Distinguished personalities have converged in The Gambia to address ongoing challenges in the Sahel region, including insecurity, political instability, and weak institutions, among other key priority issues.
All of these discussions are the central focus at the first Sahel Governance Forum, which opened on Wednesday at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in The Gambia.
The event brings together over 200 high-level delegates, including current and former African leaders, civil society representatives, and development partners.
The two-day event, held under the theme “The Future of Governance: (Re)building Social Cohesion and Public Trust,” is hosted by the Gambian government in collaboration with the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), and the Office of the Special Coordinator for Development in the Sahel.
Delivering his opening speech, President Adama Barrow said the initiative is timely in advancing inclusive and accountable governance in the Sahel.
One of the forum’s key highlights is the launch of the flagship report “The Future of Governance in the Sahel,” developed through consultations across the ten countries of the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel.
The report outlines recommendations to rebuild public trust, strengthen justice systems, improve economic governance, and promote civic participation.
The forum concludes on Thursday with the adoption of a joint governance action plan.
