Zambia Chairs High-Level African Tourism Talks in Riyadh
Zambia’s Minister of Tourism, Honourable Rodney M. Sikumba, MP, has led a high-level consultative meeting of African Ministers of Tourism and Heads of Delegation, held on the sidelines of the 26th Session of the United Nations Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism) General Assembly in Riyadh.
Honourable Sikumba chaired the session in his capacity as Chairperson of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF).
The meeting brought together representatives from 23 African Member States and served as a key platform to strengthen regional cooperation and ensure Africa speaks with a unified voice in global tourism policy discussions.
In his opening remarks, Minister Sikumba highlighted the continent’s shared commitment to advancing sustainable tourism development, calling for deeper coordination, innovation, and policy alignment.
He emphasised that Africa’s cultural heritage, natural beauty and hospitality remain its strongest competitive assets in the global tourism marketplace.
He further urged Member States to adopt an inclusive and transformative tourism model that protects biodiversity, preserves cultural heritage, and empowers local communities, noting that tourism remains one of the continent’s most powerful drivers of job creation, economic diversification and cultural exchange.
The gathering concluded with a renewed commitment to enhance regional integration, strengthen partnerships, and ensure Africa’s priorities are effectively represented in UN Tourism outcomes.
With a collective pledge to work together, African Ministers reaffirmed their vision of positioning the continent as a resilient, dynamic, and sustainable tourism powerhouse.
