UNWTO Gears Up to Host World’s Top Tourism Authorities at Crucial General Assembly

• All Regions
• 10 Oct 2023

With one week to go until the start of its 25th General Assembly, sector leaders have joined international organizations in commending UNWTO’s role in guiding tourism through crisis and into recovery and transformation.

High-level delegates and Ministers from more than 150 countries are expected in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, for the 25th session of the General Assembly (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.

Leaders Welcome the Assembly

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.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, 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."

Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), said: "The significance of tourism as a tool for economic development cannot be overstated… 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."

Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) says: "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."

European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas, 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… 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."

Advancing UNWTO Programme of Work

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.  

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:

• The UNWTO Executive Council will meet for its 119th (17 October) and 120th (20 October) sessions. The Council's task is to take all necessary measures, in consultation with the Secretary-General, for the implementation of its own decisions and recommendations of the Assembly and report thereon to the Assembly.
• The UNWTO Regional Commission for Europe (16 October) will welcome Member States from the world's top regional destination by international arrival numbers, placing the focus on innovation, jobs and youth empowerment.
• The Plenary of Affiliate Members (16 October) will bring together representatives from the private sector, civil society and academia.
• The Investment Forum (17 October) and Education Forum (19 October) will feature high-level dialogue around key UNWTO priorities, strengthening public-private partnerships around shared goals.
• UNWTO's Best Tourism Villages 2023 will be named in Samarkand, highlighting the best examples of tourism for rural development.

Related links:

• Download the News Release on PDF
• 25th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly

Category tags

World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Members Vote to Suspend Russia

• All Regions
• 27 Apr 2022

The Russian Federation has been suspended from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), losing with immediate effect its rights and privileges as part of the United Nations specialized agency.

Meeting for a first extraordinary UNWTO General Assembly, Members debated the suspension of Russia from the Organization, as decided by the UNWTO Executive Council at its emergency meeting last month. The Russian delegation declined to step up and defend its position, and instead announced its withdrawal from UNWTO before the debate took place.

The Assembly voted in favor of suspension, far exceeding the two-third majority required. The decision is effective immediately, while voluntary withdrawal is only effective one year after a Member submits an official communication through the appropriate channels.

Tourism is a pillar of peace and international friendship, and Members of UNWTO must uphold these values or face consequences, with no exceptions.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “UNWTO’s Members have sent a clear message: Tourism is a pillar of peace and international friendship, and Members of UNWTO must uphold these values or face consequences, with no exceptions. This emergency General Assembly shows that Russia’s actions are indefensible and contrary to the very principles of UNWTO and of international governance.”

Loss of rights and privileges

In total, 99 countries were represented in Madrid. According to Article 3 of the Statutes, all Members commit to developing tourism with a “view to contributing to economic development, international understanding, peace, prosperity, and universal prospect for, and observance of, human rights”.

Effective immediately, the Russian Federation will not be able to exercise the rights or enjoy the privileges of UNWTO membership. This means it will not be able to receive services from the Organization, including Technical Assistance, nor will the Russian Federation be able to participate in any UNWTO meetings or events, be permitted to put forward any candidates to serve on UNWTO’s statutory bodies, or to vote in elections to UNWTO organs or to propose a candidate to serve as Secretary-General.

Fulfilling Members’ requests

The first emergency session of the General Assembly was convened at the request of six Members and at the instruction of the UNWTO Executive Council. The UNWTO Secretariat then provided a comprehensive report to the General Assembly for Member States to take an informed decision in relation to Russian Federation’s suspension from membership, following the Organization´s Statutes.

The UNWTO Statutes state that any Member State may be suspended if two-thirds of their fellow Members believe them to be persisting in a policy that is contrary to the fundamental aim of the Organization. A majority of two-thirds of Full Members present and voting at the General Assembly is required for a motion for suspension of membership to pass. Suspension is temporary and may be lifted, though only by the General Assembly and following the same procedure.

Related Links

• Download the news release in PDF
• UNWTO Basic Documents, Volume I ‐ Statutes, Rules of Procedure, Agreements
• First Extraordinary Session of the General Assembly

Category tags

UNWTO to Hold Extraordinary General Assembly on Russian Membership

• All Regions
• 8 Mar 2022

The UNWTO Executive Council has decided to hold an extraordinary UNWTO General Assembly to address the suspension of the membership of the Russian Federation. The first ever Extraordinary UNWTO General Assembly will be convened in the coming days. This was the first time in the history of UNWTO that the Executive Council met to address a request to consider suspending a Member from the Organization.

