UN Climate Change COP29 Thematic Day on Tourism
20th November 2024, Baku, Azerbaijan
The inclusion of “Climate Action in Tourism” in the UN Climate Change COP29 Action Agenda for the first time, under the Presidency of Azerbaijan, represents a milestone for an important economic sector such as tourism. High-level meetings are scheduled to take place on 20th November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The COP29’s Presidential Initiative on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism has the objective to enhance the positioning of tourism climate action globally as a sectoral policy supporting national climate goals. The collaboration of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and UN Tourism, with support from UNEP, have been instrumental to this landmark achievement.
OBJECTIVES
Having recovered from the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism sector is taking enhanced responsibility for its social and environmental impacts, looking at sustainability as an interlinked element to competitiveness and resilience. Driving away from a business-as-usual scenario which could lead to tourism-related GHG emissions to increase at least by 25% by 2030 while accelerating adaptation efforts would be fundamental. At present 53% of UNFCCC Parties’ Nationally Determined Contributions recognize tourism as a vulnerable sector to the impacts of climate change.
As part of COP29’s Tourism Day, the following objectives have been outlined:
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Policy change: Launch of the Baku Declaration on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism, as a call to action to explore the inclusion of national tourism administrations’ contributions, as applicable, to developing and achieving the next set of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement and to enhance the integration of climate action in tourism policies.
Access the Baku Declaration (see Annex 9 on page 20). -
Sectoral engagement: Strengthening the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism as a voluntary commitment to support national climate goals, by increasing the number of national tourism administrations (and national tourism organizations) and tourism stakeholders making commitments to implement integrated climate mitigation and adaptation approaches.
Become a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration. -
Science-based approach: Positioning the UN Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST) as a tool to measure national tourism emissions, as it includes environmental data like greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy use as part of its essential pillars
Find out more about the UN Statistical Framework MST. -
Institutionalization: Launch of a global coordination and partnership mechanism for enhanced climate action in tourism across the UN System and key stakeholders to ensure coherence, alignment and greater impact of initiatives.
20th November 2024
First Ministerial Meeting on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism
09:00 – 11:00 (AZT)
Room: Meeting Room 20, Area D, Blue Zone
This meeting represents an opportunity for the tourism sector to showcase its critical role and advancements in addressing climate change, recognizing both its vulnerability to climate impacts and its potential to contribute to solutions, thus setting the stage for future collaboration, policy innovations and private sector engagement.
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Ministers will discuss the alignment of tourism policies with climate change mitigation and adaptation measures to ensure that tourism development contributes to national and global climate goals while building resilience, in line with the COP29 Declaration on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism.
The action framework proposed by the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism will be reflected upon, as well as the opportunity to advance the implementation of the UN Statistical Framework Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST) and the need for finance and innovation to transition to Net Zero tourism operations.
Family Photo (Heads of Delegations) Note: The photo will be taken at 8:45
Opening:
- COP29 President, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Mukhtar Babayev (statement available here)
- UN Tourism Secretary–General, Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili
- UNEP Executive Director, Ms. Inger Andersen
- UNFCCC Senior Director for Operations Coordination, Ms. Chhaya Kapilashrami
- Chairman, State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Fuad Naghiyev (statement available here)
Chaired by H.E. Mr. Fuad Naghiyev, Chairman, State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
List of Ministerial Participants and Key Stakeholders:
- H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, United Arab Emirates
