European tourism leaders gathered at the 25th session of the UNWTO General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to strengthen cooperation and set the course for the future of tourism in Europe. The meeting, hosted by the UNWTO Commission for Europe, included high-level representatives from nearly 40 European countries.
Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UNWTO, expressed gratitude to the Government of Uzbekistan for its warm welcome to all participants. He noted the cultural and historical significance of Samarkand as an inspiring backdrop for discussions on the future of European tourism, emphasizing the need to shape a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism sector.
A significant outcome of the meeting was the adoption of the "Agenda for Europe – Tourism Leading the Change," an initiative proposed by Greece during its tenure as Chair of the Commission for Europe. This agenda aims to boost tourism activities in Europe, enhance cooperation, and strengthen collaboration with other UNWTO regions. The proposed agenda was elaborated by a dedicated Working Group.
The "Agenda for Europe" was developed by a specialized Working Group, which included representatives from Armenia, Cyprus, Greece, Lithuania, Spain, Switzerland, and Ukraine, with Ukraine serving as the current Chair of the Commission for Europe. The Working Group collaborated with other European members and the Secretariat in this process. The Secretary-General will present this proposed agenda to the Executive Council and the General Assembly for consideration.
The establishment of the UNWTO Thematic Office for Tourism on the Silk Road in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, was also a key topic of discussion. Uzbekistan proposed this office to promote the Silk Road's role in global tourism, emphasizing its commitment to sustainable and resilient tourism development.
The Secretary-General unveiled the "Youth4Tourism: A Handbook to Champion Youth Participation in Tourism at the National Level," part of the Global Youth Tourism Platform. This initiative seeks to increase youth engagement in the tourism sector at the national level and provides guidelines for organizing events.
UNWTO signed a Cooperation Agreement with the Ministry of Culture and Moldova State University to implement Skills Training and Gender and Tourism Training under the "Empowering Young Women: Sustainable Livelihoods through Tourism" project in the Republic of Moldova.
Aziz Abdukhakimov, Deputy Chair of the Government Commission on Tourism Development and Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, underscored Uzbekistan's commitment to advancing sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism. He emphasized the importance of the tourism industry as a strategic contributor to prosperity, job creation, and societal connections.
As a part of the historic Silk Road, Uzbekistan is making comprehensive efforts to promote this tourist destination and is establishing the first UNWTO Thematic Office for Tourism on the Silk Road in Samarkand.
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