Vietnam participates in 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 states for attending the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh. He emphasized that this session holds special significance in many respects, and marks the first time the UN Tourism General Assembly has been held in the Persian Gulf region, in Riyadh – a city that exemplifies the harmonious blend of tradition and modernity.

This was the largest General Assembly in the history of UN Tourism, with the participation of over 150 member states, bringing together ministers, leaders, and leading tourism experts from around the world . This large turnout demonstrates the growing prominence of the tourism industry and is clear evidence of the achievements that nations can attain 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 for people worldwide. Tourism today is not just a purely economic activity but has become one of the pillars of modern development, closely linked to fields such as sports, arts, culture, and international cooperation, bringing tangible value to people.

Việt Nam tham dự Đại hội đồng UN Tourism lần thứ 26 - Ảnh 2. — Saudi Arabian 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 to the world economy, creating approximately 357 million jobs, equivalent to one-tenth of total global employment, demonstrating the industry's profound impact on people's lives.

In particular, sustainable tourism development needs to be linked to human factors, innovation, and technology, which are key drivers for the entire industry to adapt to global changes. Especially 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 a core element that creates vitality for the tourism industry.

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, expects the UN Tourism General Assembly to become a significant milestone in the global tourism development process, bringing together vision, will, and a spirit of cooperation towards a more inclusive, innovative, and responsible tourism future.

Việt Nam tham dự Đại hội đồng UN Tourism lần thứ 26 - Ảnh 3. — UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili delivered a speech.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili stated that Saudi Arabia is a country rich in culture, traditions, heritage, and cuisine. Together with UN Tourism, the two sides share a common dream: to open the country's doors to welcome tourists from all over the world. The strong growth of Saudi Arabia's tourism industry in recent years is a testament to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's strategic vision of opening the country to international visitors and making tourism a cornerstone of the Saudi Vision 2030.

From its initial steps with the e-visa policy – considered a historic turning point, ushering in a new era for the country's tourism industry – to a series of iconic projects such as NEOM, AlUla, and Diriyah Gate, Saudi Arabia has been asserting 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 serves as proof of its spirit of cooperation, openness, and aspiration to make tourism a bridge for spreading peace, prosperity, and understanding among nations.

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

During 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 United Nations Tourism Organization. Ms. Shaikha Al Nowais is known as a respected global leader in the fields of tourism, hospitality, and economic development. With over 16 years of strategic leadership experience, she has made significant 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 among UN Tourism member states. At the General Assembly, members hear a report from the Secretary-General on the state of global tourism, development trends and challenges facing global tourism; members discuss the Organization's work plan for the next two years; and elect key positions in its subsidiary 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 exchanged greetings with Cambodian Minister of Tourism Huot Hak, Venezuelan Minister of Tourism Leticia Gomez Hernandez, Bhutanese Director of Tourism Damcho Rinzin, Deputy Secretary-General of the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports Wanida Phansa-ard; and representatives of the JATA Association of Japan.