“Global challenges such as the recent economic crisis and the climate imperatives can only be addressed in a global cooperative manner and in fora such as the UN or the G-20”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, in his opening remarks at the Tourism Ministers’ Meeting (T20) “Travel and tourism: stimuli for the global economy” (22-24 February, Johannesburg).

UNWTO has joined all the other United Nations agencies assembled in Copenhagen to send a clear message that the UN is both “working and delivering as one” on climate change. The commitment, which is being respected by all agencies in a highly coordinated manner, was stressed by the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, at the UN high-level interactive debate on the role of the UN system in addressing climate change.  UNWTO Secretary-General elect, Taleb Rifai, represented the travel and tourism industry at the session, which took place on Wednesday 16 December.

UNWTO has been working to raise awareness on climate change issues in the tourism sector for many years and much has been achieved. The time is right for all those involved to forge ahead. Any further delay in action will result in consequences for the tourism industry and the people who depend upon the sector.