UNWTO is proud to join the World Investment Alliance for Development and we look forward to working together to rethink and transform tourism investment.

WIDA President James Zhan adds: "WIDA fully recognises that UNWTO has been playing a leading role in promoting tourism investment for sustainable development and inclusive growth. He believes that UNWTO shares the same values as WIDA and can make a significant contribution to our common causes".

Boosting investment in the aftermath of the pandemic

UNWTO data shows that, in the aftermath of the pandemic, levels of investment in tourism fell dramatically. The UN specialised agency will celebrate this year's World Tourism Day (27 September) under the theme of "green investment" and, according to Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, greater cooperation with private sector actors will be vital both to boost investment levels and to direct funding to sustainability-focused projects.

"For this reason, I am pleased that UNWTO has confirmed our new agreement with the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM)," says Mr. Pololikashvili. "We see this collaboration as mutually beneficial, as we recognise the important contributions that the private sector can make to the strategic objectives of our organisation."

In line with the two organisations' commitment to cooperate in the implementation of the MoU, UNWTO will lead the "Tourism Investment Segment", an official side event of the upcoming Annual Investment Meeting, to be held from 8-10 May in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

AIM President Dawood Al Shezawi said: "AIM's mission has been to provide an interactive platform where investment opportunities can be formed, thereby not only strengthening economic relations between nations, but also addressing issues that have profound effects on a global scale. We also want to provide a platform where the brightest minds, from all sectors, can converge to find solutions and broaden ideas for development. We welcome this great opportunity to cooperate with the UNWTO and we are confident that this collaboration will be fruitful.