Cruise ship carrying 311 tourists calls at Mozambique Island
Mozambique participates in the UN Tourism Executive Council meeting, held in Spain
11:38 CAT | 02 Jun 2025
File photo: Ministério da Economia
Mozambique participated in the 123rd Session of the UN Tourism Executive Council Meeting in Segovia, Spain, on May 29 and 30.
The Mozambican delegation was led by Secretary of State for Tourism Fredson Bacar, and included representatives from the Embassy of Mozambique in Spain and the Ministry of Economy.
Mozambique has participated in high-level meetings with candidates for the position of Secretary-General of UN Tourism (2026-2029); with investors and leaders of hotel chains; and with government representatives of countries such as Mexico, Greece, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates.
This action reinforces the commitment to position Mozambique as a tourist destination of excellence and a strategic partner in international forums.
The UN Tourism Executive Council assessed progress made around the priorities of innovation, investments and education and looked ahead with the nomination of Shaikha Al Nowais as new Secretary-General from 2026. Upon confirmation by the UN Tourism General Assembly, Ms. Shaikha Al Nowais will become the first woman to hold the position.
🌍 UN Tourism opened the 123rd Executive Council in La Granja, Spain, where global leaders came together to advance #tourism through cooperation, sustainability, and shared progress. pic.twitter.com/G2QlWmkW0D
— UN Tourism (@UNWTO) May 30, 2025
📢 At the 123rd Executive Council in La Granja, Member States names Shaikha Al Nowais as its nominee for Secretary-General of UN Tourism, marking the start of a new chapter in global #tourism leadership.
🔗https://t.co/FlAAzuUefR#BringingTheWorldCloser pic.twitter.com/mCRfgJLVov
— UN Tourism (@UNWTO) May 30, 2025
Shaikha Al Nowais nominated to make history as first female UN Tourism head
Following protocol, the Council elected Shaikha Al Nowais as the next Secretary-General, to begin in January 2026. Her nomination will be put to the UN Tourism General Assembly for their approval. The nomination represents a landmark first for the sector, as the first woman leader of UN Tourism in its 50-year history.
Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais is an Emirati business leader with over 16 years of experience in global hospitality. As Corporate Vice President at Rotana Hotels, she has overseen owner relations across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkey. A graduate of Zayed University in Finance, she also chairs the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s Tourism Working Group and serves on the boards of the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council and Les Roches Hospitality Academy.
Celebrating shared progress
In Segovia, Secretary-General Pololikashvili presented a comprehensive report reviewing the outcomes of his eight-year mandate. The report was built around the main outcomes of the approved Programme of Work, namely:
- Tourism Insights, including Key data trends shaping the industry’s future.
- Tourism Knowhow, including the development of tourism products.
- Investments and Innovation, supporting the core drivers of growth
- Sustainability, with a focus on initiatives aligning with the SDGs.
- Education and Human Capital development to build a strong, skilled workforce.
- UN Tourism on the ground and its assistance to Member States.
Budget allocation and Human Resources.
Highlights included strengthened tourism data systems, expanded rural tourism initiatives (including the Best Tourism Villages and STAR tool), new programming in gastronomy, sports, and urban tourism, and the integration of Artificial Intelligence and social innovation into the Organization’s broader agenda. Member States were also updated on the significant growth in the UN Tourism Online Academy, new International Academies in Association with UN Tourism, and record foreign direct investment figures.
Strengthening global presence and new Innovation Office for Africa
The Council also welcomed updates on the development of Thematic and Regional offices. On the eve of the Executive Council Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili and Tourism Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco Fatim-Zahra Ammor and UN Tourism formalized an agreement to create he first UN Tourism Thematic Office on Innovation for Africa in Rabat. The office will advance UN Tourism’s 2030 Agenda for Africa, and aims to position tourism as a key driver of development through innovation across the region.
Source: Ministério da Economia / UN Tourism
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