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Statement by Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General a.i.,
the World Tourism Organization
Responding to climate change is a major challenge for our society in light of its social, economic and
environmental impacts. It is a global problem that demands global engagement. Tourism is especially
sensitive to climate variability and change. Rising sea levels, beach erosion, desertification, deforestation,
declining snow cover, receding glaciers and loss of biodiversity caused by global warming are harming
the tourism sector and the millions of people whose livelihoods depend on it. Today, tourism is a major
economic activity and is often the most valuable resource of developing countries and small islands. The
threat posed to it by climate change must therefore be urgently addressed.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, is engaged in
supporting the adaptation of tourism destinations to climate change and its effects. It is committed to helping
the sector move towards more efficient use of energy, while simultaneously reducing its contribution to global
warming. The ‘Davos Process’ it initiated at the International Conference on Climate Change and Tourism
in 2007 has enhanced awareness regarding this issue among all tourism stakeholders including travellers
themselves. It provides a framework for a coordinated response to climate change that does not jeopardize the
important role tourism plays as a tool for poverty alleviation.
Climate information is essential for decision makers in the tourism sector. In particular, they require access
to reliable seasonal and long-term climate predictions. This is vital because of the high degree of future
uncertainty deriving from climate change, as well as the limited relevance of past observations. In this regard,
the World Climate Conference-3 has the important goal of bridging the gap between the providers and users
of climate information.
UNWTO has actively supported the WCC-3 initiative from the beginning, as it represents an important step
in the joint effort to adapt to the risks of climate change.
Taleb Rifai
Secretary-General, a.i, the World Tourism Organization