The World Peoples Assembly Prepares for the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism

The panel session "International Tourism: Cooperation and Development Prospects" was held on September 19, 2026, at the World Trade Center as part of the Second World Public Assembly "New World: Values That Unite," held in Moscow in September 2026.

The participants discussed promising areas of support for the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism – an initiative based on UN General Assembly resolution 78/260, adopted on February 26, 2024. The document proclaimed 2027 as the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism with the aim of drawing the attention of states, academic circles, and the general public to a holistic view of the development of the tourism industry, as well as opening new opportunities for substantive international interaction and harmonization of approaches to regulating the tourism sector.

Within the framework of the global agenda, the World Peoples Assembly is implementing the project "International Cooperation for Tourism Development". Its goal is to support international strategic initiatives in the tourism industry, which is one of the main drivers of the economy, social policy, and culture throughout the world. The World Peoples Assembly welcomes the efforts of state and public structures that, together with the Assembly, draw attention to the need for a transition to rational consumption models, promotion of the sustainable use of marine resources, promotion of local culture, and improvement of the quality of life of indigenous peoples.

- Recognizing the importance of proclaiming the International Year for improving mutual understanding between peoples, we see our task as ensuring that our events, forums, and round tables are aimed at raising people's awareness of the rich heritage of various civilizations, the need for careful treatment of the enduring values of cultures, and strengthening peace throughout the world, - emphasized the World Peoples Assembly.

In deciding to proclaim the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism, the UN General Assembly was guided by the purposes and principles of its Charter. The document emphasizes that "sustainable consumption and production patterns in tourism are intended to increase the net benefits of economic activity for the common good by improving resource efficiency and reducing the degradation and pollution of ecosystems throughout the entire tourism value chain."

The application of a systemic approach and cooperation of all participants in the value chain: tourism enterprises, local communities, and tourists themselves, is capable of ensuring the sustainability of the sector. UN Member States and other stakeholders are recommended to take advantage of the observance of the International Year to promote action at all levels, including through international cooperation, and to support sustainable and resilient tourism as one of the means of promoting and accelerating sustainable development.

The panel session "International Tourism: Cooperation and Development Prospects" was attended by:

• Khristofor Konstantinidi - moderator of the session, Director of the International Analytical Center for Sustainable Tourism Development of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN), Chairman of the Sustainable Tourism Committee of the CIS Business Center, Chairman of the Tourism Council of the World Peoples Assembly, Doctor of Economic Sciences (Russia);

• Andrey Tolbatov - Minister of Tourism and Health Resorts of Stavropol Krai (Russia);

• Tumun Tsydypov - First Deputy General Director of the limited liability company "Baikal.Center" (Russia);

• Sergey Lobarev - President of the National Association of Automobile and Motorcycle Tourism and Caravanning, Head of the Autotourism Committee of the Russian Union of Travel Industry (Russia);

• Evgeny Baklanov - General Director of the company "Niena Print" (Russia);

• Serge Fokas Odunlami - President of the Foundation "Center for Business Development and Cooperation with Russia," member of the General Council of the World Peoples Assembly (Benin);

• Abdulaziz Jeylani Osman - founder and General Director of the international technology and blockchain company BitHash (UAE);

• Abdelhad Al-Breizat - member of the Parliament of Jordan, head of the Jordan – Russia Friendship Committee (Jordan);

• Pham Hong Long - Chairman of the Scientific and Methodological Council of the Faculty of Tourism Studies of the University of Social and Human Sciences (Vietnam);

• Elena Kravchenko - Director of Tourism Development Centers of the Center for Strategic Research (Russia);

• Ibrahim Diane - Candidate of Biological Sciences, molecular biologist, expert in the field of pharmaceutical safety and innovation (Senegal).

The World Peoples Assembly plans to contribute to the intensive development of sustainable tourism through the implementation of joint projects with international partners in 2027.

Additional information is available on the official website of the World Peoples Assembly, on its VKontakte and Telegram accounts, and at media@world-assembly.org.