Held in Madrid at the request of several UNWTO Members, the Executive Council met amid ongoing global concern and condemnation for the unilateral actions of the Russian Federation.

“War is never a solution! Not now, and not ever. But it is evident that not everybody is committed to this ideal,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. He added: “For this reason, UNWTO – and me as the voice of the Organization – must be loud and clear: If you are a Member, then you commit to our rules. And you must embrace our values. So, when Members go against our goals, there must be consequences.”

War is never a solution! Not now, and not ever. But it is evident that not everybody is committed to this ideal

The aggression against Ukraine is inconsistent with the United Nations Charter and contravenes the fundamental aim of the UNWTO as enshrined in Article 3 of its Statutes, which states the “promotion and development of tourism with a view to contributing to economic development, international understanding, peace, prosperity and universal respect for, and observance of, human rights”, as the fundamental principles of the Organization.

Strengthening global governance

UNWTO stands fully behind the resolution of the UN General Assembly and the vote of the UN Human Rights Council. The sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders must be upheld, and the call of the United Nations for peaceful resolution of the conflict, must be followed.

Last week, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of a Resolution demanding that Russia “immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders”. The UNGA reaffirmed the paramount importance of the UN Charter in the promotion of law among nations.  

Also last week, the UN Human Rights Council condemned the actions of the Russian Federation “in the strongest possible terms”. Its members voted in favour of establishing a special commission to investigate alleged human rights violations including possible war crimes in Ukraine.

In accordance with its Statutes, the UNWTO General Assembly alone has the sovereign responsibility to decide on the suspension of membership of any Member State, if it found that the Member persists in a policy contrary to the fundamental aims of the Organization, as enshrined in article 3 of its Statutes.

Relevant links:

• Download the news release in PDF
• Tourism Raises its voice for Peace
• UNWTO Executive Council to Consider Members’ Requests for Russian Suspension
• 2nd Emergency Session of the Executive Council

Category tags

24th UNWTO General Assembly: Tourism United, Resilient and Determined

• All Regions
• 8 Dec 2021

Over the course of three days, the 24th session of the UNWTO General Assembly underscored global tourism’s commitment to restarting around the shared pillars of sustainability, innovation and solidarity.

Representatives of 131 UNWTO Member States, including 59 Ministers and Vice-Ministers of Tourism, attended the Assembly in the Spanish capital, Madrid (30 November – 3 December). Alongside the participation of Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Ms. Reyes Maroto, the political support to UNWTO from the Spanish government was underlined with the presence of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares. On the eve of the General Assembly, the King of Spain Felipe VI expressed his recognition of tourism’s socio-economic relevance and appreciation of the role of UNWTO.

Unprecedented reach and recognition

UNWTO presented its accomplishments over the past two years since the last General Assembly, most notably guiding tourism through the biggest crisis in the history of the sector. Against this backdrop. members endorsed the Programme of Work for the coming biennium and voted strongly (77%) in favour of the Secretary-General serving a second term (2022- 2025). United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, as well as the leaders of key UN agencies UNWTO has been working with throughout the pandemic - WHO, ICAO and UNCTAD – delivered dedicated messages to UNWTO.

Power of youth and private sector

The General Assembly united Member States and Affiliate Members around a shared vision for the future of tourism and UNWTO itself. Members endorsed a landmark International Code for the Protection of Tourists, making clear the responsibilities every part of the sector has in assisting tourists in crisis situations and so helping restore trust in international travel.

Sustainable, inclusive future

Away from the Plenary Sessions for Members, the General Assembly also saw UNWTO bring Tourism Ministers and representatives from international organizations and the private sector together for a special Thematic Session on “Building for the Future: Innovation, Education and Rural Development”. Here, the winners of the UNWTO Global Rural Tourism Competition were announced, as was the first list of Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO, recognizing the power of new ideas to create opportunities outside of big cities and those destinations that are already leading the way in harnessing the power of tourism as a driver of recovery and sustainable development.

