Gambia Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Urban Development at UN-Habitat High-Level Meeting

By CTV Africa

New York, USA – The Gambia has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable urban development as it participates in the United Nations-Habitat High-Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the Midterm Review of the New Urban Agenda (NUA), held from 16 to 17 July 2026 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The Gambian delegation is led by the Minister of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs, Hon. Hamat N. K. Bah, and includes Permanent Secretary Ndey Marie Njie, Governor Ousman Bojang of the West Coast Region, Governor Lamin Saidykhan of the North Bank Region, and Bernard Mendy, Director of the American Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad.

The delegation is being supported by The Gambia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations under the leadership of Ambassador Lamin Dibba, alongside Deputy Head of Mission Fatou Njie Hydara, Counsellor Binta Jeng, Defence Attaché Colonel Alagie Sanneh, and staff of the Mission.

The two-day High-Level Meeting serves as a platform for United Nations Member States and key stakeholders to review progress made in implementing the New Urban Agenda since its adoption, assess the findings of the midterm review, renew global political commitments, and agree on priority actions to accelerate implementation over the next decade.

The meeting has brought together 148 participants, including representatives of UN Member States, international organizations, development partners, and civil society organizations, to exchange experiences, strengthen partnerships, and advance sustainable urban development across the globe.

The Government of The Gambia said its participation reflects the country’s continued commitment to promoting inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable human settlements, while advancing the objectives of both the New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Government officials noted that the engagement also highlights The Gambia’s determination to strengthen international cooperation and adopt sustainable urban development strategies aimed at improving the quality of life and well-being of all Gambians.

The New Urban Agenda, adopted by the United Nations in 2016, provides a global framework for making cities and human settlements more inclusive, resilient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly as countries respond to rapid urbanization and development challenges.