With Inclusion of Tourism in Sustainable Development Goals, Secretary-General, in Video Message, Says He Counts on World Organization’s Full Involvement

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message for the opening of the twenty-first session of the World Tourism Organization General Assembly, held in Medellin, Colombia, 12 to 17 September:

His Excellency Juan Manuel Santos, President of Colombia; Mr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization; Her Excellency Mrs. Cecilia Álvarez-Correa, Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism of Colombia; His Excellency Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization; Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen:

I am delighted to greet the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

You meet at a critical moment, as world leaders move towards the adoption of an inspiring new sustainable development agenda and a meaningful, universal agreement on climate change.

As one of the largest and fastest-growing sectors of the world economy, tourism makes vital contributions to employment generation, poverty reduction, women’s empowerment, environmental preservation and peacebuilding.  Our shared challenge is to realize even more of tourism’s great potential.

I am pleased that UNWTO is actively engaged in various important processes of the United Nations system, in particular those focused on small island developing States, least developed countries and landlocked developing countries.  UNWTO’s increasing role with respect to the global security agenda is also greatly appreciated.

I welcome your focus at this session on fostering inclusive development and social transformation.

Looking ahead, I will count on your full involvement in achieving the sustainable development goals, which include, for the first time ever, targets related to sustainable tourism.

Thank you again for being an active member of the UN system and for your efforts to guide the tourism sector in becoming a force for peace and sustainable development for all.  Please accept my best wishes for a successful session.

Thank you.  Muchas Gracias.