“A Champion of Multilateralism”: UN Tourism Welcomes Secretary-General António Guterres to Madrid
UN Secretary-General Guterres visited UN Tourism HQ in Madrid, the first such visit by a sitting UN chief since 2007, reaffirming tourism's role in sustainability and developing economies.
Photo by UN Tourism
UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais welcomed United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to the Organization’s headquarters in Madrid, marking a landmark moment for tourism’s growing significance in the multilateral agenda.
Welcoming the guest of honor, Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais commended Mr Guterres for his unwavering commitment to peace, understanding and diplomacy. “From your very first day in office, you have been a champion of multilateralism,” she said. “In a world marked by uncertainty and conflict, your commitment to keeping the United Nations family together has been a source of strength and direction for us all.”
Addressing UN Tourism personnel, Secretary-General Guterres reaffirmed tourism’s important place within the wider mission of the United Nations, particularly its role in advancing sustainability, international cooperation and opportunities for developing economies. He also recognized UN Tourism’s strengthened presence within the global agenda, reflected in the fact that his was the first time a sitting UN Secretary-General had visited its headquarters since 2007, and highlighted the importance of UN Tourism working closely with UN country teams to bring its expertise closer to people on the ground.
Secretary-General Guterres was accompanied by his wife, Catarina Vaz Pinto and was joined by Spain’s Secretary of State for Tourism Rosario Sánchez Grau, and the Director-General of Turespaña Miguel Sanz.
About UN Tourism
The World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), a United Nations specialised agency, is the leading international organisation with the decisive and central role in promoting the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and a practical source of tourism know-how. Its membership includes 166 countries, 6 territories, 2 permanent observers and over 500 Affiliate Members from the private sector.
Media enquires: [email protected]