At the same time, the best young talent was also celebrated with the winners of the UNWTO Students’ League sharing their ideas alongside established sector leaders. And the role of UNWTO’s Affiliate Members in putting plans into action the ground was also emphasized. New Affiliate Members were welcomed and examples of effective public-private partnerships singled out, for helping tourism adapt to the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Members voted to hold the 25th Session of the General Assembly in 2023 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Before then, as also endorsed by Members, Bali in Indonesia will host World Tourism Day 2022, to be held around the timely theme of ‘Rethinking Tourism’, while the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be the host country for World Tourism Day 2023, to be held around the theme of ‘Tourism for Green Investment’.

Related links

• Download the news release in PDF
• 24th UNWTO General Assembly - Official Messages
• Building for the Future: Innovation, Education and Rural Developme
• UNWTO Announces List of ‘Best Tourism Villages’ 2021
• UNWTO Students’ League
• UNWTO Affiliate Members
• Green Investments for Sustainable Tourism

Category tags

UNWTO Points Tourism towards a Greener, Inclusive Future at General Assembly

• All Regions
• 2 Dec 2021

Innovation, youth empowerment and tourism and rural development took centre stage as Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez Pérez-Castejón joined UNWTO for the third day of its General Assembly in Madrid.

With the opening days of the most important meeting in global tourism focused on UNWTO’s response to the impacts of the pandemic and uniting Members behind its leadership and Programme of Work, the third day looked ahead to a more sustainable and inclusive future for the sector. Addressing a special Thematic Session, “Building for the Future: Innovation, Education and Rural Development”, Prime Minister Sánchez recognized the importance of the sector for providing opportunities outside of cities, both in Spain and worldwide, while also reaffirming his Government’s support for UNWTO’s mission.

Also addressing delegates, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “If we are serious about ‘leaving nobody behind’, then we must get serious about innovation, about education and about advancing tourism as a tool for rural development. That means empowering youth, supporting tourism talent, and also giving the best solutions the political and financial support they need to scale up and transform our sector.”

Ministers Advance Shared Vision for Sector

If we are serious about ‘leaving nobody behind’, then we must get serious about innovation, about education and about advancing tourism as a tool for rural development.

The session included a Ministerial Debate on ‘Politics to Foster Tourism for Rural Development’, with insights and inputs from the Ministers of Tourism for Colombia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Paraguay, Slovenia, Tanzania, Spain and Turkey. This was followed by a roundtable on entrepreneurship and innovation in innovation. Representing Members States were Ministers of Tourism from Chile, Greece, Japan, Jordan, Nigeria, Portugal and the United Arab Emirates, while the private sector was represented by winners of the UNWTO Global Rural Tourism Startup Competition. Concluding, a discussion on empowering the tourism leaders of the future, with reference to the UNWTO Students’ League, featured contributions from the Ministers of Tourism for Bulgaria, Lebanon, Maldives and Oman, as well as students themselves.

As well as looking to the future, the General Assembly also celebrated destinations that are already leading the way in making tourism a pillar of rural development and opportunity. From hundreds of entries, 44 villages from 32 countries were named as Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO.  

Uzbekistan to host 25th General Assembly

In addition to the Thematic Session, the third day of the 24th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly once again saw Members meet to discuss and approve the Programme of Work for the next two years. On the agenda was the UNWTO leadership’s determination to move the Secretariat closer to Member States, as exemplified by the first Regional Office for the Middle East, opened in June this year and ratified by Member States at the General Assembly. Several Members expressed a wish to host future Regional Offices and so serve as hubs for UNWTO’s work in their regions.

Members voted for Uzbekistan to host the 25th UNWTO General Assembly, scheduled to be held in 2023 and agreed to examining plans to create a new taskforce to ‘Redesign Tourism for the Future’. Additionally, Bali in Indonesia was confirmed as host for World Tourism Day 2022, to be held around the timely theme of ‘Rethinking Tourism’, while the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were similarly confirmed as the host country for World Tourism Day 2023, to be held around the year of ‘Tourism for Green Investments’.

The General Assembly also fulfilled its obligation with regards to elections, with Member States supporting nominations for new members to serve on the World Committee on Tourism Ethics. Furthermore, 17 countries were confirmed to sit on the UNWTO Executive Council from 2021 to 2025, with Puerto Rico to serve as the representative of Affiliate Members.  

