UN Tourism’s Affiliate Members Meet to Advance Public-Private Collaboration

Here’s a summary of the key outcomes from the 45th Affiliate Members Plenary Session held by UN Tourism during its 26th General Assembly in Riyadh:

Strengthening Public-Private Collaboration
- Around 200 delegates from over 100 affiliated entities gathered to:
- Review progress since the last session in October 2023
- Discuss the expansion strategy for a more quality-oriented and geographically balanced membership
- Present and evaluate over 50 project proposals for 2026–2027

Launch of the UN Tourism Awards
- The session featured the 1st UN Tourism Awards for Excellence in Sustainable Sports Tourism, in partnership with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).
- These awards recognize projects that integrate sustainability, innovation, and community impact in sports tourism.

Innovation & Knowledge Sharing
- Introduction of “Affiliate Members-Driven Services for UN Tourism”, a new mechanism allowing members to offer tailored services to Member States.
- Enhanced participation of Affiliate Members in the World Tourism Barometer, with designated experts contributing industry insights.

Recognition Across Eight Categories
UN Tourism honored Affiliate Members for achievements in:
- Promotion of Affiliate Membership (by region)
- Sports Tourism Development
- Assessment of New Tourism Trends
- Innovative Knowledge and Product Development
- Institutional Commitment
- Public-Private Collaboration Projects
- Advancing UN Tourism’s Programme of Work
- Supportive Partner Destinations

Strategic Vision
The session reaffirmed the importance of integrating Affiliate Members into UN Tourism’s governance and agenda, while opening new avenues for structured collaboration and global impact.