emphasised the country’s strategic role as a coastal Least Developed Country (LDC) with close trade and transit ties to landlocked neighbours in the West African sub-region. He underscored The Gambia’s strong support for the LLDCs, especially in areas such as trade facilitation, regional integration, and infrastructure development.
“Geography should not determine destiny,” VP Jallow stated, noting that landlocked developing countries face trade costs that are up to 74% higher than those of coastal nations. He highlighted The Gambia’s role as a gateway to the Atlantic Ocean, especially through the Port of Banjul, which facilitates trade and transit for neighbouring LLDCs.
He made a resounding call for global solidarity, urging development partners, international financial institutions, and the private sector to rise to the occasion and deliver on commitments to support LLDCs.
“Partnerships are the cornerstone of durable solutions,” he emphasised. “Governments alone cannot address these multifaceted challenges. We need a robust global coalition,” he stated.
As the world navigates complex crises from climate change to economic inequality The Gambia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to ensuring no nation is left behind due to its geography.
