UNWTO signs MoU on understanding and cooperation
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The UNWTO has officially lent its support to the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) which aims to “improve understanding and cooperative relations among nations and peoples across cultures and religions.” The two UN arms signed a Memorandum of Understanding yesterday at the International Congress on Ethics and Tourism in Madrid, Spain.
Tourism is seen as a key vehicle of promoting the UNAOC goal. UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai (pictured), said; “With nearly one billion tourists crossing international borders, tourism is one of the best way for people to experience, interact with, and learn from new cultures. This cultural exchange spurs dialogue among nations and peoples, fostering mutual understanding, respect, and ultimately, peace.”
Tourism leaders are in Madrid to promote ethics and sustainability within the tourism sector, ten years after the UN General Assembly ratified the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. Speaking at the event, UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, Jorge Sampaio said; “Sustainability requires a common vision of basic values in our increasingly interdependent world. Because it involves the movement of millions of people, tourism can play a pivotal role in creating a shared sense of responsibility.”
A total of 450 tourism officials, business leaders, international organisations and experts in the field of ethics and tourism have gathered to debate how to guarantee a truly responsible and sustainable tourism sector. The two-day meeting will address questions of gender equality, tourism’s role in poverty reduction, sustainable tourism practices in both the public and private sector, and codes of ethical conduct.
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