By Amadou Manjang
The Association of Non-Governmental Organisation is developing a ‘Shadow Report’ to assess the implementation of The Gambia’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ahead of the United Nations (UN) 2025 Comprehensive Review.
According to the UN, the 2025 comprehensive review provides a good opportunity to improve the indicator framework to help the global monitoring of the 2030 Agenda, and to provide the necessary guidance to countries, many of which are already well advanced in the implementation of their national frameworks and reporting platforms. The report will highlight the Gambian Government’s efforts in the implementation of the SDGs as well as the CSOs’ contribution. The report will also highlight how far the country has gone in achieving the SDGs.
Executive Director of TANGO Ndey Sireng Bakurin, who spoke during the event marking the development of the report, said the review is about the progress that the country has made in implementing its SDGs. She said all the SDGs are important, but the United Nations selected only a couple of SDGs to be reviewed, including SDGs 3, 5, 8, 14, and 17.
According to her, SDG 3 seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, while SDG 5 seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. SDG 8 seeks to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and the provision of full and productive employment and decent work for all and that SDG 14 aims to conserve the sustainable use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, while SDG 17 seeks to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalization of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.
Mrs. Bakurin said CSOs must provide support so that the Government can thoroughly implement the SDGs. She said it is important that CSOs have ‘shadow reports’ on the review of the SDGs and that anything the country reports on is important for TANGO to have as a ‘shadow report.’ She said when they are developing the report, they ensured the inclusion of the people in the process. She said it is important to speak with one voice and represent the voice of voiceless, calling government stakeholders to share information with CSOs. She said the report would be evidence-based, adding that there will be a recommendation and follow-up to ensure the report is beneficial.
Modou Lamin Mbye of TANGO said it is important for CSOs to develop a ‘Shadow Report’ on Volunteer Review of the SDGs to improve its implementation in the country.
‘‘We deem it fit that we need to consult with our members to be part of the process,’’ Mbye said, adding that the review is in preparation for the high-level political forum to be held at the United Nations, where the government of the Gambia will report on the implementation of the SDGs.
On his part, Mr. Lamin Cham, head of the thematic working group that is developing the Shadow Report, said it is critical to review and assess the implementation of the SDGs and urged CSO members of the Association to pay close attention to SDG 4.
