At the second thematic event of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly which was held at the UN Headquarters within the framework of Sustainability Week, the focus was on the critical role of tourism in advancing sustainable development and resilience.
Speaking at the General Assembly, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili in his address said, the growing significance of the tourism sector for our societies and our economies brings with it extra responsibility. We cannot allow the lifeline of tourism to be cut again. Resilience in the tourism is not just a matter of planning or reacting to crises. It is also about proactively – addressing the underlying factors of those crises. Unsustainable consumption is leading to biodiversity loss, climate change and the emergence of pandemics. Its vital that we adopt policies that accelerate transformative change.
Also, the President of the General Assembly, His Excellency Dennis Francis, said: We need a global tourism sector that is sustainable “ one with deep local value chains that expand demand for locally made products and services in ways that also directly and positively benefit local communities; a sector that serves as a positive force for biodiversity conservation, heritage protection and climate friendly livelihoods.
The event, attended by Member States, Observers, civil society organisations, and UN agencies, reflected a growing collective commitment to harnessing the transformative power of tourism for inclusive and sustainable development.
The event provided a platform for Member States to share best practices, strategies, and innovative approaches to promote sustainable and resilient tourism, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key highlights included:
. Fireside Chat: The Future of Tourism – Leaders from the tourism industry, academia, and civil society engaged in a dynamic discussion on the future of tourism and the need for innovative solutions to address emerging challenges and opportunities.
. Ministerial Roundtables: Discussions were held on the launch of the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism and strategies for fostering resilient tourism in the face of global challenges. Ministers and high-level officials shared insights and commitments to advance sustainable tourism practices and policies.