Africa (Common Wealth) _ Addressing Global Challenges; Promoting Investment and Partnerships Expert African perspectives on global concerns were presented, emphasizing the need for investments in a greener tourist sector and access to finance within the sector, as well as the need to promote public-private collaboration at all levels.
Reflecting tourism’s increased relevance as a solution to a variety of global challenges and a pillar of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, The Conference was divided into two subject sessions, the first of which focused on “Addressing Global Challenges” and the second on “Promoting Investment and Partnerships in Tourism for Economic Development.”
Mr. His Excellency The keynote lecture was delivered by Mr. Steven Obeegadoo, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, and Minister of Tourism for the Republic of Mauritius, as well as Albert Muchanga, African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Minerals.
A Ministerial Panel Session focused on global challenges Ministers of Tourism from the Democratic Republic of the Congo Didier Mazenga Mukanzu, Ghana’s Hon. Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Awal, Kenya’s Peninah Malonza, and Zambia’s Rhodney Sikumba, as well as Ms Lisa Singh, the UN Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, and Prof Nazia M Habib, Head, University of Cambridge’s Centre for Resilience and Sustainable Development.
The second session emphasized the importance of developing strategic relationships and partnerships, as well as the critical need for more and better-targeted tourism investments, particularly in projects with the potential to deliver greater sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity, in line with the UNWTO’s priorities for the sector.
The session began with an overview of the tourism investment climate by UNWTO Executive Director Natalia Bayona, followed by presentations by Messages from Chile and Kevin Ramkaloan, CEO Business MauritiusMpundu Kapwepwe, Secretary General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and Leila Farah Mokaddenm, Director General of the African Development Bank
Philda Kereng, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism in Botswana, and Hon. Siandou Fofana, Minister of Tourism in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, also presented their distinct, specialist perspectives on rethinking tourism investments and collaborations. They were joined by Ms. Amanda Serumaga, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme for Mauritius and Seychelles, Ms. Michaella Rugwizangoga, Chief Tourism Officer of the Rwanda Development Board, and Mr. Mamadu Serifo Jaquite, Commissioner in charge of the Department of Human Development of the West African Monetary and Economic Union.
The summit concluded with the host country and UNWTO presenting the Mauritius Declaration. Philda Kereng, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism in Botswana, and Hon. Siandou Fofana, Minister of Tourism in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, also presented their distinct, specialist perspectives on rethinking tourism investments and collaborations. They were joined by Ms. Amanda Serumaga, Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme for Mauritius and Seychelles, Ms. Michaella Rugwizangoga, Chief Tourism Officer, Rwanda Development Board, and Mr. Mamadu Serifo Jaquite, Commissioner in charge of the West African Monetary and Economic Union’s Department of Human Development..
To ensure that this program is carried out under the best possible conditions, the Declaration also requests the support of UNWTO Member States, the African Union Commission, regional economic community organizations, regional aviation institutions, banking institutions, the African Development Bank, international aid partners, donor communities, and financial institutions, in accordance with their respective mandates.
