Planning a green and resilient COVID-19 recovery in The Gambia

The impacts of COVID-19 are being felt across The Gambia’s socioeconomic landscape, exacerbating existing inequalities and threatening hard-won progress. In response, the government has partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), establishing a secretariat to reprioritise the current national development plan (NDP) to serve as a blueprint for a resilient and green recovery —one with people, nature and climate at its core. There is a strong policy landscape to build on; revised plans must offer continuity for the gains and momentum achieved by the existing NDP and reform agenda. Here, we explore the considerations and requirements that must underpin effective COVID-19 recovery planning in The Gambia, and propose strategic interventions. Much of the thinking will be applicable to the recovery journeys of other Least Developed Countries (LDCs).