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Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland will leave tomorrow for her first official visit to The Gambia.
She will be the first senior official to visit the country since the Gambia rejoined the Commonwealth family in February 2018, almost five years after leaving the association.
In the capital Banjul, the Secretary-General will speak with Gambian President Adama Barrow, members of his government and other public figures on issues related to the coronavirus pandemic, small states, the economic slowdown and other national priorities.
Speaking before the visit, Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland said:
“The Gambia is a valued member of our family. Your government and people actively contribute to and benefit from the collective wisdom of our 54-member family, and a plethora of initiatives delivered by Commonwealth organizations on a wide range of pressing issues for the greater prosperity of all our citizens and communities. .
“The visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen our collaboration and cooperation with The Gambia, better understand the concerns and priorities of a wide range of national leaders and representatives of the country, and ensure that their interests are reflected in key Commonwealth programs. and global promotion.
“Our overriding goal at this time is our work to support small and vulnerable states, such as The Gambia, as they address the cumulative impacts arising from the COVID-19 pandemic alongside ongoing threats like climate change.
“This work is focused on building back better through the cooperation and mutual support of the 54 Commonwealth member countries.”
The Secretary General will update the government on the agenda and preparations for the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which will take place in Rwanda in June 2021.
Throughout the seven-day visit, Dec. 5-11, the Commonwealth delegation will adhere to national and international COVID-19 safety guidelines to minimize risk and exposure to the virus.
All media (print and broadcast) wishing to interview the Secretary General, either in person or remotely, are kindly requested to do so. [email protected]
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent and equal sovereign states. Our combined population is 2.4 billion, of which more than 60% are 29 years old or younger.
The Commonwealth spans the world and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Thirty-two of our members are small states, many of which are island nations.
The Commonwealth Secretariat supports member countries to build democratic and inclusive institutions, strengthen governance, and promote justice and human rights. Our work helps grow economies and boost trade, build national resilience, empower youth, and address threats like climate change, debt, and inequality.
The member countries are supported by a network of more than 80 intergovernmental, civil society, cultural and professional organizations.
