Chapter III. PLEDGES The Government of Gambia pledges to: 1. The Government of Gambia established the Gambia Refugee Commission serving to assess international protection needs for asylum-seekers in the Gambia. The Government of Gambia is thankful to UNHCR for its commitment in providing capacity building and logistical support for the setting up of the commission and asks UNHCR to continue its efforts on capacity building activities for the staff members of the Commission on Refugee Law and International Protection to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR. At the same time, the Government recognizes that the appointment of its president/chair-person and board members is yet to take place. The government of Gambia therefore pledges to ensure its continuous commitment to expedite the full establishment of the Refugee Board which will serve as the basis for the establishment of a fair and efficient asylum system. 2. The Government of Gambia's ratification of the Kampala Convention for IDPs in 2011 through both houses of the Gambia National Assembly marks the importance placed by the Government on the issue of internally displaced persons. The Government of Gambia pledges to continue lobbying in parliament for a similar adoption and ratification of the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, to which it is not yet a party. 3. Liberian refugees (713 as of 30 September 2011) constitute the second largest refugee group following Senegalese refugees in the Gambia. In light of the upcoming cessation clause, the Government of Gambia will together with UNHCR continue to work towards finding durable solutions through the implementation of a comprehensive strategy for Liberian refugees. Following the Sierra Leone cessation and local integration process, the Government of Gambia is well conversant with the cessation process and is fully supportive of any plans UNHCR may have for facilitating Liberian refugees' legal integration. The Gambian Government pledges to continue its efforts to secure legal status for refugees wishing to locally integrate by the provision of a residence and work permit that allow ceased Liberian refugees to legally reside in the Gambia and to gain employment. 73