Photograph Credit score: WAM
Dubai, UAE — November 2025 — The United Nations World Tourism Organisation has elected Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais as its new Secretary-Common for the 2026–2029 time period.
The appointment, confirmed by a majority vote of greater than 160 nations in the course of the twenty sixth session of the UNWTO Common Meeting in Riyadh, follows her preliminary election by the Govt Council final Might.
In keeping with the Emirates Information Company, Al Nowais efficiently accomplished all phases of nomination, election, and affirmation in accordance with the organisation’s protocol, marking an unprecedented achievement.
This election is a landmark on a number of fronts, as Shaikha Al Nowais turns into the primary girl on the planet and the primary Emirati ever to guide the organisation in its 50-year historical past. The milestone displays the worldwide neighborhood’s confidence in Emirati expertise and the UAE’s success in empowering ladies on the worldwide stage.
The announcement got here in the course of the participation of a UAE delegation, led by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Financial system and Tourism. Bin Touq described the second as a milestone not just for the UAE however for your entire Arab area and the worldwide tourism sector.
He added: “The election of the primary girl to guide the world tourism system displays a unanimous worldwide recognition of the UAE’s distinguished place in tourism and financial diplomacy. It additionally confirms our main and rising position in selling sustainable tourism growth and cultural trade among the many peoples of the world.”
Reaffirming the UAE’s dedication, he pledged help for the UNWTO’s future programmes and motion plans, specializing in strengthening worldwide partnerships, sharing experience, and selling collaboration between governments, the personal sector, and civil society.
Bin Touq additionally pointed to the central position of the UAE’s aviation sector, with Emirati airways connecting East and West and remodeling the nation into a worldwide hub for financial, cultural, and data trade.
Addressing the Common Meeting, Al Nowais expressed her deep gratitude for the belief and help of the member states, affirming her dedication to this world accountability.
“Tourism is just not merely an financial business; it’s a bridge for human connection and a cornerstone for selling understanding, peace, and sustainable growth amongst peoples and cultures worldwide,” she acknowledged.
She credited her achievement to the UAE’s visionary management and its unwavering help for empowering Emirati ladies, noting that tourism is a predominant driver of sustainable growth. This accomplishment, she mentioned, reinforces the UAE’s influential position in shaping world tourism insurance policies.
Outlining her imaginative and prescient, Al Nowais pledged to guide a brand new part of collaborative work primarily based on innovation, empowerment, and sustainability. “We intention to make tourism an inclusive sector that creates alternatives for all – particularly youth, ladies, and native communities – to drive sustainable progress and world cultural trade,” she mentioned.
Her method focuses on turning challenges into alternatives, redesigning tourism techniques to fulfill neighborhood wants whereas strengthening economies, and increasing partnerships to help growing nations by means of coaching, capacity-building, and data sharing.
Riyadh is internet hosting the twenty sixth UN Tourism Common Meeting, marking the primary time a Gulf Cooperation Council nation has held this occasion.
The gathering of over 160 world delegates highlights the area’s rising affect within the tourism sector.
The agenda contains a number of plenary classes, specialised committee conferences, and conferences of the Govt Council.