Page 41 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT- NOVEMBER 2024

Press Release

H.E. Bin Touq participates in the first ministerial meeting to

enhance climate action in the tourism sector

• Minister of Economy reiterates the UAE's support for global efforts aimed
at achieving sustainable tourism development

• Meeting takes place on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku

Abu Dhabi, 20 November 2024:

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism
Council, attended the first ministerial meeting to advance climate action in the tourism sector. The
meeting took place on the sidelines of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, the capital city of
Azerbaijan, under the theme 'In Solidarity for a Green World.'

In his speech, H.E. Bin Touq said: "The tourism sector is a key driver in achieving the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, given its vital role in promoting growth and sustainability
of economies around the world. Following its recovery from the pandemic’s impact, the sector has
experienced considerable growth at regional and global levels. This motivates us to further
strengthen cooperation to transform current challenges into concrete opportunities that facilitate
the shift towards a more resilient and sustainable tourism model."

H.E. explained that the transition towards sustainable tourism requires a range of enablers,
including robust tourism policies, financial support, highly skilled human resources, and the
expansion of international collaboration to adopt more innovative solutions within the sector.
H.E. continued, "The promotion of sustainable tourism is a strategic imperative for diversifying
our national economy. We aim to provide outstanding tourism experiences while preserving our
environment and cultural and historical heritage. Furthermore, we are introducing tourism
strategies and initiatives that support climate action, such as the 'UAE Tourism Strategy 2031,'
which aims to strengthen the UAE's position as the best global tourism destination by the next
decade."

"The meeting of tourism ministers during COP 29 confirms the increasing significance of
integrating the tourism sector into global climate action, considering the pace of environmental
changes and climatic shifts taking place globally. In this regard, the UAE endorses the COP29
declaration, which aims to achieve localisation of the tourism sector as part of the national climate
action. We also support its focus on the importance of financing sustainable development,