Monaco at the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh

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The 26th Session of the UN Tourism General Assembly took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 7 to 11 November. The landmark event was hosted by the Saudi Minister for Tourism, H.E. Mr Ahmed Al-Khateeb. 

The Principality of Monaco, a member of the UN organisation since 2000, was represented by H.E. Ms Catherine Fautrier Rousseau, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UN Tourism, and by Ms Isabelle Tello from the Tourist and Convention Authority.

This was the first time the General Assembly had been held in the Middle East, and the event drew a record attendance of more than 150 member countries, underlining the sector’s importance to the worldwide economy. Having bounced back strongly following the pandemic, tourism now generates more than 11 trillion US dollars in revenue, or around 11% of global GDP.   

During the session, member states elected Ms Sheikha Nasser Al Nowais to serve as the organisation’s next Secretary-General from 2026 to 2029. She will be the first woman to lead UN Tourism. Originally from the United Arab Emirates, she brings vast experience of the tourism sector.

The Assembly also debated the issue of artificial intelligence and its growing role in the industry, with representatives from Amadeus, Trip.com, Microsoft and the World Economic Forum all taking part in the discussions alongside Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism.

The session concluded with the adoption of the Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism, setting out a shared roadmap for a more resilient, inclusive, and innovative tourism industry. The declaration underscores the importance of fostering international cooperation, developing skills, investing in digital infrastructure, and using AI to support local businesses.

Finally, the Assembly marked the 50th anniversary of UN Tourism, highlighting its central role in the sector’s global development, its resilience in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, and its contribution to cultural dialogue and peace between nations.

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