A delegation led by the Chairman of the State Tourism Agency, Fuad Naghiyev, participated in the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting and the 4th session of the Tourism Working Group, held on September 19-21 in Belém, Brazil.
During the event, Fuad Naghiyev delivered a speech highlighting the inclusion of tourism as a thematic agenda item for the first time in COP history. He emphasized the collaboration between the COP29 Presidency, the State Tourism Agency, and the UN Tourism in integrating tourism into COP29, which will take place in Baku from November 11-22. He provided details on the Tourism Day, scheduled for November 20, featuring a ministerial meeting and thematic discussions, and invited G20 tourism ministers to attend. Additionally, he underlined the significance of the "Declaration on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism," planned for adoption during COP29.
In his address, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili praised the inclusion of tourism in COP for the first time, underscoring its importance for G20 and other countries' tourism sectors and calling for support for this initiative.
During the UN Tourism Sustainability Forum, Kenan Gasimov, the Chief of Staff of the State Tourism Agency participated in a dialogue on sustainable tourism development. He highlighted the role of tourism in global climate change mitigation, emphasizing Azerbaijan’s experience, opportunities, and challenges in this field.
Within the framework of the G20 Tourism Ministers' Meeting, bilateral discussions were held with Zurab Pololikashvili, Spain’s Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu Boher, Brazil’s Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino, Italy’s Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanchè, China’s Vice Minister of Tourism and Culture, Zhang Zheng, and Czechia’s Deputy Minister for Regional Development, Jan Fluxa. Additionally, a trilateral meeting was conducted with Fuad Naghiyev, Celso Sabino, and the UAE’s Minister of Economy, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri. These discussions centered around tourism’s role at COP29 and the planned ministerial meeting on November 20, with Fuad Naghiyev extending invitations to his counterparts.
A special exhibition booth dedicated to COP29 was set up at the event venue, where visitors were informed about Azerbaijan’s role as the host nation and the significance of the Tourism Day agenda within the COP29 framework.
