By: Fatou Krubally
Hamat N.K. Bah, the Minister of Lands has called on African countries to embrace innovation, cooperation and peace as essential pillars for sustainable development and economic growth.
Hon. Bah who is also responsible for Regional Government and Religious Affairs was speaking during a press engagement at an international conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.
He described the host country’s transformation and development approach as a lesson for many nations, particularly in Africa.
He said the conversion of a former sports trading facility into a modern conference centre reflected the innovative thinking and determination of the people of Azerbaijan to maximise available resources for national development.
“I think it is a very positive and impressive presentation. The fact that they transformed this place into a conference centre shows the innovative ideas of the people of this country,” he said.
Bah noted that international conferences provide important opportunities for leaders to learn from one another’s experiences and exchange ideas on governance, development and investment.
“Meeting counterparts always gives positive dividends because you learn from their experiences and different approaches to development,” he stated.
The minister further highlighted the importance of innovative financing, saying many countries can no longer rely entirely on traditional funding from multinational institutions to implement development projects.
“In today’s world, innovative financing has become necessary for governments that want to sustain development,” he said.
Reflecting on the effects of conflict and instability, Bah praised the resilience of countries rebuilding after war and destruction, saying African nations must learn from such experiences and focus on unity and peaceful coexistence.
“We can only build and develop our countries if we live in peace,” he stressed.
He concluded by urging leaders across the continent to manage differences responsibly and create peaceful environments that would allow future generations to thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development.
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