- H.E. Mr. Celso Sabino, Minister of Tourism, Federative Republic of Brazil (statement available here)
- HRH Princess Dana Firas, President, Petra National Trust, Special Envoy for the Climate Heritage Network, and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (statement available here)
- H.E. Mr. Sergey Kovalchuk, Minister of Sports and Tourism, Republic of Belarus (statement available here)
- H.E. Mr. Franz Tattenbach, Minister of Environment and Energy, Republic of Costa Rica
- H.E. Mr. Petr Kulhánek, Minister of Regional Development, Czech Republic (statement available here)
- H.E. Mr. Reza Salehi Amiri, Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Islamic Republic of Iran (statement available here)
- H.E. Mr. Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, Republic of Maldives
- H.E. Ms. Simonida Kordić, Minister of Tourism, Montenegro (statement available here)
- H.E. Mr. Zoran Ljutkov, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Republic of North Macedonia (statement available here)
- Mr. Yerzhan Yerkinbayev, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Republic of Kazakhstan (statement available here)
- Mr. Ageel Alshaibani, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Tourism, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Mr. Dunstan Kitandula, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, United Republic of Tanzania (statement available here)
- Mr. Nadir Alpaslan, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Türkiye
- Mr. Obidjon Kudratov, First Deputy Minister, Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, Republic of Uzbekistan (statement available here)
- Mr. David Forné Massoni, Secretary of State for Energy Transition, Transport and Mobility, Andorra (statement available here)
- Mr. Andreï Christol, State Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Republic of Moldova
- Ms. Lídia Bulcão Dutra, Secretary of State, Ministry of Economy, Portuguese Republic
- Mr. Douty Chibamba, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Zambia
- Mr. Takaruza Munyanyiwa, Secretary for Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Republic of Zimbabwe
- Ms. Masruroh, Senior Advisor to the Minister in Business Development, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Indonesia
- Dr. Amina Al Balushi Abdullah, Advisor for research and studies, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman
- Mr. John Chirchir Changwony, Deputy Director of the Department of Market Development, Kenya Tourism Board
- Mr. Maksat Usubaliev, Director of the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, Kyrgyz Republic
- Ms. Nayla Al-Qahtani, Legal specialist, Qatar Tourism, State of Qatar
- Ms. Prabashini Manjula Alwis Weerakkody, Director, Domestic Tourism and Community Relations Department, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
- Ms. Diana Walker, Senior Advisor, Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, the United States of America
- H.E. Mr. Ahmad Kamrizamil bin Mohd Riza, Ambassador, Embassy of Malaysia to the Republic of Azerbaijan
- H. E. Mr. Ilhom Abdurahmon, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Republic of Azerbaijan
- Ms. Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary – General and CEO, Caribbean Tourism Organization representing Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Mr. Christopher Cocker, CEO, Pacific Tourism Organization representing Fiji, Nauru, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu
- Mr. Young Tae Kim, Secretary – General, International Transport Forum, OECD (statement available here)
- Ms. Julia Simpson, President and CEO, World Travel and Tourism Council
- Mr. Glenn Mandziuk, CEO, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
Moderators for country interventions: Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director, UN Tourism and Mr. Kanan Gasimov, Head of Administration, State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Launch of COP29 Declaration on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism and Closing Remarks:
- Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Fuad Naghiyev
- UN Tourism Secretary – General, Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili
High-level Roundtable 1: Raising the Climate Ambition of the Tourism Sector – from commitments to implementation (measurement and decarbonization)
11:30 – 13:00 (AZT)
Room: Side Event Room 4, Area B, Blue Zone
In line with the measurement and decarbonization pathways proposed by the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, this session will explore the importance and complexity of measurement and decarbonization strategies in tourism. As the global tourism sector strives to reduce its GHG emissions, key stakeholders will highlight the progress made in implementing effective decarbonization pathways. Academia, policymakers and private sector representatives will showcase methodologies and tools for measuring GHG emissions.
