Ministers: Election of Sheikha Al Nuaimi as Secretary-General of the UN Tourism Organization is a Proud Achievement for the UAE

Sheikha Al Nuaimi

 Ministers: Election of Sheikha Al Nuaimi as Secretary-General of the UN Tourism Organization is a Proud Achievement for the UAE

A number of ministers in the UAE government affirmed that the election of Emirati national H.E. Sheikha Nasser Al Nuaimi as Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is a historic and proud achievement for the United Arab Emirates on both regional and international stages. They noted that this milestone reflects the UAE’s leading global status and the success of its strategic vision aimed at supporting international efforts to develop a sustainable and responsible tourism sector that contributes to economic and social development worldwide.

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the UAE Tourism Council, stated:

"Thanks to the directives of our wise leadership, the UAE today witnesses a new historic milestone for its tourism sector, with the election of the UAE’s nominee, H.E. Sheikha Al Nuaimi, as Secretary-General of the UNWTO for the term 2026–2029. This achievement is a testament to the UAE's influential global role in driving sustainable tourism development and its successful vision of international cooperation and leadership in the tourism industry."

He added:

"We are proud that the world has placed its trust in our national talents. The election of Sheikha Al Nuaimi as the first young Emirati and Arab woman to hold the post of UNWTO Secretary-General reflects the competence of our young national workforce and their ability to gain international trust in leading high-level roles in specialized sectors such as tourism. It also highlights the advanced status Arab women have achieved on both regional and global fronts."

He also praised Sheikha Al Nuaimi’s capabilities in representing the UAE at the highest international levels and for presenting a comprehensive vision for enhancing joint efforts toward sustainable and responsible global tourism growth. He emphasized her role in contributing effectively to the implementation of UNWTO projects and initiatives.

H.E. bin Touq noted that the UAE tourism sector has achieved exceptional growth indicators in 2024 and has launched several national initiatives aimed at promoting tourism and attracting international visitors. These include the launch of the fifth season of the "World's Coolest Winter" campaign, the unveiling of the National Tourism Charter, and the adoption of the International Code for the Protection of Tourists in collaboration with the UNWTO—all of which support the goals of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 to position the country as the world’s top tourism brand in the coming decade.

H.E. Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, said that the election of Sheikha Nasser Al Nuaimi as UNWTO Secretary-General is a significant achievement for both the UAE and Emirati women. She emphasized that her appointment as the first woman to hold this position reflects international confidence in her capabilities and highlights the UAE’s global leadership in sustainable development.

She added that Al Nuaimi’s distinguished track record in the private sector will contribute to introducing a fresh perspective focused on delivering tangible outcomes and enhancing the effectiveness of the organization’s operations in service of the global tourism sector.

H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, stated:

"Empowering Emirati women is a central pillar of our leadership’s vision for building a prosperous and progressive future. The UAE continues to promote the active participation of women in development across all fields, and supports their strong presence in regional and global arenas. In this context, the election of young Emirati Sheikha Al Nuaimi as Secretary-General of the UNWTO is a reflection of this forward-looking vision."

He added:

"Her election to this high-level international post is not only a testament to her competence and professional excellence but also reflects the international community’s confidence in the UAE as a reliable partner in advancing sustainable development around the world. It confirms the distinguished global standing of the UAE on regional and international fronts."

H.E. Omar Obaid Al Hassan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed the significance of this historic achievement in the tourism sector, noting that the election of the first Emirati woman by the UNWTO underscores the continuous support Emirati women receive from the country’s leadership. He added that the UAE’s ongoing efforts with the organization and its member states have borne fruit and voiced his confidence that Sheikha Al Nuaimi—backed by her strong experience in tourism and hospitality—will contribute to a qualitative shift in regional and global tourism efforts.