New York, 24 September 2025 – At the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) Leaders’ Meeting held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Hon. Rohey John Manjang, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources of The Gambia, delivered a powerful statement calling for a paradigm shift in global climate and development approaches.

Speaking before CVF leaders, Hon. Manjang emphasized that the longstanding reliance on external consultants and short-term projects has failed to build resilience, ownership, and trust in vulnerable countries. Instead, she argued, the new paradigm must be country-driven with national governments providing clear leadership, subnational actors shaping project pipelines, and local institutions empowered to deliver sustainable results.

Hon. Manjang highlighted The Gambia’s own leadership through the development of its Climate Prosperity Investment and Financing Strategy, a nationally led plan to transform climate risks into opportunities, mobilize investment, and drive prosperity through resilience. The strategy underscores The Gambia’s capacity to design industrial policy, build and retain national expertise, and pursue ambitious climate goals.

Underscoring resilience as a national priority, Hon. Manjang pointed to ongoing efforts to strengthen climate-resilient health systems in The Gambia. This includes investments in renewable energy solutions for health centers to ensure uninterrupted essential services during climate shocks. 

She called for COP30 to deliver a comprehensive Adaptation Package that ensures finance flows at scale, at speed, and at affordable costs for vulnerable nations. She also welcomed the upcoming Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, describing it as a critical opportunity to accelerate the global reframing of climate action.

Hon. Manjang concluded with a clear message of self-determination:

“Climate prosperity will not be handed to us by outsiders—it will be forged by our own leadership, determination, and collective action.”

The CVF is a global partnership of 74 countries most threatened by the impacts of climate change. It seeks to mobilize ambitious climate action and drive solutions that secure the survival and prosperity of its members.