VP Jallow further outlined key priority areas such as advocating for increased international support, showcasing Gambia’s sustainable initiatives, and fostering collaboration with other nations.

In her welcoming remarks, Hon. Minister of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, Rohey John-Manjang stated that this year’s COP is special to the country as a member UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) it is the first time the country has a pavilion.

She added having the pavilion will help showcase The Gambia's unique climate challenges, vulnerabilities, and adaptation strategies while fostering global understanding and support.

She called on the delegates to keep up the good name of the country and keep raising the flag.

Hon. Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Momodou Tangara commended the climate change negotiators of the country for leading climate actions and negotiation on behalf of the country.

Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the United Nations, Mr. Lamin B. Dibba highlighted that COP 28 is a unique opportunity for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), building on the success that was registered at COP27 by establishing a Loss and Damage Framework.

He urged the negotiators to pay close attention to the ongoing negotiations about the operationization of the Loss and Damage Fund as LDCs suffered the most from the effects of climate change.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary took the delegates through the lineup activities of the pavilion as well as the negotiation priority areas for this year's COP.

He thanked the government of the United Arab Emirates for its support in acquiring the pavilion.

The event was graced by senior government officials, environmentalists, and delegates who joined hands in solidarity, fostering a spirit of cooperation in the fight against climate change.

COP is a UN climate change conference that takes place every year where the world comes together to agree on ways to address the climate crisis, such as limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, helping vulnerable communities adapt to the effects of climate change, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

This year, more than 70,000 delegates are attending COP28, including the member states of the UNFCCC. Business leaders, young people, climate scientists, Indigenous Peoples, journalists, and various other experts and stakeholders are also among the participants.