Page 159 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - MAY 2025 (Part 1)_Neat

6/10/25, 1:58 PM UAE ministers hail election of Shaikha Al Nowais as UN Tourism Secretary-General as a historic milestone in global tourism leaders…
responsible tourism sector that drives economic and social development for communities around the
world.

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the UAE Tourism Council, said:
"Thanks to the guidance of our wise leadership, the UAE today celebrates a new historic milestone in its

tourism sector: the election of the UAE’s candidate, H.E. Shaikha Al Nowais, as Secretary-General of
UN Tourism for the 2026–2029 term. This achievement reflects the UAE’s pioneering and influential role
in leading global efforts toward sustainable tourism development, in close cooperation with international
decision-makers and organizations across the global tourism landscape. It also reaffirms the success of

the UAE’s strategic vision in strengthening openness to the world and building robust international
partnerships that support its aspirations as a premier tourism destination, both regionally and globally."

H.E. Bin Touq added: “We are proud to have earned the trust of the international community in our
national capabilities, as reflected in the election of Shaikha Al Nowais - the first Emirati and Arab young
woman - to the position of UN Tourism Secretary-General. This milestone highlights the competence of

our young national talent and their ability to gain international confidence in leading high-level roles
within specialized sectors such as tourism. It also reaffirms the prominent status that Arab women have
achieved on both regional and global stages.”

H.E. also commended her extensive experience and capabilities in representing the UAE at the highest

international levels, as well as her comprehensive vision for strengthening global cooperation to achieve
sustainable and responsible tourism development. Her leadership is expected to elevate the tourism
sector to new heights of progress and prosperity while contributing meaningfully to the implementation
of UN Tourism projects and initiatives.

H.E. pointed out that the UAE’s tourism sector achieved exceptional growth in 2024, driven by the

launch of several key national initiatives designed to promote tourism within the country and attract
international visitors. Notable developments included the fifth season of the “World’s Coolest Winter”
campaign, the inauguration of the National Tourism Charter, and the adoption of the International Code

for the Protection of Tourists—implemented in collaboration with UN Tourism as a guiding framework.
These initiatives collectively support the objectives of the National Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to
position the UAE as the world’s leading tourism brand by the next decade.

Her Excellency Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation,
emphasized that the election of Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais as Secretary-General of UN Tourism

represents a significant milestone for the UAE and a proud achievement for Emirati women. Her
Excellency added: “Her appointment as the first woman to assume this position demonstrates the
international community's confidence in her capabilities and highlights the UAE's leading role in
advancing sustainable development globally."

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