During an official visit to Kazakhstan, UN Tourism Secretary-General engaged in discussions with the President of Kazakhstan, focusing on opportunities for enhanced cooperation towards mutual objectives in tourism development.
As part of his visit to Astana, the Secretary-General took part in a roundtable organized by the President’s Affairs office, which convened key stakeholders in the country’s tourism sector to evaluate the current landscape, identify challenges, and establish strategic priorities.
Also, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, outlining essential areas for collaboration aimed at fostering inclusive and sustainable tourism development.
According to UN Tourism Secretary-General, the United Nations Tourism Organization is honored to collaborate with the Republic of Kazakhstan in leveraging the unique potential of sustainable tourism to foster economic growth and facilitate development.
“Through our joint efforts to encourage innovation and attract investments in this sector, we can generate numerous employment opportunities, assist businesses of various scales, and simultaneously safeguard and celebrate Kazakhstan’s rich cultural heritage and natural environment,” Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili stated.
In addition to the meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the UN Tourism delegation engaged in high-level discussions with Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabossynov, as well as Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry, Zhaslan Madiyev.
The conversations centered on the execution of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by both parties, emphasizing the significance of enhancing the tourism sector throughout the Republic.
In accordance with the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), UN Tourism will collaborate with the Ministry in several key areas:
- Sustainable Destination Development: The aim is to facilitate the sustainable growth of various destinations throughout the Republic of Kazakhstan, which includes promotional initiatives designed to attract international tourists and to diversify the social and economic advantages provided by the tourism sector.
- Digital Transformation in Tourism: This involves the creation and implementation of digital tools and platforms aimed at enhancing the tourist experience, promoting the adoption of innovative technologies, and supporting the development of smart travel initiatives, with a focus on establishing Astana as a leading global hub for Digitalization in Tourism.
- Education and Professional Development: The partnership will focus on developing training and exchange programs, as well as scholarships for students and professionals to gain international experience. Additionally, it will support the establishment of research centers, potentially including a new International Academy within the country.
- Tourism Innovation: The initiative seeks to encourage innovation within the tourism sector by promoting creative solutions and developing a supportive ecosystem for tourism innovation that nurtures talent and entrepreneurship, thereby driving growth and sustainability.
- Investment Promotion in Tourism: The collaboration will involve sharing expertise in promoting investments within the tourism sector, fostering partnerships, and conducting joint research projects to collect data and insights regarding tourism trends, impacts, and investment opportunities across the Republic of Kazakhstan and its regions.
During the official visit to Kazakhstan, the leadership of UN Tourism also received an invitation to attend the inauguration of the 5th World Nomad Games. This international event is designed to promote nomadic traditions, functioning not only as a tourist attraction but also as a method for safeguarding unique cultural heritage. The World Nomad Games have been recognized on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
