[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-41px|||||” custom_padding=”33px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”-19px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”6px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ text_orientation=”justified” hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
15 June 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Maldives,<\/p>\n His Excellency Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization,<\/p>\n Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to today\u2019s discussion.<\/p>\n As a Maldivian, I am deeply aware of the importance of tourism, of its contributions to national and local economies, to jobs and livelihoods, to innovation and growth.<\/p>\n I am also aware of the diversity within the tourism sector, both in terms of its contributions as well as its needs.<\/p>\n What works in one area, may not work in another.<\/p>\n What thrives and shines in one community, or on one island, may be very different from what works in another.<\/p>\n There is no one-size fits all for tourism; we all have to lean into our individual strengths and tackle our own unique impediments or challenges.<\/p>\n This is the essence of community-based tourism.<\/p>\n I commend the organizers for shining a light on this importance, oft-overlooked issue.<\/p>\n My friends,<\/p>\n Well-managed and sustainable tourism has far-reaching benefits.<\/p>\n It contributes to the achievement of sustainable development; provides livelihoods and a source of empowerment for local communities, including women and youth; and serves as a vehicle for cultural exchanges, tolerance, and stable societies.<\/p>\n But well-managed sustainable tourism must be community-driven.<\/p>\n Each year, local communities worldwide enable millions of tourists to enjoy a diversified and context-specific tourism product, which includes unique experiences specific to their region and culture.<\/p>\n The contribution of local communities to the success of tourism is evident right here in the Maldives, where the tourism strategy recognizes the intricate link between local communities, the natural environment and economic prosperity.<\/p>\n As we work to build back our tourism sector following the devastation wrought by COVID-19, we would be wise to empower local communities.<\/p>\n As President of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ General Assembly, I was proud to convene the first-ever high-level discussion in the General Assembly on tourism, together with my friend Zurab, Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization, and other partner agencies.<\/p>\n Our goal: to advocate for a resilient, sustainable rebound of the tourism sector that strengthens rather than erodes our natural environment.<\/p>\n My friends, the rebound of the tourism sector is a unique opportunity to maximize tourism\u2019s contribution to the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on climate change. Achieving this, however, entails enhancing community participation and inclusivity in tourism policy and decision-making processes.<\/p>\n Indeed, for tourism to be sustainable, it must be leveraged for the benefit of local communities, and local communities must be a part of the design of tourism models. It must promote growth and sustainability of micro-businesses and local creative industries through digitalization and financing.<\/p>\n We heard this at the debate in New York, where delegations spoke of their experience with initiatives such as homestays and supporting cultural or heritage tourism.<\/p>\n My friends,<\/p>\n Today\u2019s meeting is an opportunity for all tourism actors to commit to strengthening community-based tourism for the benefit of local communities, and to learn from the experience of others in the region.<\/p>\n As the world reflects on the gaps and weaknesses that were exposed during the pandemic, we are at an inflection point \u2013 a moment where we can pivot away from dangerous disregard for our planet and lean into greener, bluer, more sustainable practices.<\/p>\n Let us seize this moment to build tourism-based development models that are people-cantered \u2013 ones in which people choose to stay in their communities and be empowered through jobs and business opportunities that also preserve the natural environment, biodiversity, and cultural heritage.<\/p>\n Let us strive to bring people, planet and prosperity in harmony through tourism.<\/p>\n I thank you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Virtual<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" Excellencies, colleagues,<\/p> I welcome you all to our second meeting and our first interaction following the resumed part of the session.<\/p> Before I begin, I would like to recognize the loss of our dear friend and esteemed colleague, Ms. Gail Farngalo.<\/p> A Liberian national, Gail was my Team Leader for Human Rights and was active on gender during both the 75th<\/sup> and 76th<\/sup> sessions. She leaves behind a legacy of achievements and a groundswell of respect and affection from across the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and diplomatic communities. Her presence is certainly felt here today.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> When I took on this Presidency of Hope, I pledged to make gender equality a priority area for the 76th<\/sup> session. I continue to look to the board for its wisdom and expertise, as I endeavour to fulfil that pledge.<\/p> In this regard, I have already benefited from the board\u2019s advice, from when we met on October 28th<\/sup> last year.<\/p> Acting on that advice, I committed to ensuring that all my five rays of hope, and all my major initiatives, are approached with a gender lens.<\/p> I made sure that the composition of my office is gender-balanced.<\/p> I have committed to participating only in panels that have equal gender representation.<\/p> Throughout my official interactions and travels, I have endeavoured to meet with women, including heads of states and governments, scientists, civil society representatives, and youth.<\/p> And I am proud to inform you that five young women have been recruited into the Fellowship for HOPE<\/em> that my office recently launched. The Fellowship as you are well aware is targeted at benefiting young diplomats from underrepresented countries, pursuing careers in diplomacy or public service.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> While recognizing that we have a long way to go in the battle for gender-equality, I am proud of what my team has been able to accomplish within the past few months.<\/p> Our work continues.<\/p> We will continue to raise our voices on issues disproportionately impacting women, such as domestic violence and work place harassment. We will continue to push the importance of gender-equal work spaces.<\/p> And we will continue to find new paths to empower young women with ambitious professional aspirations.<\/p> Now is not the time to rest on our laurels.<\/p> With the board\u2019s guidance and support, we must use the many opportunities over the coming months to further empower women and girls, and dismantle discriminatory practices against them.<\/p> There are several upcoming events that will provide us such opportunities. I look forward to the board\u2019s suggestions on how we can best utilize them.<\/p> As an example, the International Day of Women and Girls in science is fast approaching. We must recognize that women\u2019s contributions in science and technology have helped us cure diseases; discover new horizons in space; and develop technologies that have vastly improved our quality of life.<\/p> As we celebrate their achievements, we must also open pathways for young girls who aspire to follow in the footsteps of pioneers in science and technology.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Let us also reflect that the theme chosen by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women for this year is on \u201cachieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes\u201d.<\/p> As we strive to meet our obligations to the planet, let us recognize the important work done by women and girls at the forefront of the climate crisis, and whose humanitarian work in disaster-stricken areas has helped save lives and rebuild communities. We owe it to them to not only celebrate their work but to support them.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Our programme of work for the months ahead has been circulated to members prior to the meeting, for consideration and feedback. Please note that the events we have planned are not exhaustive. I welcome further suggestions from the board on the content and format of future events and activities.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> We have made much progress within a short while. And with the board\u2019s support and guidance, I am sure that we can keep up this strong momentum.<\/p> I look forward to working alongside all of you to achieve our vision of a gender-equal world.<\/p> Thank you.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[550,556,553],"committee-meeting":[],"class_list":["post-267764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","tag-ga","tag-pga","tag-shahid","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n