The Gambia

Launching of Human Development Report - March 2008

The Global Human Development Report on the theme Fighting Climate Change: Human Solidarity in a Divided World, and the Youth Human Development Report 2006 was launched in the Gambia on the 25th March 2007 by Her Excellency, Ajaratou Dr. Isatou Njie Saidy, Vice President of the Republic of the Gambia at the Corinthia Atlantic Hotel, Banjul. The Launch was done on the seaside where evidence of sea erosion and other natural phenomena are clearly manifested, and in order to present the audience with a picture of some of the impacts of climate change on the environment in reality. Climate change has imposed great challenges on humanity, which if left unresolved, would bring about unprecedented reversals in human development, of which the world’s poorest will bear the brunt.

The launch ceremony was followed by series of presentations and a lively debate on climate change in the context of the Gambia, with adaptation and mitigation measures highlighted.

The Launch was attended by several Secretaries of State, other senior government officials, members of the diplomatic community, civil service organisations, media representatives, student and youth representatives, and colleagues from the UN System. Following the Launch, a series of sensitisation and advocacy activities is planned, designed to raise the profile of climate change issues in our development agenda. These activities include competition among journalists, a symposium with the University of The Gambia, competition among school children and a panel discussion on TV and Radio on the topic Climate Change.