The Gambia has assumed the chairmanship of the Global Coordination Bureau of the Group of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), becoming the global voice for 44 of the world's poorest nations. This election by consensus took place at the Group's Plenary Meeting on September 2, 2026, at the UN Headquarters in New York. The Gambia succeeds Nepal, which chaired the Group for the past three years.
The Gambia formally took over at the LDC Ministerial Meeting on September 25, with Vice President Mohammed B.S. Jallow receiving the handover from Nepal. The ceremony was witnessed by high-ranking officials, including the President of the UN General Assembly and the UN Deputy Secretary-General. Vice President Jallow expressed gratitude to member states for their trust and pledged to serve with dedication, fairness, and diligence.
As Chair, The Gambia will provide strategic direction, preserve unity, facilitate consensus, and steer common positions in UN negotiations. The LDC Group comprises 44 countries from Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Caribbean, and is the main platform for coordinating common positions on sustainable development, financing, debt, trade, climate action, technology transfer, and productive capacities.
The Gambia's priorities as Chair include the effective implementation of the Doha Programme of Action for LDCs 2022-2031, greater accountability for commitments to LDCs, and stronger support for countries approaching graduation. In New York, the chairmanship will be led by H.E. Lamin B. Dibba, Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the UN, with Counsellor Binta Jeng coordinating negotiations and expert-level work.
The Gambia has also assumed chairmanship in Geneva, coordinating work at UNCTAD and WIPO. H.E. Prof. Muhammadou M.O. Kah, Permanent Representative in Geneva and Coordinator at WTO, received leadership at Palais des Nations. He emphasized that The Gambia takes over at a defining juncture, guided by continuity, unity, and ambition.
Prof. Kah pledged to keep development at the heart of UNCTAD and ensure intellectual property at WIPO serves technology transfer, not a barrier. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has congratulated Vice President Jallow, Ambassadors Dibba and Kah, and assured them of its support. This development has been seen as a significant milestone for The Gambia, highlighting its growing role on the global stage.
The assumption of chairmanship by The Gambia is expected to have a positive impact on the LDCs, with the country's leadership focusing on promoting sustainable development and addressing the challenges faced by the world's poorest nations. The Gambia's commitment to effective implementation of the Doha Programme and greater accountability for commitments to LDCs is expected to drive progress in the years to come.
Key points
- The Gambia assumes chairmanship of the Global Coordination Bureau of the Group of Least Developed Countries.
- The country will provide strategic direction and steer common positions in UN negotiations.
- The Gambia's priorities include effective implementation of the Doha Programme and greater accountability for commitments to LDCs.
