{"id":6457,"date":"2023-10-12T10:16:45","date_gmt":"2023-10-12T10:16:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelcommunication.net\/?p=32500"},"modified":"2023-10-12T10:16:45","modified_gmt":"2023-10-12T10:16:45","slug":"unwto-to-host-worlds-top-tourism-authorities-at-crucial-general-assembly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelindex.org\/media\/global-travel-news\/unwto-to-host-worlds-top-tourism-authorities-at-crucial-general-assembly\/","title":{"rendered":"UNWTO to Host World\u2019s Top Tourism Authorities at Crucial General Assembly"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"UNWTO<\/a>Samarkand, Uzbekistan, October 11, 2023 \/ TRAVELINDEX \/ With only a few days to go until the start of its 25th General Assembly, sector leaders have joined international organizations in commending UNWTO\u2019s role in guiding tourism through crisis and into recovery and transformation.<\/p>\n

High-level delegates and Ministers from more than 150 countries are expected in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, for the\u00a025th session of the General Assembly<\/a>\u00a0(18-19 October). Held every two years, the supreme governing body of UNWTO will once again bring Member States from every global region together to debate and advance the Organization’s Programme of Work and address the biggest challenges facing tourism right now.<\/p>\n

Leaders Welcome the Assembly<\/h2>\n

Ahead of the event, key figures from leading international organizations, including from across the United Nations, have expressed their recognition of UNWTO’s role and affirmed their interest in the upcoming General Assembly.<\/p>\n

UN Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres<\/strong>, says: “Tourism brings progress. As one of the biggest sectors in the global economy, it has great power to bridge cultures, generate new opportunities and promote sustainable development. But tourism is also impacted by interlinked global challenges. I know that we can count on the UN World Tourism Organization to carry this vision forward and together, build a better future, for people and planet.”<\/p>\n

Rebeca Grynspan<\/strong>, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development\u00a0(UNCTAD)<\/strong>, said: “The significance of tourism as a tool for economic development cannot be overstated\u2026 The Member States of UNWTO are admirably working to transform tourism and build a more resilient and sustainable sector. (UNCTAD) will continue to work closely with UNWTO around our shared goals and vision.”<\/p>\n

Juan Carlos Salazar<\/strong>, Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization\u00a0(ICAO)<\/strong>\u00a0says: “Thanks to new technologies and our shared commitments to innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurship, UNWTO and ICAO will continue to leverage the full potential of global tourism growth to empower young people with high-value jobs and to lead other industry sectors by example, focused on people, planet and prosperity.”<\/p>\n

European Commission<\/strong>\u00a0Vice-President\u00a0Margaritis Schinas<\/strong>, says: “Tourism in Europe and around the world has rebounded strongly from the devastating effects of COVID-19. However, amidst this discovery we must not forget the lessons of the pandemic nor ignore the global challenges our economies and societies continue to face\u2026 there is no better place to do so than the uniquely diverse gathering of global tourism leaders across the public, private, non-profit, and academic sectors, that personify the UNWTO General Assembly.”<\/p>\n

Advancing UNWTO Programme of Work<\/h2>\n

The General Assembly will see Member States discuss debate and approve the UNWTO Programme of Work. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili will also present his Report to all Members, highlighting how core priorities have been advanced over the past two years, with a special focus on tourism investments, education and innovation.<\/p>\n

Within the framework of the General Assembly, UNWTO will also convene several of its key statutory bodies and bring together sector leaders for thematic events focused on its main priorities for the sector right now:<\/p>\n