Held in Samarkand, the Executive Council of UNWTO met for the 120th session to fulfil its statutory obligations and look ahead to a full two years of transforming the sector.
Namibia was elected to the Executive Council of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for the period 2023–2027. Namibia’s portfolio regarding its engagements and commitment to sustainable tourism are as follows:
Namibia had the privilege of hosting the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Brand Africa Conference in Windhoek. The conference aimed to leverage the potential of tourism as a cross-cutting sector for inclusive development. In collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Namibia held the 5th edition of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge, aimed at empowering African youth aged 18 to 35 by providing business partnerships, market access, networking, mentorship platforms, and funding solutions. Moreover, the United Nations World Tourism Organization has provided significant support to Namibia’s efforts in developing heritage tourism and youth empowerment.
The decision by Namibia to seek a seat on the United Nations World Tourism Organization Executive Council for the 2023–2027 term is a continuation of our collaboration and a commitment to championing sustainable tourism development globally.
Other New Members welcomed
The 120th session of the Executive Council was held in a clear spirit of international friendship and collaboration. In Samarkand, the Council thanked its outgoing Members for their service and active participation in helping guide the Organization over the past four years. Members also welcomed the new Members of the Council, namely Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Czechia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lithuania, Nigeria, Rwanda and Tanzania,
Saudi Arabia to continue as Chair
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will continue as Chair as the Executive Council for 2024. His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia, thanked all Members for their support and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing shared priorities and the Programme of Work. Secretary-General Pololikashvili thanked Saudi Arabia for their continued leadership and for his consistent and ongoing active support of the tourism sector.
Members also endorsed the Democratic Republic of Congo to serve as First Vice-Chair of the Council, and for Jamaica to serve as Second Vice-Chair.
Subsidiary bodies and looking ahead
The Council fulfilled its statutory obligations with elections to its subsidiary bodies, with a commitment to fair and equal representation of all global regions. Members voted on the countries that will serve on the UNWTO Programme and Budget Committee until 2025 or 2027, including representatives of the non-Council Member States and from the Affiliate Members Network. The composition of the Council’s Committees on statistics, competitiveness, sustainability and online education were also determined.
To conclude the meeting, Members agreed that the 121st Session of the UNWTO The Executive Council will take place in Prague, Czechia, in the first semester of 2024.