Luanda: The third and final day of the United Nations Tourism/International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Ministerial Conference concluded with a high-level panel discussion on "Promoting Resilient and Sustainable Growth in the Tourism and Air Transport Sectors in Africa" and the signing of the Luanda Final Declaration. This event gathered ministers, policymakers, and industry leaders to outline a shared vision for building resilient and sustainable tourism and air transport systems across Africa. According to Angola Press News Agency, the conference delved into issues such as regional integration, infrastructure development, policy harmonization, and financial innovation. It served as a platform to identify priority actions aimed at improving connectivity and unlocking investment, thereby boosting economic transformation. The conference is expected to culminate in a Joint Ministerial Declaration, reaffirming African States' commitment to coordinated action and long-term resilience, aligning with the Af rican Union (AU) Agenda 2063, and the tourism structures of the UN and ICAO. The conference commenced on Tuesday with over 500 delegates, including 21 ministers, alongside senior representatives from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and UN Tourism Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili. The 2nd Ministerial Conference also facilitated discussions among experts and operators from the tourism and air transport sectors, focusing on challenges and solutions for inter-African tourism. The main objective of the conference was to find integrated solutions to advance the development of tourism and air transport as critical components of the African economy, within the framework of the Open Sky Initiative. At the conclusion of the event, participants were urged to submit a joint declaration promoting travel facilitation in Africa, utilizing mechanisms to reduce bureaucracy in visa processes or fully liberalize multiple entries.
