{"id":1067,"date":"2025-10-23T00:13:47","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T00:13:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/?p=1067"},"modified":"2025-10-23T00:13:47","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T00:13:47","slug":"un-tourism-secretariat-confers-with-hon-rodney-sikumba-following-his-election-as-chairperson-of-the-un-tourism-regional-commission-for-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/?p=1067","title":{"rendered":"UN Tourism Secretariat Confers with Hon. Rodney Sikumba Following His Election as Chairperson of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1068\" src=\"http:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/un-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/un-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/un-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/un.jpg 799w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1069\" src=\"http:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508184186_695170833393193_6980803866867919396_n-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508184186_695170833393193_6980803866867919396_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508184186_695170833393193_6980803866867919396_n-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508184186_695170833393193_6980803866867919396_n.jpg 799w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1070\" src=\"http:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508289168_695170016726608_5249617159327372860_n-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508289168_695170016726608_5249617159327372860_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508289168_695170016726608_5249617159327372860_n-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508289168_695170016726608_5249617159327372860_n.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1071\" src=\"http:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508198672_695170860059857_7999061817682875444_n-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508198672_695170860059857_7999061817682875444_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508198672_695170860059857_7999061817682875444_n-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508198672_695170860059857_7999061817682875444_n.jpg 799w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1072\" src=\"http:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/507961136_695170983393178_872345267176748870_n-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/507961136_695170983393178_872345267176748870_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/507961136_695170983393178_872345267176748870_n-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/507961136_695170983393178_872345267176748870_n.jpg 799w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1073\" src=\"http:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508359710_695193816724228_269217438857200920_n-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508359710_695193816724228_269217438857200920_n-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508359710_695193816724228_269217438857200920_n-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508359710_695193816724228_269217438857200920_n-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508359710_695193816724228_269217438857200920_n.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1074\" src=\"http:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/506977802_695193873390889_3844388543331823649_n-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/506977802_695193873390889_3844388543331823649_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/506977802_695193873390889_3844388543331823649_n-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/506977802_695193873390889_3844388543331823649_n-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/506977802_695193873390889_3844388543331823649_n-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/506977802_695193873390889_3844388543331823649_n.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1075\" src=\"http:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/506858776_695138773396399_3106883902512870798_n-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" srcset=\"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/506858776_695138773396399_3106883902512870798_n-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/506858776_695138773396399_3106883902512870798_n-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/506858776_695138773396399_3106883902512870798_n.jpg 799w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1076\" src=\"http:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508693998_695139143396362_2339207459000293132_n-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" srcset=\"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508693998_695139143396362_2339207459000293132_n-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508693998_695139143396362_2339207459000293132_n-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/508693998_695139143396362_2339207459000293132_n.jpg 799w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">The UN Tourism Secretariat, through Executive Director Ms. Natalia Bayona and Regional Director for Africa Ms. Elcia Grandcourt, extended their warm congratulations and full support to Hon. Rodney Sikumba, Minister of Tourism for the Republic of Zambia, on his recent election as Chairperson of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF). This milestone was officially recognized following the 68th Session of the Commission held from 11th to 13 th June 2025, in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">In their meeting, the Secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Hon. Sikumba as he assumes his leadership role, which will play a pivotal part in shaping Africa\u2019s tourism agenda. This includes aligning with the strategic priorities identified in the recent UN Tourism Member States Survey, which informs the Programme of Work for 2026\u20132027, building up to what has already been achieved. The Survey cites top priorities for Destinations in Africa which include and are not limited to the following:<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">\u27a2 Human Capital Development;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">\u27a2 Developing Infrastructure, superstructure and tourism sites;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">\u27a2 Attracting investments in tourism;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">\u27a2 Enhancing promotion, branding, and positioning of the destination;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">\u27a2 Reviewing, improving and enforcing tourism legal and regulatory frameworks;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">\u27a2 Protecting and managing natural resource, promotion of greener practises;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">\u27a2 Mitigating and adapting to climate change;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">\u27a2 Destination marketing (accessing new markets)<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">\u27a2 Promoting sustainable development of tourism.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">Both parties underscored the importance of addressing additional pressing issues such as air connectivity, safety, health and security among others as measures to unlock the full potential of the African tourism sector. Under Zambia\u2019s leadership, and with the collaborative efforts of African Member States, there is a shared vision to foster a tourism industry that is more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable positioning Africa as a leading destination globally.