Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – In a significant move towards environmental conservation, the Gambia’s Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, Rohey John Manjang, alongside her Senegalese counterpart, Daouda Ngom, Minister of Environment and Ecological Transition, have pledged to protect the forest covers of both countries. The announcement was made during a meeting held on hWednesday, July 11, 2024, at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre in Bijilo.

The ministers emphasized the importance of this bilateral partnership in achieving their shared goals of safeguarding natural resources. This collaboration aims to foster innovative ideas for managing forest covers, preserving ecological systems, and combating forest degradation and illegal activities within their respective forests.

Minister Manjang highlighted that the visit by the Senegalese minister was a direct outcome of President Domaye Faye’s recent trip to the Gambia, which underscored the necessity for a more technical and formalized discussion on forest management and ecological preservation. She stressed the need for a detailed agreement, complete with a clear roadmap and necessary resources, to ensure the partnership’s success.

“A smart agreement with specific details will enable us to effectively manage our forest covers and ecological systems,” Manjang stated. She further elaborated that a committee comprising technicians from both countries will work on project concept notes to strengthen this collaboration. Some projects, already in the pipeline and approved by the World Bank, will be revived under this new partnership.

Senegalese Minister Ngom expressed his gratitude for the invitation, noting the historical, cultural, and geographical ties between the two nations. He underscored the absence of ecological borders and the importance of a unified approach to forest conservation. Ngom highlighted plans to collaborate with UNESCO to establish a transboundary wildlife reserve, particularly focusing on the protection of the Nuimi and Saloum reserves.

“We will work together to develop mechanisms to protect our wildlife and forest reserves,” Ngom assured, committing to continuous collaboration on projects beneficial to both nations.

This partnership marks a significant step in the conservation efforts of both countries, aiming to mobilize resources and strengthen the ecological ties that bind them.