Singapore’s Special Envoy Visits The Gambia High Commission in London

The Gambia High Commission in London recently welcomed Mr. Yap Ong Heng, the Special Envoy of the Minister for Transport of the Republic of Singapore, for a courtesy visit with Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Mr. Sulayman Suntou Touray. This meeting highlighted the strengthening partnership between The Gambia and Singapore, focusing on opportunities for greater collaboration in transport, maritime, aviation, and environmental sustainability. Key Topics Discussed: - Capacity Building and Skills Transfer: Strategies to enhance technical expertise in aviation, maritime, and land transport sectors. - IMO Compliance and Best Practices: Sharing knowledge on the implementation of International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions. - Climate Sustainability Collaboration: Support for The Gambia’s National Action Plan for greenhouse gas reduction, aligned with the IMO GHG Strategy. - Education and Training: Expanding fellowships and professional development in governance and public sector reform. - Multilateral Cooperation: A commitment to mutual support in international platforms such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the IMO. Notably, 118 Gambian professionals have benefited from training at Singapore’s Aviation Academy, alongside maritime training facilitated by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

The discussion also noted Singapore’s Climate Decarbonisation Blueprint for 2050, which serves as a model for advancing climate-resilient infrastructure efforts. Both nations expressed optimism about future engagements, with plans for further coordination through national channels and upcoming initiatives. The meeting culminated in a reaffirmation of the long-standing diplomatic friendship between Singapore and The Gambia. Attendees Included: From Singapore: Mr. Yap Ong Heng, Special Envoy; Ms. Lau Bee Juan, Senior Assistant Director. From The Gambia High Commission: Mr. Sulayman Suntou Touray, Chargé d’Affaires a.i.; Mrs. Sainey Barrow, Counsellor; and interns Ms. Abi Barry and Mr. Zindi Anthony Levi.