Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 9, 2025-
The 26th UN Tourism General Assembly has unanimously elected Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais as the new Secretary-General, succeeding Zurab Pololikashvili. In her first remarks, Al Nowais outlined a visionary agenda focusing on transformative change in global tourism, prioritizing sustainable practices, community empowerment, and technological innovation.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and CulturalAffairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis, expressed her country’s support for the incoming Secretary-General, highlighting Sierra Leone’s commitment to UN Tourism’s priorities.
In her speech, Minister Tunis thanked the outgoing Secretary-General for his leadership and vision, particularly in promoting sustainability and digital innovation in tourism. She also highlighted Sierra Leone’s achievements, including hosting the Women in Tourism Leadership Africa Committee Regional Congress meeting in Freetown.
“We thank His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Al Khateeb, the Minister of Tourism, for integrating Artificial Intelligence and innovation into the global tourism agenda,” Minister Tunis said. “, adding that “Sierra Leone proudly joins Member States in welcoming and congratulating the incoming Secretary-General, the first woman to lead UN Tourism.”
Minister Tunis invited delegates to participate in the Third African Gastronomy Forum in Freetown next year and the World’s largest amateur rally, the Budapest Bamako Freetown Challenge, in February. “We call on Member States and partners to collaborate with us in making this Forum a continental platform for celebrating Africa’s rich culinary heritage and empowering women and communities behind it,” she said.
On behalf of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the people of Sierra Leone, Minister Tunis reaffirmed her country’s commitment to UN Tourism’s vision of a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable tourism sector.
Minister Tunis is leading a five-member delegation at the 26th Session of the UN Tourism conference, comprising Sierra Leone’s Deputy Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Abdul Aziz Turay, Ms Judith Jones, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Mohamed Jalloh, Director of Tourism Travel and Exchange Programmes, and Alhaji Ibrahim Koi-Dowui, Sierra Leone’s Cultural Attaché to Saudi Arabia.
For enquiries:
Alhaji Abubakarr Bah, Information Attaché
Embassy of Sierra Leone
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Email: information.attache@sa.slembassy.gov.sl
