ТАSHKENT, April 1. /Dunyo IA/.  Today, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, received the Secretary-General of the UN Tourism, Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

According to the press service of the Head of our State, discussions focused on expanding long-term, multifaceted cooperation between Uzbekistan and this specialized UN agency.

The head of the organization highly praised the extensive reforms in Uzbekistan’s tourism sector. Efforts are consistently made to modernize infrastructure and expand tourism options. The network of air routes is growing, new museums are being established around the country and major cultural events are regularly held.

It was emphasized that over the past eight years, the number of tourists visiting Uzbekistan has increased sixfold, reaching nearly 12 million. By 2030, the goal is to raise this number to 20 million and boost the tourism sector’s share of the country’s GDP to 7 percent.

The growing cooperation between Uzbekistan and UN Tourism was noted with great satisfaction. In 2023, the Organization’s General Assembly was successfully held in Samarkand, the International Academy of Tourism was established, and a Thematic Office “Tourism on the Silk Road” will soon open.

At the initiative of Uzbekistan, a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly was adopted declaring 2027 the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism.

At the meeting, readiness to develop the partnership was confirmed, including improving the international legal framework in tourism, implementing joint projects, expanding expert and technical cooperation, and training highly qualified personnel for the tourism industry.

As a reminder, during a meeting with European ambassadors in Madrid in early February, Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais emphasized: “Uzbekistan is a beautiful country. I have long dreamed of visiting it, and I hope this dream will come true soon”.