Related Links

• Download the news release in PDF
• General Assembly - Twenty-fourth session
• 24th UNWTO General Assembly | Thematic Session
• UNWTO Announces List of ‘Best Tourism Villages’ 2021
• UNWTO Students’ League

Category tags

UNWTO Members Support Leadership and Back Plan for Tourism’s Future

• All Regions
• 1 Dec 2021

The Member States of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have strongly aligned themselves behind its leadership and vision for the sector. Coming together for the 24th General Assembly in Madrid, Spain, Members from every global region approved the Organization’s Programme of Work and endorsed key initiatives designed to build a more a resilient, inclusive and sustainable tourism.

The General Assembly has brought together more than 1,000 delegates from 135 countries, including 84 Ministers of Tourism as well as business leaders, destinations and representatives of key international organizations. Opening the General Assembly, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili cited the spirit of solidarity and determination that has defined tourism’s response to an unprecedented crisis. In presenting his Report to Members, he made clear how a focus on collaboration and harmonization of protocols, political advocacy and securing financial support for tourism, have help the sector mitigate the impacts of the pandemic and laid the foundations for tourism’s restart in many parts of the country.

UN and International Community Backing

We must make the most of this opportunity – to transform goodwill into concrete support

Mr Pololikashvili said: “In every global region, the pandemic has made clear the importance of our sector – for economic growth, for jobs and trade, and for protecting natural and cultural heritage. We must make the most of this opportunity – to transform goodwill into concrete support.”

Emphasizing the significance of the General Assembly, as well as UNWTO’s elevated stature within the global agenda, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed delegates and called for them to work together for a “green, inclusive, sustainable” future. Mr Guterres added: “I commend UNWTO and Secretary-General Pololikashvili and hope the decisions taken at the General Assembly will help restore trust in travel and get the world moving safely do developing economies can reap the benefits of sustainable tourism.”

The United Nations Secretary-Generals words of support were echoed by the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, by Rebeca Greenspan, Secretary-General, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), by Juan Carlos Salazar Gómez, Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization, and by Vice-President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas.

Alongside receiving an updated on UNWTO’s activities since the last General Assembly two years ago, Members also benefited from a comprehensive overview of the latest tourism trends, as indicated by UNWTO’s latest data, as well as an updated overview of restrictions on travel worldwide. From the floor of the Assembly, Members from different global regions expressed their solidarity with countries impacted by the continued imposition of travel restrictions. Also in Madrid, Member States voted in person to approve the UNWTO Executive Council’s nomination of Mr Pololikashvili to serve as Secretary-General for a second term. On the back of the strongly favorable vote, Mr Pololikashvili will lead UNWTO from 2022 to 2025.

UNWTO Again Welcomes Royal Approval

On the eve of the General Assembly, His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain praised UNWTO’s “outstanding work” leading global tourism, most notably over the past 18 months during the worst crisis in the sector’s history. At a special Royal Gala Dinner, His Majesty also emphasized the importance of tourism for economies and societies, both in Spain and globally, making the sector’s recovery essential for many millions of people.

Related link

• Download the news release in PDF
• General Assembly - Twenty-fourth session
• 24th UNWTO General Assembly | Photo Gallery
• UNWTO General Assembly Gets Underway in Madrid

Category tags

Spain to Become Centre of World Tourism for Three Days

• All Regions, Europe
• 25 Nov 2021

More than 500 delegates from around the world, including Ministers of Tourism of UNWTO Member States, international organizations, as well as leaders from the private sector and civil society, will participate in the meeting of the supreme governing body of this specialized agency of the United Nations.

On 1 to 3 December, Madrid will host the 24th General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), where the future of a strategic sector for many countries after the pandemic will be analysed, bearing in mind the commitment to a more inclusive and sustainable tourism.

Innovation, education and rural development

In line with the UNWTO's core priorities, the General Assembly will focus on building for the future through innovation, education and tourism for rural development.

In Madrid, the official headquarters of the UNWTO, the organization will launch its new initiative “Digital Futures Programme for SMEs”, designed to help small tourism businesses take advantage of the benefits of innovation.

