The signing ceremony took place at Halahin Eco Lodge in Kartong on the West Coast Region.
To help put into practice the long-term goals set out in the Paris Agreement, countries are asked to develop and communicate long-term, low-GHG emission development strategies (LTS), also known as Long Term Strategy (LTS). These are visionary plans that will help us achieve low-carbon and climate-resilient societies by 2050.
AIUWA was identified as the central point for building and strengthening long-term capacities in the country. This included transferring knowledge about the foundations of LTS and modeling outputs, monitoring and evaluating implementation of LTS.
Momodou Mbye Jabang (permanent secretary of MECCNAR) stated that it was crucial that policy makers, academics, and think-tanks join forces to combat the new effects of climate.
He said that climate change poses global risks and challenges to the environment and economies. These include impacts on human health, increasing extreme weather and threatening natural resources, as well as forced migration.
PS Jabang stated that international efforts were necessary to protect the planet and limit the rising global temperatures. He also said that measurable progress must have been made in the near future to establish a projector for reductions needed mid-term targets, including commitments to 2030.
Anna Schulz, Ph.D. Head of the Global Climate Law Policy and Governance Programme Climate Change of IIED, delivered her remarks virtually. She congratulated MECCNAR and its partners for signing the MOU.
She noted that The Gambia has made great progress towards an ambitious Long-Term Strategie – adopting a strong Vision for a net-zero LTS in 2050.
Ms. Schulz stated, “The LTS process is critical in ensuring that the vision/LTS remain living documents that can guide The Gambia toward a low carbon climate resilient future through development of an in-country legacy partnership to continue work on the LTS. It will also champion its messages after work on the initial LTS has been completed.”
She expressed IIED’s commitment to continue working alongside The Gambias LTS Team, partners, and AIUWA, the legacy partner, throughout the LTS process. She also thanked the European Climate Foundation, 2050 Pathways Platform, and 2050 Pathways Platform, for funding this phase in the elaboration and implementation of The Gambias LTS.
Professor Makie Taal, vice-chancellor of AIUWA, stated that they will collaborate on eight areas, including capacity building in data collection on climate change, technical cooper and capacity building to strengthen greenhouse inventories and reporting programs, and direct research studies about environmental and climate change issues.
Professor Taal, representing AIUWA, expressed their determination to fulfill the MOU’s expectations.
Juldeh CEEsay, Deputy Permanent Secretary Projects of MOFEA, said that if the collaboration is successful, it could address many bottlenecks in responding, including data gaps and monitoring, evaluation, and capacity limitations.
She stressed that investments in economic growth and economic development must be combined with climate change mitigation and adaptation investment. In that regard, her ministry will pursue a green economic revival in the country’s five-year National Development Plan. This will serve as the country’s next medium-term development strategy.
Ebrima Jawara was Deputy Permanent Secretary Finance and Administration at MECCNAR and LTS Coordinator. Other attendees included the Deputy Director for the Development Planning Directorate of MOFEA, staff from MECCNARs Climate Change Secretariat and representatives of a consulting company that was appointed to develop Gambia’s LTS.