Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 10th November 2025- Sierra Leone has pledged its full support to the newly elected Secretary-General of UN Tourism, Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, as the global tourism body ushers in a new era of leadership focused on sustainability, innovation, and community empowerment.
The announcement came during the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly held on November 9, 2025, in Riyadh, where Al Nowais was unanimously elected to succeed Zurab Pololikashvili. In her inaugural address, the new Secretary-General laid out a bold vision for transformative change in global tourism, placing emphasis on digital innovation, inclusive growth, and environmental responsibility.
Representing Sierra Leone at the high-level gathering, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis, welcomed the appointment and reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s alignment with UN Tourism’s evolving priorities.
“Sierra Leone proudly joins Member States in welcoming and congratulating the incoming Secretary-General, the first woman to lead UN Tourism,” Minister Tunis said.
She also extended gratitude to the outgoing Secretary-General for his leadership, particularly in advancing sustainability and digital transformation within the sector. Minister Tunis highlighted Sierra Leone’s own strides in tourism development, including the successful hosting of the Women in Tourism Leadership Africa Committee Regional Congress in Freetown.
In a nod to Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global tourism, she thanked His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Al Khateeb, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, for championing the integration of Artificial Intelligence and innovation into the global tourism agenda.
Looking ahead, Minister Tunis invited delegates to Sierra Leone for two major upcoming events: the Third African Gastronomy Forum, and the Budapest-Bamako-Freetown Challenge, the world’s largest amateur rally, set for February.
“We call on Member States and partners to collaborate with us in making this Forum a continental platform for celebrating Africa’s rich culinary heritage and empowering the women and communities behind it,” she urged.
Speaking on behalf of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the people of Sierra Leone, Minister Tunis reaffirmed the country’s commitment to building a tourism sector that is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.
Minister Tunis led a five-member delegation to the General Assembly, including Deputy Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alhaji Abdul Aziz Turay, Permanent Secretary Ms. Judith Jones, Director of Tourism Travel and Exchange Programmes Mohamed Jalloh, and Cultural Attaché Alhaji Ibrahim Koi-Dowui.
