Historic First: Emirati business leader Shaikha Al Nowais appointed first woman Secretary-General of UN Tourism
Shaikha Al Nowais (Image credit: Shaikha Al Nowais official webiste)
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) has elected Shaikha Al Nowais as the next Secretary-General of UN Tourism. She will be the first woman to lead the organization since its establishment in 1975, marking 50 years of its history.
Nowais is set to begin her term in January 2026 after the retirement of Zurab Pololikashvili, the current Secretary-General.
The decision of Nowais' appointment was taken in the 123rd session of the UN Tourism council meeting held at Spain on May 30.
As a Secretary-General, Nowais aims to focus on sustainability, digital transformation, economic empowerment, ethical governance and cultural exchange. Her goal is to build an inclusive and innovative tourism sector that helps drive global prosperity.
According to her official website, Nowais' vision is 'to lead UN Tourism in promoting responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism that stimulates economic growth and enriches global communities.'
Nowais, an Emirati business leader, has over 16 years of experience in the global hospitality industry. She is currently the corporate vice-president of owner relationship management at the Rotana hotel chain, where she manages owner relations across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Turkey.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Heads Turn As Walgreens Shoppers Discover 87¢ ED Pills
fridayplans
Learn More
Undo
She has extensive experience in corporate governance, sustainability and economic development and is known for her strategic vision in advancing global tourism initiatives.
A graduate from Zayed University, Dubai majoring in Finance, Nowais also chairs the Abu Dhabi Chamber's Tourism Working Group and serves on the boards of the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council and Les Roches Hospitality Academy.
Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Yamahi, Speaker of the Arab Parliament, has congratulated Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais on her election as the new Secretary-General of UN Tourism.
In a statement, Al Yamahi praised the achievement as a reflection of the great success of Emirati women at both regional and international levels. He credited this progress to the strong support and vision of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who continues to empower women and support their role in the UAE's development.
He stated that this achievement is a source of pride for the UAE and the entire Arab world. It strengthens the presence of Arab women in global decision-making positions and shows that Emirati professionals can lead international organisations with skill and excellence.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
GITAM holds spl graduation ceremony for int'l students
Visakhapatnam: Gitam Deemed to be University conducted its sixth special graduation ceremony for international students from Kenya, Rwanda, Bhutan, Nigeria, Nepal, Ethiopia, Uganda, and other nations. As many as 60 international students completed their academic programs in engineering, science, pharmacy, paramedical sciences, and management this year at Gitam. Addressing the gathering, registrar Prof D Gunasekharan highlighted the growing appeal of India's higher education system among international students. "India's educational landscape rich in diversity, culture, and history makes it a preferred global destination for academic pursuits. Education plays a critical role in fostering economic growth and development across nations," said Prof Gunasekharan. GITAM School of Pharmacy principal Prof Srinivas urged graduates to apply their acquired knowledge towards the development of human capital in their home countries. He encouraged them to pursue research-oriented careers to better serve society. GIMSR biochemistry department Prof Dr K Viswa Kalyan congratulated the students and encouraged them to continue learning in order to stay competitive in today's world. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Director of international affairs Dr. KPC Kishan said that over 400 students from 43 countries are currently enrolled across various programs at Gitam. He acknowledged the Union govt's 'Study in India' initiative for promoting Indian higher education on the global stage. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Rate-cut boost: Rupee jumps 11 paise to 85.68 against dollar; market rally and CRR cut lift sentiment
The rupee appreciated by 11 paise to close at 85.68 against the US dollar on Friday, reversing early losses after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) delivered a surprise 50 basis point repo rate cut and announced a phased 100 basis point reduction in the cash reserve ratio (CRR). The local unit opened weak at 85.91, down 12 paise from the previous close of 85.79. But sentiment turned sharply positive after the RBI's unexpected rate action, which supported growth prospects and lifted domestic equities. The rupee touched an intra-day high of 85.66 and a low of 86 before settling higher, PTI reported. "The rupee led the pack among Asian currencies, buoyed by the RBI's surprise 50 basis point rate cut. This decisive, growth-driven policy move provided a significant boost to the local currency and fuelled optimism among domestic equity investors," said Dilip Parmar, Senior Research Analyst at HDFC Securities. At the policy briefing, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said the decision to move to a 'neutral' stance from 'accommodative' reflected a data-dependent outlook going forward. He added that the economy remained resilient, with foreign reserves strong enough to fund 11 months of imports and cover 96% of external debt. