Remarks by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly

17 June 2022

 

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to start by conveying my sincere appreciation to the people and the government of the Dominican Republic for extending a warm welcome me and my delegation to this beautiful country.

Please allow me your Excellency, President Luis Abinader, to thank you for providing me the opportunity to speak here today.

Thank you to my colleagues, the previous panelists, for sharing their thoughts on this important topic, of the utmost relevance, especially as we recover from Covid-19.

As you are all aware, the pandemic has been indiscriminate in its impact on the global economy, and has been particularly disastrous for small island states like the Dominican Republic and the Maldives, both of which strongly rely on tourism as their most powerful lever to achieving the SDGs.

I am given to understand that while tourism represents 8.4% of Dominican Republic’s economy, its true impact is closer to 30% when its direct and indirect contributions to other industries are considered. As such, the importance of the sector cannot be overstated, especially at this moment, as we strive to recover from the pandemic.

Although many countries continue to struggle to recover from the damage wrought on by the pandemic, the Dominican Republic has been an oasis of Hope.

The country has done exceedingly well, breaking its own tourism records – an achievement from which we can only draw inspiration.

However, this moment also presents us with an opportunity to reinvent the tourism sector. To orient it towards a more sustainable path, which will drive economic progress while preserving our natural blessings and accelerating our path to achieving the SDGs.

My friends,

As nationals from top tourist destinations, we understand the long-term value and importance of environmental protection.

On the 4th of May, I held a High-Level Thematic Debate at the UN General Assembly to discuss “putting sustainable tourism at the heart of an inclusive recovery”.

During our discussions, Mr. Rafael Blanco, President of the Dominican Republic National Association of Hotels and Restaurants, reminded us how important people are to this industry.

Strengthening community-based tourism, which involves everyone, including women and youth, is how we will ensure the resilience and sustainability of this important sector.

It is also how we will ensure that the sector is more inclusive, and that everyone can reap its benefits.

In many SIDS, women make up the majority of workers in accommodation and food services, which are the backbone of tourism-related activities.

While their inclusion and employment in the industry is indispensable, the current situation is unfortunately a double-edged sword: women are severely underrepresented in higher-skilled professions such as travel agencies, tour operations and reservation services, which leaves them with more vulnerable jobs.

These facts are also indicative of the challenges faced by women when it comes to achieve gender equality,

All of us, encompassing governments, the private sector, and civil society, have a responsibility to remedy this, as part of our efforts to shape economies that not only facilitate economic prosperity, but are also environmentally sustainable, gender-equal, and socially just.

In that vein, I recall the words of Mr. Rainieri of Grupo Puntacana, during our High-Level Debate, when he stressed the necessity to rethink social and environmental responsibility as an intrinsic component of economic growth.

Highlighting the important role of the private sector in helping the government cope with crises, Mr. Rainieri also emphasized the sector’s capacity to set into motion the industry’s transition towards sustainability.

I agree wholeheartedly with this assessment.

As Covid-19 restrictions ease, and borders reopen, the tourism industry’s recovery prospects are very positive. This new chapter presents an opportunity for all stakeholders to mobilize and transform the sector into a more sustainable one, especially by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Cutting the sector’s carbon footprint will not only help combat climate change but will contribute to reducing economic and income inequalities, while supporting local communities.

I commend all of the Dominican Republic’s many initiatives in this regard. These efforts demonstrate the country’s commitment to sustainable tourism as a foundational pillar of its development.

Further, they emphasize the country’s commitment to ushering in a brighter future for all its communities, while leaving no one behind, which I sincerely commend.

Mr. President I share the sentiments you shared, while delivering your statement at the Davos Economic Forum: that you are “positive and optimistic” about the future of the Dominican Republic’s tourism.

So am I.

I am open to learning more about the sustainable initiatives emerging here in the Dominican Republic.

And I look forward to witnessing the country play a leading role in advocating for sustainable, inclusive and resilient tourism activities globally.

I thank you.