Gunjur’s Lamin Jassey Attends UN Ocean Conference in France

Lamin Jassey, Executive Director of the Gunjur Conservationists and Ecotourism Association (GCEA), is currently attending the ongoing United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France.

Jassey, who is representing The Gambia on the international stage, will speak at the two high-level sessions at the global summit. He will address pressing issues facing coastal communities like Gunjur, including climate change, pollution, and the exclusion of grassroots voices from key environmental decision-making spaces.

Speaking as one of the featured “ocean defenders,” Jassey will deliver a passionate message highlighting the struggles and resilience of communities that live by and depend on the ocean.

“In Gunjur and across many coastal regions, we are witnessing first-hand the impacts of climate change and environmental harm. But we are not helpless - because we are organising, resisting, and offering real solutions,” he will say at the global audience of policymakers, environmental advocates, and fellow ocean defenders.

The 2025 UN Ocean Conference, held from June 9 to 13, brings together leaders from around the world to tackle the growing crisis facing the world’s oceans. Lamin’s presence among these global changemakers is not only a personal achievement but a source of immense pride for Gunjur.

As part of his participation, Jassey will share stories of community-led conservation efforts in Gunjur, highlighting how local knowledge and leadership are essential for sustainable ocean governance.

The sessions he joined also featured allies from international organisations who support environmental defenders. Together, they will call for stronger global cooperation and more inclusive policymaking that recognises and uplifts grassroots voices.

Lamin’s contribution to this global platform shines a spotlight on Gunjur’s environmental work and sends a clear message: local communities like ours are leading the way in ocean protection - and the world is starting to listen.