Page 517 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2025 (Part 1)

10/28/25, 9:25 AM UAE And More Than 20 African Nations Agree To Launch New Investment Mapping To Strengthen Partnerships In Tourism, Aviatio…
environmental initiatives. The third pillar, Aviation and Connectivity, aims to
expand air links, improve logistics services and facilitate mobility, recognizing
connectivity as a vital enabler of regional integration and investment to unlock
tourism potential, especially in underserved destinations.

The fourth pillar, Sustainability, highlights the need to address the growing impact

of climate change on environmental systems and the vulnerability of coastal and
forest habitats underpinning international tourist destinations in Africa. The
ministers reaffirmed their commitment to promoting green and climate-resilient
projects, supporting investments in nature-based solutions, encouraging the use
of renewable energy, and integrating sustainability considerations into tourism

and related sectors. Finally, under the fifth pillar, SME-financing and Innovation,
the ministers emphasized the role of youth- and women-led enterprises, as well
as digital startups and business incubators in fostering inclusive growth,
innovation, and job creation, and committed to supporting their access to finance
and markets. They recognized the importance of facilitating access to finance for
the private sector, including through multilateral institutions, in order to make
tourism a transformative driver of sustainable development.

UAE as a strategic partner:

The ministers reaffirmed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a

cornerstone of regional integration and competitiveness. They welcomed
collaboration with strategic partners, including the UAE, whose engagement can
mobilize capital and connectivity in ways that reinforce the implementation of
AfCFTA and regional value chains.

The ministers recognized the UAE as a reliable partner in advancing the

sustainable development of African economies, particularly in the tourism sector.
They noted the UAE's successful experience in leveraging tourism to attract
international investment, diversify its economy, and contribute to long-term
sustainable growth.

They also agreed on the importance of sharing knowledge, best practices, and
capacity-building to replicate similar outcomes across African destinations. The
participants valued cooperation with development finance institutions and
international organizations, including the African Development Bank, World Bank
Group, International Monetary Fund, UN Tourism, World Trade Organization,
International Civil Aviation Organization, and United Nations Economic

Commission for Africa to provide finance, guarantees, technical assistance, and
policy support.

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