Sheikh Omar Faye, Secretary of State for Youths, Sports and Religious Affairs, has disclosed that The Gambia’s efforts in achieving growth and sustainable development was highly recognised and appreciated by participants and member states at the recently concluded International Dialogue (LID) held from 5-8 August, 2007, in Malaysia.

SoS Faye made these remarks on Tuesday at a press briefing conference on The Gambia’s participation at the 8th Langkawi International Dialogue (LID), in Malaysia.  The Gambia was represented by Sheikh Omar Faye, SoS for Youths, Sports and Religious Affairs and Ebrima Camara, Permanent Secretary Office of the President.

According to SoS Faye, this recognition came after they have informed the meeting about President Jammeh’s giant steps in the promotion of agriculture and the personal involvement of President Jammeh, in promoting farming and agriculture in line with the back-to- the-land call.  He added that they also informed the meeting of the President’s empowerment of girls’ education, women and the provision of free maternal health services.
"The meeting", he said, “even came up with a strong advice, out of President Jammeh’s examples about the need for leaders to emulate President Jammeh, in order to take necessary conditions to eradicate poverty, through knowledge and skills, and to achieve sustainable growth and development”.

SoS Faye also told journalists that the meeting was attended by 475 participants, ranging from Heads of States and governments of Lesotho, Namibia, St.Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Swaziland, Thailand, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, the private sector, academia, the media and to the civil society from almost all parts of the world.

He finally revealed that the next Langkawi International Dialogue (LID) will be hosted in Zambia in 2008.  This year’s theme is “poverty eradication, through human capital development and capacity building.”