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">At the same session, Zambia was unanimously elected to Chair the Regional Commission, alongside:<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">\u2022 Hon. Mrs. Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">\u2022 Hon. Mr. Marcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, Minister of Hotels and Tourism of the Republic of Angola<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">Both will serve as Vice Chairpersons of the Commission.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">In addition, Zambia secured a significant victory by being re-elected amid strong competition to the UN Tourism Executive Council, the organization\u2019s key governing body responsible for ensuring that its global mandate is effectively implemented.<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">This dual recognition reflects Zambia\u2019s growing leadership and influence in shaping the future of tourism across Africa<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"html-span xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak xexx8yu xyri2b x18d9i69 x1c1uobl x1hl2dhg x16tdsg8 x1vvkbs\"><a class=\"x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n x18oe1m7 x1sy0etr xstzfhl x972fbf x10w94by x1qhh985 x14e42zd x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak xexx8yu xyri2b x18d9i69 x1c1uobl x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xkrqix3 x1sur9pj x1fey0fg x1s688f\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/web.facebook.com\/hashtag\/tourismleadership?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZWk3dt3Iw2ocqtgAliiql98m7ucmn-edXzX1DrCVXt_eJRmEDR83UoeJvbdZvTZh0NH1L_m-loJaG5Xff5kqnsdnKVFlkC7HUuofNh2bnKzNAM1K3ozVIpf6xr4R3cF-0M8rxwQeI8EesL47dfOqkDOUXUQf9_h5HeVNhso0ZqU9A&amp;__tn__=*NK-R\">#TourismLeadership<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"html-span xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak xexx8yu xyri2b x18d9i69 x1c1uobl x1hl2dhg x16tdsg8 x1vvkbs\"><a class=\"x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n x18oe1m7 x1sy0etr xstzfhl x972fbf x10w94by x1qhh985 x14e42zd x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak xexx8yu xyri2b x18d9i69 x1c1uobl x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xkrqix3 x1sur9pj x1fey0fg x1s688f\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/web.facebook.com\/hashtag\/africatourism?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZWk3dt3Iw2ocqtgAliiql98m7ucmn-edXzX1DrCVXt_eJRmEDR83UoeJvbdZvTZh0NH1L_m-loJaG5Xff5kqnsdnKVFlkC7HUuofNh2bnKzNAM1K3ozVIpf6xr4R3cF-0M8rxwQeI8EesL47dfOqkDOUXUQf9_h5HeVNhso0ZqU9A&amp;__tn__=*NK-R\">#AfricaTourism<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"html-span xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak xexx8yu xyri2b x18d9i69 x1c1uobl x1hl2dhg x16tdsg8 x1vvkbs\"><a class=\"x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n x18oe1m7 x1sy0etr xstzfhl x972fbf x10w94by x1qhh985 x14e42zd x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak xexx8yu xyri2b x18d9i69 x1c1uobl x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xkrqix3 x1sur9pj x1fey0fg x1s688f\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/web.facebook.com\/hashtag\/zambiatourism?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZWk3dt3Iw2ocqtgAliiql98m7ucmn-edXzX1DrCVXt_eJRmEDR83UoeJvbdZvTZh0NH1L_m-loJaG5Xff5kqnsdnKVFlkC7HUuofNh2bnKzNAM1K3ozVIpf6xr4R3cF-0M8rxwQeI8EesL47dfOqkDOUXUQf9_h5HeVNhso0ZqU9A&amp;__tn__=*NK-R\">#ZambiaTourism<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"html-span xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak xexx8yu xyri2b x18d9i69 x1c1uobl x1hl2dhg x16tdsg8 x1vvkbs\"><a class=\"x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n x18oe1m7 x1sy0etr xstzfhl x972fbf x10w94by x1qhh985 x14e42zd x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak xexx8yu xyri2b x18d9i69 x1c1uobl x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xkrqix3 x1sur9pj x1fey0fg x1s688f\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/web.facebook.com\/hashtag\/untourism?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZWk3dt3Iw2ocqtgAliiql98m7ucmn-edXzX1DrCVXt_eJRmEDR83UoeJvbdZvTZh0NH1L_m-loJaG5Xff5kqnsdnKVFlkC7HUuofNh2bnKzNAM1K3ozVIpf6xr4R3cF-0M8rxwQeI8EesL47dfOqkDOUXUQf9_h5HeVNhso0ZqU9A&amp;__tn__=*NK-R\">#UNTourism<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"html-span xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak xexx8yu xyri2b x18d9i69 x1c1uobl x1hl2dhg x16tdsg8 x1vvkbs\"><a class=\"x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n x18oe1m7 x1sy0etr xstzfhl x972fbf x10w94by x1qhh985 x14e42zd x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak xexx8yu xyri2b x18d9i69 x1c1uobl x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xkrqix3 x1sur9pj x1fey0fg x1s688f\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/web.facebook.com\/hashtag\/sustainabletourism?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZWk3dt3Iw2ocqtgAliiql98m7ucmn-edXzX1DrCVXt_eJRmEDR83UoeJvbdZvTZh0NH1L_m-loJaG5Xff5kqnsdnKVFlkC7HUuofNh2bnKzNAM1K3ozVIpf6xr4R3cF-0M8rxwQeI8EesL47dfOqkDOUXUQf9_h5HeVNhso0ZqU9A&amp;__tn__=*NK-R\">#SustainableTourism<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"html-span xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak xexx8yu xyri2b x18d9i69 x1c1uobl x1hl2dhg x16tdsg8 x1vvkbs\"><a class=\"x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n x18oe1m7 x1sy0etr xstzfhl x972fbf x10w94by x1qhh985 x14e42zd x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak xexx8yu xyri2b x18d9i69 x1c1uobl x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xkrqix3 x1sur9pj x1fey0fg x1s688f\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/web.facebook.com\/hashtag\/caf68?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZWk3dt3Iw2ocqtgAliiql98m7ucmn-edXzX1DrCVXt_eJRmEDR83UoeJvbdZvTZh0NH1L_m-loJaG5Xff5kqnsdnKVFlkC7HUuofNh2bnKzNAM1K3ozVIpf6xr4R3cF-0M8rxwQeI8EesL47dfOqkDOUXUQf9_h5HeVNhso0ZqU9A&amp;__tn__=*NK-R\">#CAF68<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The UN Tourism Secretariat, through Executive Director Ms. Natalia Bayona and Regional Director for Africa Ms. Elcia Grandcourt, extended their warm congratulations and full support to Hon. Rodney Sikumba, Minister of Tourism for the Republic of Zambia, on his recent election as Chairperson of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF). This milestone was [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":1068,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1067","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abuja-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1067"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1067"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1067\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1077,"href":"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1067\/revisions\/1077"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1068"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1067"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1067"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/missions.grz.gov.zm\/abuja\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1067"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}