News / National
Zim to host 21st UN Tourism meeting
28 Jan 2025 at 10:26hrs | Views
Zimbabwe is set to host the United Nations Tourism 21st Committee on Tourism and Sustainability meeting in September 2025, a decision underscoring the country's commitment to sustainable tourism development, alignment with ongoing efforts to promote responsible and inclusive travel experiences.
It is also in line with Zimbabwe's 2025-26 strategy growth focusing on MICE Tourism as a key initiative to strengthen the position in the sector.
In a statement this Friday, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi, conveyed Zimbabwe's readiness to host the event while stressing the country's dedication to shaping the future of sustainable tourism development in partnership with other member states.
"Let me express gratitude for the support given to Zimbabwe by the Chair and Members of the Committee, noting that this confidence is a testament to the people and Government of Zimbabwe's capability to host international events. Hosting of this event exemplifies inclusive tourism development, a vision championed by Her Excellency, the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, who serves as the Zimbabwe Patron of Tourism," Rwodzi said in a statement.
"As the Patron of Tourism, the First Lady introduced key programs such as Gastronomy Tourism, Agric4She, and Farm-to-Market, which the Ministry intends to extend to every province this year, promoting inclusivity and sustainability in the tourism sector. These initiatives made her to be recognized by UN Tourism for her efforts to empower local communities, women, youth, and people with disabilities," Rwodzi added in a statement.
"The initiatives aim to integrate the community into the Tourism Value Chain for Sustainable Development, a vision she (First Lady) continues to advocate for across Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe intends to position itself as one of the leading countries in promoting sustainable tourism; and this ambitious goal encompasses various aspects of sustainability, including environmental conservation, community inclusion and the economic empowerment of marginalized groups," the statement added.
By focusing on these areas, Zimbabwe aims to set an example on the global stage. Zimbabwe remains an active member of the CTS, alongside Costa Rica (Chair), Croatia, Egypt, Fiji, Kenya, Portugal, Sri Lanka, and Uruguay.
The Rules and Procedures to establish the CTS Committee (CE/96/2(i)) were approved during the 96th Session of the UN Tourism Executive Council in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), in August 2013.
Zimbabwe aims to implement policies and strategies in line with the triple bottom line including people, planet and profit.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Committee, Honourable William Rodriguez Lopez, (Minister of Tourism) from Costa Rica, along with UN Tourism Executive Director Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic and other CTS members, commended Zimbabwe for its leadership in global tourism promotion, particularly in Africa.
Moreso, Dr. Dirk Glaesser who is the director for Sustainable Development of Tourism at UN Tourism, highlighted the successful hosting of the first UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa by Zimbabwe in July 2024 as a prime example of the country's commitment to advancing tourism in Africa.
He expressed confidence that Zimbabwe's strong institutional and policy infrastructure would ensure the success of future tourism events.
The decision to host the event aligns with the outcomes of the recently concluded COP29 meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, where tourism received significant attention for the first time in the history of COP Summits.
Zimbabwe is eager to contribute to the global discourse on sustainable tourism and share its best practices with the international community, as UN Member States prepare for the UN General Assembly in the United States in September and the COP30 Summit in Brazil in November 2025.
The 21st CTS meeting will bring together UN Tourism Committee members, policymakers, experts from international organizations, regional economic communities such as the African Union, SADC, COMESA, national and international media. This global tourism event offers Zimbabwe a unique opportunity to showcase its rich cultural and natural heritage, which supports the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Minister Rwodzi also announced that these efforts align with Zimbabwe's Vision 2030, as articulated President Emmerson Mnangagwa, which emphasizes inclusive economic development through his leaving no one and no place behind mantra.
It is also in line with Zimbabwe's 2025-26 strategy growth focusing on MICE Tourism as a key initiative to strengthen the position in the sector.
In a statement this Friday, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi, conveyed Zimbabwe's readiness to host the event while stressing the country's dedication to shaping the future of sustainable tourism development in partnership with other member states.
"Let me express gratitude for the support given to Zimbabwe by the Chair and Members of the Committee, noting that this confidence is a testament to the people and Government of Zimbabwe's capability to host international events. Hosting of this event exemplifies inclusive tourism development, a vision championed by Her Excellency, the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, who serves as the Zimbabwe Patron of Tourism," Rwodzi said in a statement.
"As the Patron of Tourism, the First Lady introduced key programs such as Gastronomy Tourism, Agric4She, and Farm-to-Market, which the Ministry intends to extend to every province this year, promoting inclusivity and sustainability in the tourism sector. These initiatives made her to be recognized by UN Tourism for her efforts to empower local communities, women, youth, and people with disabilities," Rwodzi added in a statement.
"The initiatives aim to integrate the community into the Tourism Value Chain for Sustainable Development, a vision she (First Lady) continues to advocate for across Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe intends to position itself as one of the leading countries in promoting sustainable tourism; and this ambitious goal encompasses various aspects of sustainability, including environmental conservation, community inclusion and the economic empowerment of marginalized groups," the statement added.
By focusing on these areas, Zimbabwe aims to set an example on the global stage. Zimbabwe remains an active member of the CTS, alongside Costa Rica (Chair), Croatia, Egypt, Fiji, Kenya, Portugal, Sri Lanka, and Uruguay.
The Rules and Procedures to establish the CTS Committee (CE/96/2(i)) were approved during the 96th Session of the UN Tourism Executive Council in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), in August 2013.
Zimbabwe aims to implement policies and strategies in line with the triple bottom line including people, planet and profit.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Committee, Honourable William Rodriguez Lopez, (Minister of Tourism) from Costa Rica, along with UN Tourism Executive Director Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic and other CTS members, commended Zimbabwe for its leadership in global tourism promotion, particularly in Africa.
Moreso, Dr. Dirk Glaesser who is the director for Sustainable Development of Tourism at UN Tourism, highlighted the successful hosting of the first UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa by Zimbabwe in July 2024 as a prime example of the country's commitment to advancing tourism in Africa.
He expressed confidence that Zimbabwe's strong institutional and policy infrastructure would ensure the success of future tourism events.
The decision to host the event aligns with the outcomes of the recently concluded COP29 meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, where tourism received significant attention for the first time in the history of COP Summits.
Zimbabwe is eager to contribute to the global discourse on sustainable tourism and share its best practices with the international community, as UN Member States prepare for the UN General Assembly in the United States in September and the COP30 Summit in Brazil in November 2025.
The 21st CTS meeting will bring together UN Tourism Committee members, policymakers, experts from international organizations, regional economic communities such as the African Union, SADC, COMESA, national and international media. This global tourism event offers Zimbabwe a unique opportunity to showcase its rich cultural and natural heritage, which supports the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Minister Rwodzi also announced that these efforts align with Zimbabwe's Vision 2030, as articulated President Emmerson Mnangagwa, which emphasizes inclusive economic development through his leaving no one and no place behind mantra.
Source - Byo24News