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Opening:
- Mr. Kanan Gasimov, Head of Administration, State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
- Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director, UN Tourism
Keynote:
The UN Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism: A harmonized methodology to measure energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for tourism
- Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director, UN Tourism
Progress Update Glasgow Declaration:
Key takeaways from the Implementation Report 2024 of the Glasgow Declaration: Measurement and Decarbonization pathways
- Ms. Virginia Fernández-Trapa, Programme Coordinator, Sustainable Tourism and Resilience, UN Tourism
Panel discussion:
Moderator: Professor Xavier Font, University of Surrey
- Ms. Liisa Kokkarinen, Head of Sustainable Development, Visit Finland
- Ms. Kathrine L. Johansen, Chief Advisor, Centre for Regional and Tourism Research, Denmark
- Dr. Ya-Yen Sun, Associate Professor, University of Queensland
- Mr. Matt Callaghan, Chief Operating Officer, easyJet holidays
- Ms. Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President, Advocacy & Communications, World Travel and Tourism Council
- Ms. Sally Davey, CEO, Travalyst
- Ms. Inge Huijbrechts, Chief Sustainability and Security Officer, Radisson
High Level Roundtable 2: Raising the Climate Ambition of the Tourism Sector – from commitments to implementation (regeneration/adaptation and finance)
14:00 – 15:30 (AZT)
"Earth" Conference Room, Green Zone
In line with the regeneration and finance pathways proposed by the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, this session will delve into the intersection of regeneration/adaptation efforts and innovative financing models. With a focus on how tourism can actively contribute to climate resilience and ecosystem regeneration, this event will highlight successful interventions from tourism stakeholders. Academia, policymakers and private sector representatives will center on the need for tourism to engage more deeply in sustainable food systems, biodiversity conservation, and nature-positive initiatives, as well as on the vital role of financing to scale up climate action
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Opening:
- Mr. Kanan Gasimov, Head of Administration, State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
- Mr. Dilyor Khakimov, Director, Institutional Relations, Partnerships and Advocacy, UN Tourism
Keynote:
Climate Finance Innovation for Tourism Economies
- Professor Dr. Nazia M Habib, Founder and Director, Centre for Resilience and Sustainable Development, University of Cambridge
Progress Update Glasgow Declaration:
Key takeaways from the Implementation Report 2024 of the Glasgow Declaration: Regeneration and Finance pathways
- Ms. Roxana Ashtari, Senior Project Specialist, Sustainable Tourism and Resilience, UN Tourism
Panel discussion:
Moderator: Dr Willy Legrand, Professor, IU International University of Applied Sciences, Germany
- Ms. Chompan Kulnides, Chief Sustainability Officer, Minor International
- Mr. Thomas Mills, Senior Climate Expert, Booking Holdings
- Mr. Jeremy Sampson, CEO, The Travel Foundation
- Dr. Anne Kathrin Zschieger, Executive Director, The Long Run
- Mr. Rusmir Musić, Operations Officer – Global Cooling Lead, Climate Business Department, International Finance Corporation
- Mr. Dominique Perron, EMEIA International Development Leader, Ernst & Young
- Mr. Randy Durband, CEO, Global Sustainable Tourism Council
Featured Presentation 1: From Tourism Measurement to Destination Management: How Destination Management Organizations Can Leverage Data to Foster Sustainable Tourism
15:00 – 15:30 (AZT)
Location: F18, Green Zone (Behind Trendyol Stand)
Mr. Oliver Ponti, Director of Intelligence & Marketing, ForwardKeys
Featured Presentation 2: Drivers of Tourism Emissions, Scientific Research on GHG emissions from Tourism Operations
15:35 – 15:50 (AZT)
Location: F18, Green Zone (Behind Trendyol Stand)
Dr. Ya-Yen Sun, Associate Professor, University of Queensland
High Level Roundtable 3: Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism: Innovative Solutions and Way Forward (organized in collaboration with COP29)
16:00 – 17:00 (AZT)
"Earth" Conference Room, Green Zone
This closing panel, organized in collaboration with COP29, will synthesize insights from earlier discussions, focusing on practical and innovative solutions that can accelerate the tourism sector's climate action. Building on the policy alignment and commitments shared during the Ministerial Meeting and the strategic pathways explored in the High-Level Roundtables on measurement, decarbonization, regeneration, and finance, this session aims to forge a collective vision for the future of climate-resilient tourism. Panelists will outline transformative actions to propel tourism's climate ambition from commitments to impactful outcomes, discussing synergies across sectors and tools to enhance collaboration, scale finance, and deploy regenerative and adaptive practices at pace and scale. This panel will set the stage for a coordinated approach, fostering resilience and low-carbon tourism development worldwide.
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Panel discussion:
Moderator: Ms. Virginia Fernández-Trapa, Programme Coordinator, Sustainable Tourism and Resilience, UN Tourism
- Ms. Gunay Bayramova, Head of Division, Tourism Policy and Strategy, State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan
- Mr. Heitor Kadri, Head of the International Relations Department, Ministry of Tourism, Brazil
- Ms. Erika Harms, Global Sustainability Director, Iberostar Group
- Ms. Shannon Guihan, Chief Sustainability Officer, The Travel Corporation
- Ms. Amy Lewis, Climate Change Operations Senior Specialist, Inter-American Development Bank
Closing:
- Mr. Kanan Gasimov, Chief of Cabinet, State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
- Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director, UN Tourism (tbc)
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