The Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of The Gambia and Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela was on Monday officially ratified by members of the National Assembly during the start of the second sitting of the members in the 2007 Legislative Year.
The aim of the Memorandum of Understanding is to further strengthen the relations that exist between the two nations, mainly in the areas of agriculture, health, education, petroleum, energy and infrastructure.

The members also unanimously adopted the report on the 36th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Executive meeting held in Limassol, Cyprus from 16th to 21st April 2007, attended by Mrs. Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, Speaker of the National Assembly, who represented The Gambia and one of Africa’s representatives to the CPA Executive Committee.

This was followed by the adoption of the report on the 116th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly in Bali, Indonesia held from 29th to 4th May 2007.
Contributing to the adoption of the reports, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, Majority leader and member for Serrekunda East, commended the Speaker and the delegation for the valuable contribution at the meeting. He added that during the Speaker’s maiden address to the global parliamentary body, she captured many things, meant to pave the way forward for the betterment of the Gambian people. He then commended the Speaker and expressed hope that within the shortest possible time, the fruits of the co-operation will bear fruition.

Adama Cham, member for Kombo North also commended the Speaker for the good work and then urged members to revisit CPA Gambia branch.
Cherno Cham, member for Lower Nuimi expressed delight, noting that the aim of capacity -building for National Assembly members as stated in the MOU, is indeed laudable.

Momodou Sanneh, member for Kiang West and Minority leader congratulated the Speaker and the delegation for their immense contribution to the global Assembly.
Similarly, Netty Baldeh, National Assembly member for Tumana, also submitted the report of the National Assembly Select Committee on the Marine Bio-diversity Conference for West Africa, Praia, Cape Verde, held from 17th to 20th April 2007 and the followed-up meeting in Dakar, Senegal, from 7th to 9th May 2007.

Sedia Jatt, member for Wuli West urged the committee to look into issues of conservation and then commended them for the step taken at Bakoteh Dump site.
Honourable Jatta further called on the committee to also consider that global warming is almost in The Gambia, noting that Kilimanjaro Mountain is losing 18 percent of snow.