The Government of the Republic of The Gambia, on Wednesday, 29th April 2026, successfully validated and launched its Second National Progress Report on the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), marking a significant milestone in the countryโs migration governance journey ahead of the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) 2026 in New York.
Convened by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad (MoFA), the validation exercise brought together a diverse group of national stakeholders and partners. Participants included government institutions, members of the National Coordination Mechanism on Migration (NCM), representatives of the United Nations system, development partners, civil society organizations, academia, the private sector, migrant and diaspora groups, youth representatives, and the media.
The engagement served as a platform to review national progress, assess implementation efforts, and collectively refine the countryโs reporting on migration governance. It also provided an opportunity to align perspectives on priority actions and strengthen coordination as The Gambia prepares to contribute to global discussions at IMRF 2026.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Lang Yabou, described the exercise as both reflective and forward-looking.
โThe validation and launch of The Gambiaโs Second National GCM Progress Report reflects a strong whole-of-government and whole-of-society commitment to managing migration in a safe, orderly and dignified manner,โ he stated.
โAs a GCM Champion Country, The Gambia is using this report as a foundation to engage credibly and constructively at the International Migration Review Forum 2026, demonstrating that well-governed migration is a powerful driver of sustainable development.โ
Ambassador Yabou further highlighted that the report is the outcome of extensive national consultations coordinated through the NCM, ensuring contributions from a wide range of sectors and actors. He noted that beyond documenting achievements, the report captures ongoing challenges and identifies areas requiring sustained attention, including the need for stronger international collaboration.
