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London - The Gambia’s main development partners pledged financial support of US $ 175 million over the next three years to back up the country’s poverty reduction strategy. These contributions were announced at the end of a Round Table Conference in London, 5-6 February, attended by representatives of 27 bilateral, multilateral and other donor agencies including Bretton Woods institutions. In addition to the pledges, there are strong prospects for substantial additional funding from debt relief, grants and other financial resources. In this regard, an appeal was made for non-Paris Club creditors and non-Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative agencies to provide debt relief on terms comparable to the Paris Club creditors.

Development partners attending the conference unanimously commended the government of The Gambia for having become eligible for full debt relief since the reforms undertaken and the country’s track record of good performance made it reach the so-called “completion point” under the Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. They were also satisfied that the government's second poverty reduction strategy paper (PRSP II) provided a sound basis for addressing poverty in The Gambia. UNDP Regional director for Africa, Mr. Gilbert Houngbo, commended The Gambia on the positive progress made towards reaching some of the MDG targets. He stressed that the RTC provided the opportunity for the government of The Gambia and its development partners to further strategically dialogue on cooperation on the implementation of the PRSP II, and reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to play its role as a trusted development partner, including provision of substantive support to capacity development efforts in the implementation of the PRSP II.

This seventh Round Table Conference (RTC) for The Gambia was organized with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It was co-chaired by Her Excellency the Vice President, Dr. Aja Isatou Njie Saidy and Mr. Houngbo. In addition to Gambian government officials, members of the National Assembly and civil society organizations were also present.

Welcoming delegations, on behalf of H.E. President Alhagi Dr Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, Dr. Aja Isatou Njie Saidy said: "the objectives of this round table are to foster continuous policy dialogue with development partners, partnership building and resource mobilization for the implementation of our current Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper for 2007-2011." During the meeting the Gambian delegation presented the PRSP II, its accompanying results matrix and financing requirements, as well as the Aid Effectiveness Action Plan based on the Paris Declaration.

On the way forward, the Gambian Government and its development partners agreed on the need for periodic consultative and review meetings, on the basis of The Gambia’s Aid Effectiveness Action Plan, as well as the Results Matrix of the PRSP II. The meeting was held in a frank and cordial atmosphere. The Vice President in her closing remarks thanked the development partners for their goodwill and support shown towards The Gambia.