Gambian Vice President Mohammed B.S. Jallow on Friday called for concerted global efforts to safeguard the right to development, describing it as an inalienable human right and saying China’s practical cooperation with African countries has set an example for developing nations.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) on the sidelines of the just-concluded Forum on Global Human Rights Governance in Beijing, Jallow said the gathering, held on Thursday and Friday, carries special significance as the world faces mounting environmental challenges, widening development gaps and multiple global crises, and as this year marks the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Right to Development.
"I think this theme is meaningful. Every country, we have to work in partnership because human rights, particularly, I mean, when you talk of human rights, it's not just about freedoms, it's about development, and development has to be cooperative and it has to be shared," Jallow said.
As one of the countries most affected by climate change, Gambia's economy relies heavily on agriculture and fisheries, sectors highly sensitive to environmental shifts.
Jallow expressed appreciation to China, saying Chinese aid projects have helped improve livelihoods and ensure the right to development among local people.
"And I think all the partnership that we have with the people of China is infrastructural development, particularly in the rural areas, which means that it has opened up the agricultural areas to have access to markets. It has made transport very easy, thereby improving the lives and livelihoods of people in rural communities," the vice president said.
Jallow stressed that human rights know no borders and global challenges require collective responses.
He said only through solidarity and multilateralism can the benefits of development be shared by all and the goal of universal enjoyment of the right to development be achieved.
"We have to thank His Excellency Mr. President Xi Jinping for the global governance initiative that he has launched, which stresses collaboration, particularly in the global rule of law. Like when you talk about human rights, that means all countries have to work together to make sure it is implemented equally, not (that) it will be needed on one side and not on the other. I think it is something that is very important," Jallow said.
In his address on Thursday, Jallow emphasized that international cooperation must remain a central pillar of global human rights governance.
The two-day event brought together more than 400 participants from over 100 countries, as well as international organizations including the United Nations.
Gambian vice president calls for global efforts to safeguard development as human right
