Samarkand, the southeastern part of Uzbekistan and melting pots of culture, is hosting the 25th UNWTO General Assembly, which opens on Monday (October 16).

Aside from the plenary sessions and many other engagements, the General Assembly will host two thematic forums – on education and on investments – in line with the organisation's core priorities. The event wil run till October 20.

The UNWTO General Assembly is the key event for the future of tourism. Global leaders are gathering to shape the way forward for a tourism sector that works for people and planet, said a statement.

With tourism high on the political agenda like never before, UNWTO is leading the shift in tourism communications, with a greater focus on the sector's unique power as a driver of development and opportunity.

For this reason, the organisation has brought together global branding experts, journalists and content creators to rethink narratives around tourism communications.

Known as the ‘crossroads of cultures’, Samarkand will host its first major UN Tourism event, and this week will be a beehive of activities as the tourism sector charts a new path to an accelerated recovery.

Home to splendid portals, vast coloured domes, and remarkable exterior decorations in majolica, mosaic, marble, and gold of the architectural heritage, Samarkand was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001.

UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, said: “The UNWTO General Assembly gathers at a vital moment both for the tourism sector as well as for our societies. Tourism has weathered the biggest storm in its history, and we are now well on course to a return to pre-pandemic levels of international arrivals by the end of this year.

“At the same time, however, we must urgently face up to new challenges, most notably a mounting climate crisis, economic uncertainty and persisting geopolitical tensions. We can and must fulfil our duty to deliver on tourism's potential as a source of sustainable development, opportunity, and understanding. I thank our generous hosts for their warm hospitality, and I look forward to a productive and inspiring General Assembly."

Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan and Deputy Chair of the Government Commission on Tourism Development, Aziz Abdukhakimov, said: “The leadership and Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan recognise tourism as a strategic sector of the national economy with significant potential for economic growth, improvement of people's well-being, particularly local communities, and support for the most vulnerable ones.

“Committed to the further advancement of sustainable and green tourism, the country seeks to promote its tourism brand through infrastructure diversification, widening its tourism product, and enhancement of the quality of tourism services. The Government of Uzbekistan is pleased to welcome all stakeholders of the global tourism market, including tourism authorities, private sector, academia, and others, in the fabulous city of Samarkand.”

United Nations Secretary General AntÓnio Guterres, said: “We must harness the full potential of tourism to get back on track to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. That requires investing in sustainable and inclusive tourism – adopting zero emission pathways; protecting the environment and biodiversity; creating decent jobs; and contributing to resilient social protection systems.

“I know that we can count on the UN World Tourism Organisation to carry this vision forward and together, build a better future, for people and planet. I wish you a successful General Assembly.”

Highlights

From plenary meetings to education and investments forums and much more, the General Assembly is a platform to discuss all things tourism. The goals of the General Assembly include: to advance the work of the world's leading tourism organisation, share knowledge, collaborate and provide real solutions to the problems being faced by the sector.

European tourism leaders will gather at its 69th UNWTO Regional Commission meeting ahead of the opening of the General Assembly. The meeting offers the group the opportunity to put forward other pressing matters ahead of the Assembly.

The 44th UNWTO Affiliate Members Plenary Session will usher in official activities at this year's General Assembly.

The Committee on Statistics will hold a high-level panel regarding a 360 data approach to empower tourism.

The Programme and Budget Committee ensures UNWTO is ready to respond to the sector's present and future challenges. -TradeArabia News Service