At the 9th Meeting of Ministers of the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone (ZOPACAS) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (8โ9 April 2026), The Gambia reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to regional peace, security, and sustainable development.
The Meeting focused on strengthening cooperation across key priority areas, including maritime security, ocean governance, climate change, transnational illicit activities, the protection of global commons, as well as peace and security in the South Atlantic.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the President of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency Adama Barrow, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Sering Modou Njie, extended warm greetings to President Luiz Inรกcio Lula da Silva and commended Brazil for successfully hosting the high-level meeting.
The Minister emphasized the growing urgency for collaboration among South Atlantic nations in addressing evolving global and regional challenges. โThe need for regional solidarity and coordinated action has never been greater,โ he stated, pointing to threats such as climate change, maritime insecurity, and transnational crime.
Highlighting the importance of maritime security, he stressed that โpeace and maritime security remain fundamental prerequisites for development,โ calling for stronger cooperation in information sharing, joint surveillance, and law enforcement to combat illegal fishing, trafficking, and other crimes at sea.
On sustainable development, The Gambia underscored the importance of protecting marine resources and supporting fisheries. The Minister noted that โthe sustainable management of our shared marine resources is a priority for The Gambia,โ advocating for harmonized policies and stronger monitoring systems to safeguard livelihoods and food security.
Addressing climate change, he warned of its severe impact on coastal nations, declaring that โclimate change and sea-level rise constitute existential threats to many of our coastal communities.โ He called for increased climate financing, technical support, and global action to address loss and damage, while promoting solutions such as mangrove restoration and coastal protection.
The Minister also emphasized the importance of building an inclusive and sustainable blue economy. โPromoting a sustainable blue economy that benefits all citizens must be central to our collective agenda,โ he said, highlighting opportunities in renewable energy, aquaculture, and maritime industries.
Reaffirming The Gambiaโs commitment to multilateral cooperation, he announced concrete contributions, including hosting capacity-building workshops, participating in maritime surveillance initiatives, and supporting regional climate-resilient infrastructure planning.
In closing, the Minister underscored the interconnected nature of regional priorities: โOur collective security, prosperity and environmental stewardship are inextricably linked.โ
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