The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the 25th General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) was elected to the position of First vice chair of the Executive Council of the UN Tourism Organization. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will continue as Chair of Executive Council for 2024 with Jamaica serving as Second Vice-Chair
The Executive Council’s task is to take all necessary measures, in consultation with the Secretary-General, for the implementation of its own decisions and recommendations of the Assembly and report thereon to the Assembly. The Council meets at least twice a year.
The country’s election earlier at the Regional Commission for Africa meeting held in Mauritius was ratified by the assembly to be part of Africa’s representative on the council.
Speaking to VoyagesAfriq on the election, the Minister of Tourism of DRC Didier Mazenga Mukanzu expressed appreciation to the council members for entrusting the central African nation with the honour of leadership at the council. Mr. Mazenga paid glowing tribute to President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo for his vision in making DRC a world class tourism destination.
He added that, the position was to help Africa contribute to the affairs of the organization.
The DRC is committed to providing its contribution, but also intends to benefit from UNWTO’s support.
‘’The DRC intends to revive the tourism sector and to do this we need partners to revive our infrastructure, knowing that we are full of huge tourism potential within our country.
We will therefore need UNWTO’s support to accompany the DRC in this project to renovate and revitalize the tourism sector’’ he observed.
On his impressions on the General Assembly, the minister expressed utmost appreciation to the President and Government of Uzbekistan for the sterling work in hosting the event and singled out the Secretary General of UNWTO Zurab Pololikashvili for his visionary leadership for the tourism sector.
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