Shaikha Al Nowais Nominated as First Woman to Lead UN Tourism
Shaikha Al Nowais of the United Arab Emirates has been officially nominated to serve as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism). If elected, she would be the first woman to lead the agency since its founding in 1975.
The nomination was confirmed during the 123rd session of the UN Tourism Executive Council, held in Segovia, Spain. Al Nowais received 24 votes in the final round, surpassing candidates from Greece, Mexico, and Ghana. Her appointment is hoped to be ratified at the UN Tourism General Assembly later this year, which will be hosted in Saudi Arabia.
Al Nowais brings over 16 years of experience in the global tourism and hospitality sector, most notably serving as Corporate Vice President at Rotana Hotels. She is also a board member of the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council, chairs the Abu Dhabi Chamber's Tourism Working Group, and sits on the advisory board of Les Roches Hospitality Academy.
Her proposed leadership vision for UN Tourism centres on promoting responsible tourism, increasing opportunities for women and youth, leveraging digital transformation, and encouraging innovative financing and inclusive governance across the sector.
If confirmed, Al Nowais will begin her four-year term in January 2026, succeeding current Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
2 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Half of Syria's Population Faces Food Insecurity
Israa Farhan Syria is grappling with a deepening food crisis as the worst drought in 36 years slashes wheat production by nearly 40 percent, intensifying pressure on a cash-strapped government unable to secure large-scale imports. The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has warned that around three million Syrians could face severe hunger, with more than half of the country's 25.6 million people currently suffering from food insecurity. Syrian experts say the crisis has been compounded by a significant drop in funding from international and UN organizations, worsening the humanitarian situation across the country. Millions of internally displaced Syrians remain unable to return to their original homes due to destroyed infrastructure and ongoing instability. Sheikhmous Ahmed, head of the Office for Organizations and Humanitarian Affairs in Syria, said years of conflict have devastated the country's infrastructure, agriculture and social life, fueling waves of internal displacement and external migration. He noted that the absence of a long-term economic recovery plan has deepened the humanitarian collapse. Ahmed called on both Arab and international partners to provide urgent support for Syria's economy, stressing the need to rebuild stability in the north and east, the country's main agricultural hubs. He also urged international companies to help restore oil fields, rehabilitate industrial and commercial infrastructure and reopen border crossings to global trade. Syrian economist Khorshid Alika highlighted the devastating economic toll of the conflict, pointing out that factories were abandoned or destroyed, while much of the skilled workforce fled. The education system, both at school and university levels, has sharply deteriorated, leaving millions of students without access to learning and driving illiteracy rates higher. Alika added that the Syrian pound has lost over 93 percent of its value, while domestic production and exports have collapsed, forcing the country to rely almost entirely on imports and remittances. Despite signing economic and trade agreements with Arab and foreign companies, he noted that these deals have yet to deliver any tangible results. He also warned that international aid to Syria has significantly declined, while political instability has made services scarce and unaffordable for most households. The average income now covers only a few days of living expenses, leaving millions on the brink of poverty. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid Videos & Features Story behind Trending Jessica Radcliffe Death Video News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt News The Jessica Radcliffe Orca Attack? 100% Fake and AI-Generated
Mid East Info
a day ago
- Mid East Info
O Gold Receives Shariah Certification for Gold and Silver Investments and Wakalah Gold Earnings - Middle East Business News and Information
Certification highlights O Gold's leadership in delivering ethical, transparent, and fully Shariah-compliant fintech solutions for precious metal ownership. Dubai, United Arab Emirates: O Gold, the UAE's first Emirati fractional gold and silver ownership app, has been awarded a Shariah Compliance Certification from the Center of Islamic Banking and Economics. This certification marks a significant milestone and reaffirms the company's commitment to Islamic finance principles. O Gold offers insured and secure gold and silver buying and selling, along with Wakalah Gold Earnings, all fully compliant with Shariah principles. Wakalah Gold Earnings provides returns in gold, ensuring profits remain asset-based and interest-free. Every transaction is transparent, backed by high-purity gold and silver, with clear asset identification and no speculative practices. 'Receiving this certification is an honour and a crucial step in our mission to redefine gold ownership,' said Bandar Alothman, Founder of O Gold. 'It validates our dedication to transparency and ethical practices and demonstrates our commitment to providing a platform that is not only accessible and secure, but also completely aligned with the values of our community.' 'We are pleased to certify O Gold's gold and silver trading and investment offerings as fully compliant with AAOIFI Shariah standards,' said Mr. Muhammad Zubair, CEO of AlHuda CIBE. 'This certification reflects O Gold's commitment to ethical, transparent, and asset-backed precious metals solutions that meet the highest standards of Islamic finance. We believe this initiative will not only provide investors with Shariah-compliant opportunities but will also contribute to the global growth of Halal investment products.' O Gold stands apart as the first Emirati platform enabling customers to own fractional amounts of gold and silver starting from just AED 1. This innovation opens doors for everyday investors, allowing them to benefit from precious metal ownership without the need to purchase large, costly quantities. The platform offers a complete ecosystem that empowers users to buy, sell, or lease gold with just a few taps, enjoy competitive market prices, and have their gold securely delivered to their doorstep. With this certification, O Gold sets a new standard for gold investment in the Middle East, paving the way for a future where financial growth aligns seamlessly with faith-based principles.
Mid East Info
2 days ago
- Mid East Info
UAE Chambers explores investment opportunities with Mali - Middle East Business News and Information
The Federation of the UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry highlighted investment opportunities in the Republic of Mali during the UAE-Mali Business Forum, hosted by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry SCCI, in collaboration with UAE Chambers and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs MoFA. H.E Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Vice Chairman of the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of SCCI, extended a warm welcome to the Malian trade delegation visiting the UAE from 13 to 18 August. He praised the growing bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and emphasized that the investment opportunities on offer present strong appeal for Emirati investors, especially within the framework of the UAE's economic diversification strategy. Al Owais affirmed the commitment of the UAE Chambers, and specifically the Sharjah Chamber, to actively promote these opportunities among their business communities to encourage investment in Mali, pointing out that they cover a wide range of sectors. He emphasized the UAE business community's growing interest in exploring Mali's investment environment, underlining the UAE Chambers' commitment to strengthen cooperation with their Malian counterparts in the coming period. He pointed out plans to sign a memorandum of understanding aimed at establishing a joint business council that will serve as a structured platform for direct engagement between private sector representatives from both sides. The council will focus on strategic sectors such as agriculture, food security, infrastructure, energy, and mining. Al Owais voiced his optimism that the UAE-Mali Business Forum would serve as a catalyst for expanded trade and investment cooperation between the UAE and Mali. The Malian delegation, headed by Madiou Simpara, President of the Mali Chamber of Commerce and Industry, presented a portfolio of investment opportunities to the UAE side. The proposed projects span key sectors such as renewable energy, artesian wells, and infrastructure development, and include the establishment of both a large-scale commercial complex and a sports complex. Additional opportunities covered manufacturing, urban development, and land transport sectors in addition to the construction of a state-of-the-art international hospital. Madiou Simpara invited UAE business sector's representatives to visit Mali and assess firsthand the viable investment opportunities of mutual economic value. He noted that the Chamber of Mali seeks to foster stronger collaboration with the UAE chambers across multiple sectors, with the objective of advancing commercial cooperation and reinforcing bilateral trade ties.
