Initiated by Uzbekistan, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously approved the Resolution designating 2027 as the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism. The decision was made on February 26 at the UN Headquarters in New York City, with over 80 member countries co-authoring the resolution initiated by Uzbekistan.
Leading nations, including Russia, China, the United States, Turkey, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Union delegation, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Egypt, Brazil, and Argentina, actively participated in consultations to finalize the text of the resolution. Representatives from UN member states recognized the timeliness and significance of presenting this resolution.
The primary objective of the document aligns with the thesis put forth by the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the October 2023 Samarkand session of the UNWTO General Assembly, emphasizing the tourism sector's sustainability and adaptability to contemporary challenges.
The resolution incorporates the principles articulated by the Uzbekistan President regarding the crucial role of tourism in preserving diverse cultural heritage, fostering peace, tolerance, and respecting the values of different peoples. Special emphasis is placed on the development of green tourism to safeguard the environment, biodiversity, and reduce air pollution.
The resolution officially declares 2027 as the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism, urging UNWTO, governments, UN agencies, and regional organizations to implement comprehensive measures for its success. It underscores the importance of developing sustainable tourism, including ecotourism, to contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering economic growth, full employment, rural development, and improving the livelihoods of rural communities.
Encouraging all stakeholders, the resolution emphasizes the active promotion of sustainable and resilient tourism as a vital tool for poverty eradication, supporting the involvement of women, youth, older persons, and persons with disabilities, expanding economic opportunities, and creating decent jobs and income sources.
The document stipulates that UNWTO will report to the UN General Assembly during its 83rd session in 2028 on the implementation of this resolution, with a specific focus on assessing the International Year's impact.
Experts anticipate that the resolution proposed by Uzbekistan will mark the initiation of a new phase in global tourism industry development.
