News / National
Zimbabwe bids for top UN post
02 Apr 2016 at 14:09hrs | Views
THE government has nominated Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Engineer Walter Mzembi for the post of United Nations World Tourism Organisation Secretary General that falls vacant next year.
Currently, the post is held by Dr Taleb Rifai of Jordan.
Announcing Zimbabwe's candidature for the post, Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Christopher Mushohwe, said Eng Mzembi also had the backing of Sadc countries.
He described Eng Mzembi as one of Zimbabwe's best candidates ready to serve at the global level.
"The government of Zimbabwe as an active member of the UNWTO, has a tried and tested candidate for the position of Secretary General that falls vacant in 2017," he said. "We humbly offer our candidate and in this case, Zimbabwe's best to the world. Zimbabwe presents Engineer Walter Mzembi, the current Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry and the chairman of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa as the candidate for the position of Secretary General of the UNWTO.
"As a country we're committed to the growth of a global tourism. We're convinced that Eng Mzembi will acquit himself should he be given this honour."
Mushohwe said Zimbabwe viewed tourism as a sustainable sector that could help in uplifting people's lives globally. He described tourism as a diplomatic bridge that helps to keep people connected globally.
"Essentially, tourism plays an important role in socio-economic development of our economies globally," Mushowe said.
"In 2015 alone, the UNWTO Tourism Barometer said tourism contributed about 9 percent in terms of the global GDP, employed over 266 million people worldwide and generated over $1,5 trillion in revenue.
"According to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, in Zimbabwe, tourism is leading in projected growth by 4,1 percent ahead of mining, manufacturing and agriculture that has unfortunately been adversely affected by the vagaries of the El Nino-induced drought."
Mushohwe said President Robert Mugabe in his capacity as the Head of State and Government, expressed Zimbabwe's highest commitment to the tourism sector by becoming the 30th signatory of the UNWTO/World Travel and Tourism Council Golden Book on Tourism.
He added that the President was also a recipient of the book's open letter.
Should he win the election, Eng Mzembi pledged that he would not disappoint Zimbabwe and Africa at large.
"I will not let you down. I wish to say Zimbabwe's candidature is responding to the clarion call and overtures that have been made by (UNWTO) Member States," he said.
The UNWTO has a membership of 157 countries, six associate members and 480 affiliate members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities and Zimbabwe joined the organisation in 1982.
Currently, the post is held by Dr Taleb Rifai of Jordan.
Announcing Zimbabwe's candidature for the post, Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Christopher Mushohwe, said Eng Mzembi also had the backing of Sadc countries.
He described Eng Mzembi as one of Zimbabwe's best candidates ready to serve at the global level.
"The government of Zimbabwe as an active member of the UNWTO, has a tried and tested candidate for the position of Secretary General that falls vacant in 2017," he said. "We humbly offer our candidate and in this case, Zimbabwe's best to the world. Zimbabwe presents Engineer Walter Mzembi, the current Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry and the chairman of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa as the candidate for the position of Secretary General of the UNWTO.
"As a country we're committed to the growth of a global tourism. We're convinced that Eng Mzembi will acquit himself should he be given this honour."
Mushohwe said Zimbabwe viewed tourism as a sustainable sector that could help in uplifting people's lives globally. He described tourism as a diplomatic bridge that helps to keep people connected globally.
"Essentially, tourism plays an important role in socio-economic development of our economies globally," Mushowe said.
"In 2015 alone, the UNWTO Tourism Barometer said tourism contributed about 9 percent in terms of the global GDP, employed over 266 million people worldwide and generated over $1,5 trillion in revenue.
"According to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, in Zimbabwe, tourism is leading in projected growth by 4,1 percent ahead of mining, manufacturing and agriculture that has unfortunately been adversely affected by the vagaries of the El Nino-induced drought."
Mushohwe said President Robert Mugabe in his capacity as the Head of State and Government, expressed Zimbabwe's highest commitment to the tourism sector by becoming the 30th signatory of the UNWTO/World Travel and Tourism Council Golden Book on Tourism.
He added that the President was also a recipient of the book's open letter.
Should he win the election, Eng Mzembi pledged that he would not disappoint Zimbabwe and Africa at large.
"I will not let you down. I wish to say Zimbabwe's candidature is responding to the clarion call and overtures that have been made by (UNWTO) Member States," he said.
The UNWTO has a membership of 157 countries, six associate members and 480 affiliate members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities and Zimbabwe joined the organisation in 1982.
Source - chronicle
