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

UNWTO Executive Council to Consider Members’ Requests for Russian Suspension

• All Regions
• 2 Mar 2022

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has convened an emergency session of its Executive Council in response to the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation. The session will be held in Madrid on 8 March.

Following the request of Colombia, Guatemala, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia and Ukraine for the suspension of the Russian Federation from membership of UNWTO, the UNWTO Secretary-General has called for an emergency session of the Executive Council to address the matter, in accordance with Rule 3.4 of the Council’s Rules of Procedure. The decision was made following consultations between the Secretary-General and the Chair of the Executive Council (Côte d´Ivoire).

The in-person Council session will be held on 8 March in Madrid. It is the first time in the Organization’s history that the Executive Council will address a request of this type.

Article 3 of the UNWTO Statutes states that the fundamental principles of the Organization are 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”.

UNWTO has unequivocally condemned the actions of the Russian Federation, noting that they are a clear breach of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity and contrary to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and UNWTO Statutes.

Related links

• Download the news release in PDF
• Emergency session of the Executive Council
• UNWTO Executive Council
• Tourism Raises its voice for Peace
• Governing Bodies

Category tags

Innovation, Sustainability and Digital Transformation: High-Level Panel in Andorra to Discuss Keys for the Future of Tourism

• All Regions, Europe
• 2 Mar 2022

11th edition of the World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism

Under the theme "A new approach to the future" the 11th edition of the World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism, will be held on 23-24 March in Andorra and will feature more than twenty international speakers who will explore innovative solutions for the development of sustainable snow and mountain tourism. This was announced today at a press conference in Madrid in which the Director of Tourism of the Government of Andorra, Sergi Nadal, and the Executive Director of the World Tourism Organization, Zoritsa Urosevic, participated.

Over the two days of this edition, more than 300 professionals from the tourism sector, leading experts and multiple institutional representatives are expected to attend and discuss issues such as the recovery of the sector, sustainable development, the promotion of digitalization, the demand for more local, authentic and sustainable experiences, the preservation of resources and investment in innovation, among other matters. Participants will include Damien Zisswiller, Director of Engineering and Development of Territories at Atout France; Leigh Barnes, Corporate Communications Manager of Intrepid Travel; Michele Rumiz, Director of Slow Food Travel; Jeremy Smith, co-founder of Tourism Declares a Climate Emergence; and Jordi Grau, chef of Restaurant Ibaya.

Organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Government of Andorra and the Parish of Canillo, the Congress is part of the celebrations of the United Nations International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development

At the press conference, Sandra Carvao, UNWTO’s Chief of Tourism Market Intelligence and Competitiveness highlighted: "At a time of new challenges we have to take the opportunity to rethink the contribution of tourism to the development of mountain regions. Together, we must find concrete solutions that bring benefits and opportunities to communities, structured around sustainability and innovation to ensure a balance with the fragile environment of the mountains."

Sergi Nadal, Director of Tourism of the Government of Andorra, said that "the driving force of the digital transformation for the reactivation of tourism is a key element for the future of the sector. This year, with the aim of aligning ourselves with this objective, the Congress will bring together top international to share experiences and new models that are being promoted around the world". Likewise, Nadal underlined the strategic role of Andorra and pointed out that "for the country and, especially, for Canillo, as host parish, it is a pleasure to once again serve as the venue this year of this leading event for the tourism sector and, especially, for snow and mountain tourism".

Reactivation and new trends

The inauguration of the 11th World Congress of Snow and Mountain Tourism will be presided by Xavier Espot Zamora, Head of Government of Andorra, Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General, and Francesc Camp Torres, Mayor of Canillo.

The Congress includes a high-level round table on the recovery and the future outlook for mountain destinations, which will serve as a framework to align actors from all sectors and frontiers with regard to policies and actions. The necessary policies to advance mountain tourism will be discussed by Mr. Fernando Valdés, Secretary of State for Tourism of Spain, Mr. Jordi Torres Falcó, Minister of Tourism and Telecommunications of Andorra; Mr. Simon Zajc, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of Slovenia; and Ms. Sofia Zacharaki, Minister of Tourism of Greece.

 

To address the main topics, the meeting will be divided into four sessions that will discuss digital transformation and the tourism of the future; gastronomy and sustainable consumption; innovative experiences in mountain destinations; and the growing consumer demand for the sustainability of destinations. In addition, in the context of the Congress, UNWTO will present, together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the recently published report on Sustainable Mountain Tourism

World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism
The Congress is an initiative of the seven parishes and the Government of Andorra, together with the UNWTO, with the aim of constituting a forum for permanent debate on the development and sustainability of tourism in mountain areas. Held biennially, the first edition took place in 1998 in Escaldes-Engordany and, since then, each edition is organized in a different parish. 

Related links

• Download the news release in PDF
• For more information
• 11th World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism
• Mountain Tourism