Page 572 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2025 (Part 1)

10/28/25, 8:40 AM Expo City Dubai earns highest level of sustainable tourism certification ahead of inaugural Sustainable Destinations Forum
leaders in sustainable tourism, is co-hosted with Green Destinations—a GSTC-accredited certification
organization that champions sustainable destinations—and is conducted in partnership with the UAE
Ministry of Economy and Tourism.

Integrating values into tourism

Her Excellency Dr. Maria Hanif Alqassim, assistant undersecretary of the Policies and Economic Studies
Sector at the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, stated: “The UAE has placed sustainability at the
core of its tourism strategy, ensuring that growth goes hand in hand with the preservation of our
environment, climate, and natural resources. Through ambitious initiatives, we aim to expand the
tourism sector’s contribution to the national economy in a way that reflects our responsibility to future
generations. In line with this commitment, the Ministry is collaborating with the Organisation for
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and other partners to integrate sustainability
standards into our tourism policies, supported by strong governance and robust data systems.

“These efforts have positioned the UAE as a global leader in sustainable tourism, meeting the growing
demand for engaging, responsible travel. Expo City Dubai exemplifies this vision, uniting environmental
stewardship with economic opportunity. We look forward to advancing this ambition globally at the
Sustainable Destinations Forum, along with Green Destinations and other partners.”

Marjan Faraidooni, chief of Education and Culture at Expo City Dubai, remarked: “Sustainability is part
of Expo City Dubai’s DNA. We are proud to have received the GSTC destination recognition,
illustrating that tourism can—and must—go hand in hand with care for our environment and culture. We
believe we have a responsibility to spread these values through youth and community engagement and
learning opportunities, and we look forward to working with like-minded organizations at the
Sustainable Destinations Forum, where together we will help shape a cleaner, greener tourism industry.”

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