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mistura chinesa faz cabelo crescer e homem fica irreconhecível Resultados em 30 dias Undo The surprise CRR cut is expected to inject additional liquidity into the banking system, lowering borrowing costs and aiding credit transmission. Anurag Mittal, Head of Fixed Income at UTI AMC, called the move "pre-emptive and precise," noting that the central bank's intent to fast-track transmission was clear despite existing surplus liquidity. The RBI retained its GDP growth forecast for FY25 at 6.5%. Despite the rate-induced rally, analysts warned of external risks. A rising dollar index, up 0.25% to 98.98, and weakening Asian currencies could limit further gains for the rupee. Brent crude futures slipped 0.26% to $65.17 per barrel. 'Any further rate cut by the RBI may also pressurise the rupee. However, a positive tone in the domestic markets may support the domestic currency at lower levels,' said Anuj Choudhary, Research Analyst at Mirae Asset Sharekhan. He expects the USD-INR pair to trade between 85.40 and 86.25 in the near term. Equity markets reflected the upbeat sentiment. The Sensex closed 747 points higher at 82,189, while the Nifty crossed the 25,000-mark to end at 25,003, up 252 points. Foreign institutional investors were net buyers, purchasing equities worth Rs 1,009.71 crore, exchange data showed. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Chenab bridge: How project team navigated through steep slopes on horses, mules
To realise the vision of travelling from "Kashmir to Kanyakumari" by rail, the project team behind the construction of Chenab bridge faced several challenges. Among them was how to reach the location surrounded by the steep slopes of the Himalayas. The team had only one option -- horses and mules. According to Afcons Infrastructure Limited , the top infrastructure company that constructed the bridge, one of the main and earliest challenges was access to the bridge location, to transport equipment and construction materials. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Killer New Honda CR-V Is Utter Perfection (Take A Look) SneakerToast Undo "Initially, mules and horses were used by the project team to reach the location. Slowly over a period, temporary roads were created and access was made available to the site," a spokesperson from the company said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the iconic Chenab Bridge, Anji Rail Bridge and Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project and flagged off Vande Bharat trains, connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Live Events The spokesperson added that eventually on the North side of the river bank, an 11-km road was constructed and a 12-km long road on the South side. Krishnamurthy Subramanian, Executive Vice Chairman, Afcons, said the Chenab Railway Bridge is more than just a marvel of engineering. "It is a symbol of India's resolve to conquer the most formidable challenges with ingenuity and courage," Subramanian told PTI. The company used the world's tallest crossbar cable cranes and specialised heavy machinery as tools for this ambitious project. "The ancient and steep slopes of the Himalayas were tamed using massive consolidation grouting, making them sturdy for the colossal arch foundations," the company said, highlighting challenges it faced. "With the foundations set, the erection of the arch from both sides was planned by cantilever construction technique. The first big moment of triumph came on April 5, 2021, when a single majestic arch approaching steadily from both banks met at the crown," it added. "The viaduct construction was another unique challenge. There were multiple transition areas. Keeping this in mind, the launching sequence was meticulously planned in four sections," the spokesperson. Giridhar Rajagopalan, Deputy Managing Director, Afcons told PTI that for the first time in Indian Railways , incremental launching was done on transition curve and a longitudinal gradient, both occurring at same location, for the deck launching of the viaduct portion of the Chenab Bridge. S Paramasivan, Managing Director, Afcons, "For Afcons, it represents our unwavering commitment to nation-building and our ability to reimagine infrastructure in the toughest terrains. This bridge will inspire generations of engineers and stands as a tribute to the power of Indian engineering and teamwork." For the first time in the Indian Railways' history, a laboratory accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration (NABL) was set up to ensure that quality was being monitored at every stage of the project. Situated at a height of 359 metres above the river, the Chenab bridge is 35 metres higher than the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris and the world's highest railway bridge over the Chenab river. After inaugurating the Chenab bridge, the prime minister walked on it holding the Tricolour high. He travelled in a rail engine coach to reach the spot.
