Message of
H. E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser
The High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
at UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture
“Building a New Partnership”
Delivered by Amb. Tariq Al-Ansari, Chief of Cabinet, UNAOC
4-6 February 2015 | Siem Reap, Cambodia
Your Excellency, Mr. Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister, Kingdom of Cambodia,
Your Excellency, Dr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism, Kingdom of Cambodia,
Your Excellency, Ms. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, Kingdom of Cambodia,
Your Excellency, Mr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General, UNWTO,
Your Excellency, Ms. Irina Bokova,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure for me to participate in the “UNWTO-UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture: Building a New Partnership, and particularly to deliver a message on behalf of His Excellency Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, the United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations.
I start by transmitting the UNAOC’s respect to His Majesty the King of Cambodia and his Government, as well as to the people of Cambodia and the city of Siem Reap, for hosting this very special conference.
We also appreciate the efforts of UNESCO and the World Tourism Organization and thank them for inviting the Alliance of Civilizations to address this occasion.
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations has solid partnerships with both UNESCO and WTO since our organizations have common objectives in promoting dialogue and understanding across cultures as essential instruments for peace and prosperity. The High Representative himself is in constant contact with Mr. Refaei and Ms. Bokova to coordinate and complement the efforts between the 3 organizations. Our support to and engagement with both organizations is priority on UNAOC’s agenda.
We gather here today to strengthen the connections between tourism and culture and the socio-economic opportunities they provide for Human Sustainable Development.
There couldn’t be a more splendid place than Cambodia for this conference, with its wealth of ancient cultural sites and its centuries old tradition of art. Cambodia has magnificent sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, such as Angkor Wat Temple and Preach Vihear Temple. The Royal Ballet of Cambodia is another sign of historical legacy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
UNAOC was created to galvanize international action towards a core understanding among nations regardless of differences in religion, history, background or culture. International stability requires that people of different cultures find ways to respect and tolerate each other’s beliefs and values. UNAOC is the expression by the international community of the need to address such issues, to act as soft power: a preventive diplomacy in the face of ideological threats to our global peace and security. Our activities are essential to support economic growth and human development for all.
Since its inception, UNAOC has brought together an influential network of political and corporate leaders, civil society activists, youth, journalists, foundations, international organizations, and religious leaders to agree on joint actions for improving relations across cultures, combating prejudice and building the conditions conducive for long-term peace, Human Rights and Development.
We spearhead programs, which aim at facilitating these goals through a series of programs and projects in the area of Youth, Education, Media, Migration and religious mediation.
Youth must be taught the culture and benefits of diversity and coexistence, Education is a basic Human Right that is needed to open the minds and heart to accept the others, Media is a tool that should be used to spread the message of peace, not the messages of insult, hate, discrimination, xenophopia and incitement, Migration is the first phenomena of Globalization that began thousands of years ago and it should be conceived as a prospect for development, not a problem.
On the other hand, tourism, more than ever, plays an essential role in helping people of different cultures to understand each other and eliminate cultural barriers. Millions of people travel across the globe every day to discover and share each other’s cultures. Tourism provides a means for people from different cultures and religions to know and understand each other.
Sustainable tourism can create opportunities for visitors and local communities to share cultural experiences and open the minds of the visitors and the hosts to appreciate the importance of diversity for the sake of advancement of humanity.
I am pleased to see that the conference brings together professionals of the tourist industry to find ways to expand sustainable tourism, create jobs while promoting standards for the respect of sites, craft industries and art forms that are part of the cultural, religious and social identity of the people who have been living around these sites for centuries.
The growth of tourism industry between developed and developing countries can provide great potentials for growth and development, if regulated in accordance with laws and ethics to protect human rights from exploitation.
We cannot underestimate the importance of sport values as well, which became a focus area to the work of the Alliance since it can easily pass the culture of peace to all peoples around the world, like music and Arts as well.
Therefore, Sustainable Tourism is essential for carrying these human expressions around and within different nations and cultures.
Let us continue to work together for the benefit of all and discuss how to build a renewed sense of commitment and partnership through Tourism and Cultural exchange, knowing that forging and strengthening global partnership for sustainable development is advancing towards the implementation of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
In conclusion, the UNAOC supports Siem Reap Declaration and wish all of us a very successful meeting.
I thank you.