Spokesman Report
Islamabad: On February 26, 2024, at the UN Headquarters in New York City, the General Assembly of the Organization unanimously approved the Resolution “2027 – the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism”.
Over 80 member countries of the Organization are co-authors of the resolution initiated by the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Experts from leading countries such as Russia, China, the United States, Türkiye, Germany, the United Kingdom, the EU delegation, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Egypt, Brazil, and Argentina actively participated in the consultations to agree on the document’s text. Representatives of UN member states noted the timeliness and relevance of the presentation of this resolution.
The main goal of the document is entirely based on the thesis put forward by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Samarkand session of the UNWTO General Assembly in October 2023 on the sustainability and flexibility of the tourism sector to new problems and challenges of our time.
The resolution enshrines the principles voiced by the President of Uzbekistan on the vital role of tourism in preserving the rich cultural heritage of various civilizations, strengthening peace and tolerance, and respecting peoples’ values.
Particular attention is paid to developing green tourism to preserve the environment and biodiversity and reduce air pollution.
The document resolves to announce 2027 as the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism and calls on UNWTO and governments, UN agencies, and regional organizations to take comprehensive measures for its successful implementation.
The resolution highlights the importance of developing sustainable tourism, including ecotourism, which can contribute to achieving the SDGs, economic growth, full employment, rural development, and improving the livelihoods of rural people.
The resolution encourages all stakeholders to actively promote sustainable and resilient tourism as an essential tool for poverty eradication, promoting the participation of women, youth, older persons, and persons with disabilities, expanding economic opportunities, and creating decent jobs and income sources.
The document resolves that UNWTO will inform the UN General Assembly at its 83rd session (2028) on the implementation of this resolution, with particular attention to the assessment of the implementation of the International Year.
According to experts, the resolution put forward by Uzbekistan will mark the beginning of a new stage in the development of the tourism industry at the global level.