16.10.2023

On October 16, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Zurab Pololikashvili, who is on a visit to our country as part of the 25th session of the General Assembly of this high-profile in its field - organization of the UN system.

The issues of further expanding multifaceted cooperation with this specialized UN body to increase the tourism potential of Uzbekistan were discussed.

The unprecedented high level of cooperation achieved with UNWTO, which has become a strategic partner of Uzbekistan in reforming the tourism industry, was noted with deep satisfaction.

The joint efforts to popularize the brand «Tourism on the Silk Road», including the implementation of programs and projects aimed at the development of tourism infrastructure, popularization of the tourist flow to our country, and training of qualified personnel were highly assessed.

Uzbekistan’s hosting of the anniversary session of the UNWTO General Assembly, the opening within its framework of the International Tourism Academy, and the Thematic Office “Silk Road” in the city of Samarkand have become important practical outcomes of the cooperation.

The Secretary-General expressed sincere gratitude to the President of Uzbekistan for the assistance with the preparation and organization at a high level of the main international event of the tourism sector this year.

It was emphasized that the participation in the forum of high-level delegations representing over 140 countries speaks of a growing interest to Uzbekistan as one of the centers of the global and regional tourism.

As part of the General Assembly, investment and education forums will also take place with the participation of leading companies, universities, and institutes of the tourism sector. Following the outcomes, a number of contracts and agreements on the implementation of joint programs and projects in these areas is to be signed.

At the end of the meeting, an agreement to adopt a joint road map for the practical implementation of the main outcomes of the anniversary session was reached.