Ecolum

22/05/2026

PUBLIC STATEMENT

ECOLUM Ecology & Environmental Luminaries
Banjul, The Gambia | 22 May 2026

RE: The Gambia's Abstention on the UN General Assembly Resolution Endorsing the ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change and Human Rights.

ECOLUM notes with deep concern the Government of The Gambia's decision to abstain from the United Nations General Assembly vote held on 20 May 2026, in which 141 nations voted to endorse the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion affirming that states carry legally binding obligations to prevent environmental harm and act urgently on the climate crisis.

The Gambia is not a bystander to climate change. Our coastlines are eroding. Our farming communities contend each season with increasingly unpredictable rains. Our people the poorest and least responsible for global emissions are absorbing consequences they did not create. In this context, abstaining from a resolution that would have strengthened the legal framework for climate accountability is not a neutral act. It is a step away from the protection our citizens deserve.

We are especially troubled because The Gambia has, in previous years, presented itself on the international stage as a champion of climate justice and a voice for small, vulnerable states. The decision on 20 May contradicts that record and undermines the credibility of our climate diplomacy. Many African nations found it possible to vote in favour. The suggestion that a regional consensus justified abstention does not hold there was no such consensus.

ECOLUM calls on the Government of The Gambia to:

1. Provide a full and transparent account of who made the decision to abstain, on what grounds, and through what process.

2. Reaffirm publicly the country's commitment to the principles enshrined in the ICJ advisory opinion that climate inaction is a human rights issue and that states bear legal accountability for environmental harm.

3. Strengthen, not weaken, Gambia's engagement in multilateral climate forums as COP and other key negotiations approach.

4. Invest urgently in domestic adaptation measures coastal protection, salt-tolerant agriculture, water management, and climate-resilient public health that reflect the seriousness of the crisis our communities already face.

Silence at a critical vote is itself a statement. ECOLUM urges the government to ensure that when The Gambia next speaks on climate, it speaks clearly, courageously, and on the side of its people.

We remain committed to working with government, civil society, and communities across The Gambia and Africa to build the sustainable, just future our continent demands.

Issued by ECOLUM
Banjul, The Gambia

Environmental Defense Fund National Environment Agency Gambia Gambia Environmental Alliance Ministry of Environment-MECCNAR

12/03/2026

CAN Africa strongly condemns the current situation in Iran and stands in full solidarity with the people of Iran and the people of the Middle East who continue to suffer the consequences of this escalating conflict.

Read more here: https://can-africa.org/can-africa-statement-on-the-escalating-conflict-in-iran-and-the-middle-east/

03/03/2026

The conference also served as a platform for celebrating successes achieved under the Bloomberg Philanthropy project, which has supported multiple community-based climate initiatives led by women and youth. As updates and experiences were shared by project beneficiaries. These stories showed how small-scale interventions, when driven by women, could ripple outwards to transform entire communities. Women farmers spoke about embracing climate-smart agriculture practices that improved both productivity and environmental conservation. Young innovators described how they launched recycling and renewable energy startups that not only provided green jobs but also reduced waste and reliance on fossil fuels. These testimonies reinforced the message that empowering women and girls is not just about representation, but about unlocking real solutions to real problems.

In reflecting on these insights, ECOLUM acknowledged the importance of documentation and accountability. A central outcome of the conference will be the production of a comprehensive white paper capturing the deliberations, strategies, and recommendations that emerged. This document will serve as a roadmap for policymakers, development partners, and civil society organizations seeking to mainstream gender inclusivity into climate and environmental governance.https://www.ecolum.org/ecolum-strengthens-advocacy-for-gender-responsive-climate-solutions/ G20 Global Land InitiativeWetlands InternationalInternational Climate Change Development InitiativeNational Environment Agency Gambia @

ECOLUM Strengthens Advocacy for Gender-Responsive Climate Solutions Leave a Comment / Uncategorized / By Site Admin The city of Banjul recently hosted the Women and Girls Climate Conference, a landmark event organized by the Young Africans Network for Global Goals under the Bloomberg Philanthropy pr...

16/01/2026

Congratulations to our abled Baboucarr Nyang for a

We are pleased to announce that Baboucarr Nyang has been appointed as Regional Coordinator of CAN Africa.

In this role, Baboucarr will provide strategic leadership to advance its strategic priorities, strengthening partnerships with members and allies, and deepening the network’s commitment to climate justice, people-centred solutions, and a just transition for Africa.

Congratulations, Baboucarr, and welcome to the role.