Vietnam attends the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly

Việt Nam tham dự Đại hội đồng UN Tourism lần thứ 26 - Ảnh 1. — Overview of the General Assembly

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Saudi Arabian Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb thanked the member countries for attending the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh. He emphasized that this session has special significance in many aspects, and marks the first time the UN Tourism General Assembly has been held in the Persian Gulf region, in Riyadh - a city that represents a harmonious combination of tradition and modernity.

This is the largest General Assembly in the history of UN Tourism, with the participation of more than 150 member countries, bringing together ministers, leaders and leading tourism experts from around the world . This large presence demonstrates the growing status of the tourism industry, and is a clear demonstration of the achievements that countries can achieve when they share a common vision, goals and efforts.

In recent years, the world has witnessed the power of tourism as a major driver of economic growth and social development - a sector that creates millions of job opportunities, especially for young people, and contributes to improving the quality of life of people around the world. Tourism today is not only a simple economic activity but has become one of the pillars of modern development, closely linked with fields such as sports, arts, culture and international cooperation, bringing practical values to people.

Việt Nam tham dự Đại hội đồng UN Tourism lần thứ 26 - Ảnh 2. — Saudi Arabia's Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb speaks at the Opening Ceremony

According to the Minister, the global tourism industry currently contributes more than 11 trillion USD to the world economy, creating about 357 million jobs, equivalent to 1/10 of total global employment, showing the industry's profound impact on human life.

In particular, to develop sustainable tourism, it is necessary to associate it with human factors, innovation and technology, which are the key driving forces to help the entire industry adapt to global fluctuations. In particular, in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) that is changing the landscape of world tourism, UN Tourism is well aware of both the opportunities and challenges that technology brings. Therefore, promoting the application of AI and modern technological solutions to serve people, enhance human values and preserve the "human imprint" is the core factor that creates the vitality of the tourism industry.

Saudi Arabian Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb expects the UN Tourism General Assembly to be a milestone in the global tourism development process, a place where vision, will and spirit of cooperation converge towards a more inclusive, innovative and responsible tourism future.

Việt Nam tham dự Đại hội đồng UN Tourism lần thứ 26 - Ảnh 3. — Secretary-General of the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) Zurab Pololikashvili speaks

Secretary-General of the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) Zurab Pololikashvili said that Saudi Arabia is a country rich in culture, tradition, heritage and cuisine. Together with UN Tourism, the two sides have shared a common dream: to open the country's doors to welcome tourists from all over the world. It can be said that the strong development journey of the Saudi Arabian tourism industry in recent years is a testament to the strategic vision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in opening the country, welcoming international tourists and making tourism a pillar of Saudi Vision 2030.

From the initial step with the electronic visa policy (e-visa) - considered a historic turning point, opening a new era for the country's tourism industry, to a series of iconic projects such as NEOM, AlUla, Diriyah Gate, Saudi Arabia has been affirming its position as one of the pioneering countries investing in tourism on an unprecedented scale.

The Secretary-General affirmed that hosting the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly not only demonstrates the Kingdom's increasingly prominent role on the world tourism map but also demonstrates the spirit of cooperation, openness and the aspiration to make tourism a bridge to spread peace, prosperity and understanding among nations.

Việt Nam tham dự Đại hội đồng UN Tourism lần thứ 26 - Ảnh 4.

Within the framework of the General Assembly, members unanimously elected Ms. Shaikha Al Nowais as Secretary-General for the 2026-2029 term. She is the first female Secretary-General in the nearly 50-year history of the formation and development of the United Nations Tourism Organization. Ms. Shaikha Al Nowais is known as a prestigious global leader in the fields of tourism, hospitality and economic development. With more than 16 years of strategic leadership experience, she has made many contributions to promoting sustainable tourism, transparent governance and inclusive growth in many regions around the world.

The UN Tourism General Assembly is the most important and largest event of UN Tourism, held every two years, rotating in UN Tourism member countries. At the General Assembly, members listen to the Secretary-General report on the world tourism situation, development trends and challenges of global tourism; members discuss the Organization's work plan for the next two years; and elect key positions of affiliated agencies.

On the sidelines of the program, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong and Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration Phan Linh Chi met and paid courtesy visits to Cambodian Minister of Tourism Huot Hak, Venezuelan Minister of Tourism Leticia Gomez Hernandez, Director of the Bhutan Tourism Administration Damcho Rinzin, Deputy Secretary General of the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports Wanida Phansa-ard; and representatives of the Japan Association of Tourism Associations (JATA).