Luanda: Angolan Foreign Affairs Minister Tete Ant³nio met on Tuesday with the UN Secretary-General for Tourism, Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, in Luanda. Al Nowais is in the country to participate in the International Tourism Forum.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the meeting took place on the sidelines of the Conference on the Role of Angolan Diplomacy in the Conquest and Preservation of National Independence, which is taking place in Luanda from October 6 to 7. The two diplomats discussed potential areas of cooperation between Angola and UN Tourism, including developing training programs, fostering innovation, promoting sustainable investment, and marketing Angola as a tourist destination internationally.
Ant³nio presented the government's tourism priorities, emphasizing the importance of this sector in diversifying the national economy, creating jobs, and promoting the country's natural and cultural heritage. The UN official expressed appreciation for Angola's strategic vision and the importance the government places on tourism as a driver of development. She also expressed UN Tourism's interest in supporting institutional strengthening projects and promoting African destinations, particularly through partnerships with member states and specialized agencies.
In January 2026, Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais will officially assume the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations Tourism Organization, following the ratification of her appointment by the UN General Assembly. This election is a historic milestone as Al Nowais is the first woman to lead UN Tourism in its more than five decades of existence.
Originally from the United Arab Emirates, Al Nowais earned a degree in Business Science with a concentration in Finance from Zayed University. She began her career at the auditing firm KPMG, where she gained experience in financial auditing and internal control. In 2011, she joined the Rotana hotel group, serving as Director of Internal Audit and later as Corporate Vice President of Owner Relations. In this role, she was responsible for markets in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkey.
Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais is also the chair of the Abu Dhabi Chamber's Tourism Working Group and a member of the Abu Dhabi Women's Business Council and the board of the Les Roches Hospitality Academy. Her leadership program for UN Tourism focuses on priority areas such as responsible and sustainable tourism, digital inclusion, innovative financing, and strengthening international cooperation for the benefit of local communities.
