The Kingdom of Morocco and UN Tourism have finalized the establishment of Africa’s first UN Tourism Thematic Office with the official signing of a financial agreement. This concludes all administrative procedures, allowing the office to begin operations soon.
The agreement was signed by Morocco’s Minister of Tourism, Crafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy, Ms. Fatim-Zahra Ammor, and the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili.
Set to focus on innovation, investment, and skills development, the Rabat bases office is expected to become a strategic platform to support tourism growth across the continent. It will also serve as a collaborative space for African states to develop targeted initiatives that respond to the evolving needs of the sector.
In his remarks, Secretary-General Pololikashvili emphasized the long-term importance of the agreement. “This new office will reinforce our commitment to Africa. It will allow for closer collaboration with governments and partners, and serve as a central hub to drive innovation, investment, and capacity-building,” he said.
Pololikashvili further expressed appreciation to the Moroccan government for its leadership and support. “We are proud to sign this agreement. Thank you to H.E Ms. Fatim-Zahra Ammor for hosting this important step forward for Africa’s tourism sector,” he added.
The financial agreement was finalized shortly after Morocco’s active participation in the Executive Council meeting, where Ms. Fatim-Zahra Ammor led a high-level delegation that included the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Spain Karima Benyaich. The session brought together ministers and senior officials from UN Tourism Member States for discussions on the future of the global tourism industry.
On her part Minister Ammor reiterated Morocco’s longstanding dedication to promoting tourism as a lever for sustainable development, aligning with King Mohammed VI’s vision for African collaboration. She acknowledged the Thematic Office as a new chapter in the partnership between Morocco and UN Tourism and an opportunity to bolster Africa’s collective efforts in tourism advancement.
Rabat’s selection as host city builds on Morocco’s expanding role in continental and global tourism dialogue. With its growing infrastructure and emphasis on sectoral transformation, the country is well positioned to provide a supportive environment for the office’s operations.
The Thematic Office for Innovation, once operational, will not only serve as a regional coordination point for UN Tourism’s Africa-related initiatives but also foster partnerships, connect innovators, and help shape tourism policy on the continent.
