The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR), in collaboration with Climate Action Africa (CAA) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has commenced a three-day National Workshop on the NDC 2.0 Stocktake and Preparations for NDC 3.0 at Bakadaji Hotel in Kololi.

The workshop aims to (i) launch the national stocktake of The Gambia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 2.0) implementation, (ii) collect sectoral inputs on progress, gaps, and priorities across mitigation, adaptation, and cross-cutting themes such as MRV, finance, and gender, and (iii) lay the groundwork for the NDC 3.0 process to ensure strong national ownership and alignment with the country’s Long-Term Climate Strategy 2050.

As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, the development of NDC 3.0 marks a key milestone for The Gambia in demonstrating enhanced climate ambition and continued alignment with global climate goals. The NDC 2.0 stocktake is critical to providing the evidence base, lessons learned, and identified gaps that will inform the next NDC submission and strengthen The Gambia’s international reporting under the Enhanced Transparency Framework.

In his opening statement, Deputy Permanent Secretary Bubacar Zaidi Jallow underscored the central role of NDCs in driving national and global climate efforts.

“Nationally Determined Contributions are the very engine of the Paris Agreement. They translate global climate goals into concrete, nationally owned pathways for mitigation and adaptation,” he said. “For The Gambia, the NDC is not merely a reporting requirement; it is a strategic blueprint for sustainable development, climate justice, and transformative economic growth.”

He extended appreciation to participants and development partners for their continued collaboration and technical support, adding that their presence reflects a shared commitment to advancing national climate ambition and strengthening ownership of the process across all sectors.

“Together, we are positioning The Gambia as a leader in climate governance and green development,” he affirmed.

Delivering the welcoming remarks, Director of the Climate Change Secretariat, Mr. Lamin S. Jammeh, described the workshop as a timely opportunity to reflect and reimagine approaches to NDC formulation and implementation.

“I encourage all of us to engage openly, think strategically, and contribute meaningfully to this process, which will shape The Gambia’s climate trajectory for years to come,” he stated.

He emphasized the critical role of climate finance as a strategic enabler of ambition.

“The formulation and implementation of NDCs must be underpinned by credible financing strategies, aligned with Article 9 of the Paris Agreement and responsive to both domestic priorities and international opportunities. Without finance, our ambition remains aspirational,” Director Jammeh said.

Mr. Jammeh also reiterated The Gambia’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations under Article 4.2 of the Paris Agreement, which requires countries to prepare, communicate, and maintain successive NDCs.

“We may not always be the first to submit our NDC during each cycle, but The Gambia has consistently submitted ambitious and progressive NDCs in every round in line with Article 4.3 and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of Baastel, Senior Consultant Mr. Mathieu Dumas highlighted the importance of engaging all stakeholders in the NDC process and the need for comprehensive data to guide national decision-making.

Representing UNEP, Mr. Rachid Ennassiri stressed the importance of transparency, collaboration, and alignment with existing frameworks and strategies. He underscored the need to take stock of progress, share updates with the international community, and ensure that financing considerations remain at the heart of climate action planning.

The three-day workshop brings together representatives from government institutions, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to collectively advance The Gambia’s national climate agenda.