In the UNWTO’s host city, Madrid, world tourism will come together to chart a future in which our sector can develop its unique potential as a pillar of growth, inclusive and opportunities for all

Likewise, the winners of the first edition of the UNWTO initiative “Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO” will be announced, recognizing the best examples of rural destinations that embrace tourism as a pillar of growth and opportunity, while the UNWTO 2021 Students’ League will celebrate the future of the sector.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili will present his report to the Members, outlining how the Organization has led the global tourism response to the unprecedented crisis caused by COVID-19, in particular by providing vital support for jobs and businesses and ensuring harmonized standards and protocols to restore confidence in travel. The report will also set out plans for a more inclusive and resilient future, including the revision of the UNWTO 2030 Agenda for Africa and the first International Code for the Protection of Tourists, also designed to restore confidence in travel.

The Secretary-General thanked the Spanish Government for offering to host the event, after the Kingdom of Morocco was forced to relinquish hosting it due to public health considerations. “In difficult circumstances, Spain has stepped forward to host this important General Assembly. In the UNWTO’s host city, Madrid, world tourism will come together to chart a future in which our sector can develop its unique potential as a pillar of growth, inclusive and opportunities for all” said the Secretary-General Pololikashvili.

The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism of Spain, Reyes Maroto, said: “It is an honour to be able to hold this Assembly in a country that is the host of the UNWTO and whose influence in tourism is so important. We value the role that the tourism of the future will play, marked by respect for the environment and a commitment to new tourism attractions beyond “sun-and-sand”. Spain is a leading country in world tourism and wants to continue to be so after the pandemic. We were pioneers in implementing the COVID Certificate and now our country is considered a safe destination. We will continue working to maintain high levels of quality and diversity in our tourism.”

Statutory meetings and elections

On the eve of the 24th session of the General Assembly, the Plenary Session of the Affiliate Members of the UNWTO will be held. At the session, private companies, destination management organizations, and representatives of civil society and academia will share initiatives for the recovery of tourism and ideas for sustainable growth. They are also expected to approve the revised legal framework for Affiliate Members, which will continue to promote UNWTO’s transition to a more agile, dynamic and responsive organization.

On that day, the UNWTO’s Programme and Budget Committee will meet to underline the Secretariat’s commitment to transparency.

At the The 24th General Assembly, the Members will also be asked to confirm the appointment of Secretary-General Pololikashvili for a second term, following the recommendation of the UNWTO Executive Council held earlier in the year. Likewise, the Members will also vote to decide on the themes of the 2022 and 2023 World Tourism Day celebrations, and the host country of the 25th General Assembly in 2023.

Related links:

• Download the news release in PDF
• 24th UNWTO General Assembly
• 24th General Assembly to Put Innovation and Education at Heart of Tourism’s Restart

Category tags

Official Visit to Morocco Initiates Preparations for UNWTO General Assembly

• Africa
• 5 Feb 2021

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Kingdom of Morocco met to advance the organization of the 24^th UNWTO General Assembly in October 2021, the first global high-level United Nations event to be held since the beginning of the pandemic.

Led by the Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, a delegation from UNWTO has concluded an official visit to Morocco to discuss the programme, calendar and facilities to be prepared for this statutory meeting that will focus on Education and Youth, Rural Development and Digital Innovation.

Tourism is adapting to the new reality and we face the future with optimism and with the backing of our Members

The Minister of Tourism of Morocco, Nadia Fettah Alaoui, and her team accompanied the delegation during this three-day visit and expressed their commitment to organizing an “historic” General Assembly to showcase the importance of restarting international tourism in a safe and more sustainable way.

The Prime Minister of Morocco, Saadeddine Othmani and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita welcomed the UNWTO Secretary-General in Rabat highlighting the importance of the celebration and the high-level support of the host country. The delegation was also received by the Governor of Marrakesh-Safi region, Karim Kassi Lahlou, and other local authorities and representatives of the private sector of the area that will be strongly involved in the preparations for this meeting.

Secretary-General Pololikashvili thanked the Prime Minister and his government for their “hard work” to ensure that the Assembly will be a success on the back of the unprecedented crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He said: “Tourism is adapting to the new reality and we face the future with optimism and with the backing of our Members.”

Related links

• Download in PDF
• UNWTO Regional Department for Africa
• UNWTO Governing Bodies

Category tags