DUSHANBE, June 2, 2016, Asia-Plus — The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary-General, Dr. Taleb Rifai, will pay a working visit to Tajikistan from June 9-11, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
An official source at a MFA says Dr. Taleb Rifai is scheduled to hold a number of meetings with Tajik state officials to discuss cooperation and get acquainted with tourism potential of the country.
During his previous visit to Tajikistan in May 2010, the UNWTO Secretary-General held talks with a number of high-ranking Tajik state officials and visited the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO).
During his meeting with President Rahmon on May 3, 2010, Dr. Taleb Rifai, in particular, underlined the importance of regional cooperation in the growth and development of the national economies. Referring to the UNWTO Silk Road Project, a long-term initiative to harness the tourism potential of the ancient Silk Road, Mr. Rifai called for the continued collaboration of all participating countries.
The 2010 official visit also focused on providing assistance to Tajikistan in the creation of a tourism development plan that would draw attention to and develop Tajikistan’s unique mountain nature and cultural assets.
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. It is the leading international organization in the field of tourism, which promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide. It encourages the implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism to maximize the contribution of tourism to socio-economic development, while minimizing its possible negative impacts, and is committed to promoting tourism as an instrument in achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), geared towards reducing poverty and fostering sustainable development.
UNWTO generates market knowledge, promotes competitive and sustainable tourism policies and instruments, fosters tourism education and training, and works to make tourism an effective tool for development through technical assistance projects in over 100 countries around the world.
UNWTO’s membership includes 156 countries, 6 territories and over 400 affiliate members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities. Its headquarters are located in Madrid.
