Zambia nominated to UNWTO executive council

ZAMBIA has been nominated to sit on the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Executive Council for the next four years at the just ended 64th Commission for Africa (CAF) meeting that took place in the Sal Island, Cape Verde.

The tightly contested elections drew participation from more than 30 African states with 21 Ministers of Tourism in attendance.

Zambia is expected to have its nomination adopted at the forth-coming UNWTO General Assembly slated for 30 November to December, 2021, in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Zambia’s Ambassador to France, Dr. Christine Kaseba Sata who is also Permanent Representative to the UNWTO is elated by the achievement as the country is being nominated to sit on the Executive Council for the third time since the Organisation was established.

Ms. Kaseba pointed out that the nomination was a great achievement which will attract not only visibility but also allow the country to add its voice on the development of tourism globally.

She noted that this was a great opportunity for Zambia in line with the Government’s focus of accelerating the rebounding of the tourism sector, it being an important for job and wealth creation in the country.

Earlier, Zambia successfully handed over its UNWTO CAF Presidency to the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire having chaired from 2019 to 2021.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Ms. Kaseba thanked the African Tourism Ministers for the support rendered to Zambia in contributing towards the tourism development agenda for the African Continent.

She added that the COVID-19 pandemic was a huge challenge during the country’s tenure as

CAF President despite scoring a good number of achievements.

Ms. Kaseba further expressed confidence in the new CAF Presidency and noted with optimism that they would represent the continent diligently.

This is according to a press statement issued to ZANIS by Permanent Mission to the UNWTO in Spain First Secretary Press Yande Musonda.