Gunjur Ward Councillor Calls for Greater Empowerment at UN-Habitat Assembly

Nairobi, 28 May 2025 - Hon. Momodou Charreh Gibba, a prominent local government official from The Gambia, delivered a compelling appeal at the UN-Habitat Assembly in Nairobi on Monday, calling for stronger global support for grassroots authorities in rapidly urbanising regions.

Hon. Momodou Charreh Gibba at the UN-Habitat Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya

Speaking during the Third Open-Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives and the Resumed Second Session of the UN-Habitat Assembly, Hon. Gibba represented the voice of local government from The Gambia’s Brikama Area Council (BAC), located in the country’s rapidly expanding West Coast region.

“In The Gambia, local authorities are ready to lead change,” Hon. Gibba declared, “but we need stronger collaboration and support.”

Citing the mounting pressures of urban growth - including infrastructure deficits, housing shortages, informal settlements, and vulnerability to climate change and environment, Hon. Gibba underscored the urgency of giving local governments a central role in implementing the New Urban Agenda.

He issued three key appeals to the global community:

1. Strengthen Local Government Capacity: Emphasising the need for tools, training, and autonomy, Hon. Gibba argued that local authorities must be empowered to effectively lead urban transformation.

   
   

2. Invest in Local Infrastructure: He called for prioritised investment in essential infrastructure such as roads, waste systems, markets, and affordable housing, particularly in fast-growing towns and peri-urban areas.

   
   

3. Enhance Local-Global Partnerships: Advocating for more inclusive global decision-making processes, he urged UN-Habitat and member states to champion decentralisation and create mechanisms for local voices to directly influence global urban policy.

The Gambia, like many countries in the Global South, is experiencing a demographic shift toward urban living. Hon. Gibba’s intervention highlighted both the opportunities and challenges this presents - and the pivotal role local governments must play in shaping sustainable urban futures.

His address received a warm response from delegates, many of whom echoed the importance of empowering municipal authorities to meet the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.

As the UN-Habitat Assembly continues its work to define pathways for inclusive, climate-resilient, and sustainable cities, voices like Hon. Gibba’s serve as a reminder that change must begin from the ground up.