Mzembi seeks African Union support for top UNWTO post Walter Mzembi
Walter Mzembi

Walter Mzembi

TOURISM and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi yesterday said he is now seeking the endorsement of the African Union (AU) in his bid to become the next United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) secretary general. Minister Mzembi, who announced his candidature for the post in April this year, already has the backing of the Sadc regional bloc. The post, which is currently held by Jordanian Taleb Rifai, falls vacant next year.

Updating the media on his campaign, Minister Mzembi said he was confident of getting the AU’s endorsement at its next summit in Kigali, Rwanda in July.

“The next objective must be to seek endorsement of the candidature by the African Union so that this candidate, myself, officially becomes Africa’s candidate,” he said. “I’m pleased to share with you the fact that the requisite documentation has already been filed with the AU’s candidature committee in Addis Ababa.”

Minister Mzembi also gave a brief insight into the vision he has for the UNWTO if elected into office, including enhancing intra and inter-regional collaboration to boost tourism.

“In essence, I seek to ensure that the organisation achieves universal membership and improves affiliate and associate membership,” he said.

“More broadly still, we’re competing for this position with a clear vision to ensure a UNWTO that is responsive to member states aspirations for global tourism that’s inclusive, integrative, tolerant, responsible, empowering, equitable, sustainable and is an effective tool for citizen diplomacy.”

Minister Mzembi, who is incumbent chairman of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa, said he and his support team had stepped up campaign efforts. He said he was taking advantage of his current UNWTO post to campaign at every fora he is invited to.

Minister Mzembi, who served as a member of the UNWTO Executive Council from 2009 to 2013, oversaw the successful bidding and co-hosting of the 20th UNWTO General Assembly by Zimbabwe and Zambia in 2013.

The UNWTO was established as a specialised agency of the United Nations in 1974 and has a membership of 157 countries, six associate members and over 480 affiliate members representing the private sector and other stakeholders.

Zimbabwe joined the organisation in 1982. The UNWTO is responsible for the promotion of sustainable and universally accessible tourism worldwide. — New Ziana.

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