Syria participated in the 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly, which opened Friday (Nov 7) in the Saudi capital Riyadh and lasted till the Nov 11, with the participation of 160 delegations from the organization’s member states, including ministers, senior officials and representatives from global tourism sectors and organizations.
In his address to the session, Minister of Tourism Mazen al-Salhani affirmed Syria’s commitment to peace and international cooperation, emphasizing its efforts to reopen to the world through sustainable tourism as a bridge for communication among peoples and a cornerstone for development and prosperity.
“Our message from Damascus to the world,” al-Salhani said, “is that tourism is not only a journey to discover places, but also to rediscover our shared humanity. Syria once again extends its hand to build bridges of love and peace with all peoples.”
The minister expressed Syria’s gratitude and appreciation to the brotherly and friendly countries that stood by the Syrian people during their ordeal, stressing that true humanity and fraternity are measured by actions, not words.
He added: “From Ugarit, which wrote the world’s first alphabet, to Palmyra, Damascus and Aleppo, Syria continues to convey its civilizational message to the world – a hospitable nation rich in culture and history, opening its heart once again to welcome visitors.”
Al-Salhani noted that Syria is turning a new page based on hope and reconstruction, proving that beauty is stronger than destruction and reaffirming its place as a land of civilization and peace.
The General Assembly of the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), headquartered in Madrid, is the organization’s supreme decision-making body, comprising all member states of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). It oversees policy directions and ensures the implementation of the organization’s vision for the sustainable and organized development of global tourism.
