Achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals through Tourism in Least Developed Countries Our Common Humanity in the Information Age: Principles & Values for Development NEW YORK, 29 November 2006 Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, all users of Information Communications Technologies (ICT), I am extremely pleased to take part in this special event. Forming global partnerships are essential in fighting poverty, working towards a shared future, and fostering the hope that all humanity will live in peace and prosperity.
UN Millennium Development Goals Eradicate extreme poverty & hunger Achieve universal primary education Promote gender equality & empower women Reduce child mortality Improve maternal health Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases Ensure environmental sustainability Develop a global partnership for development This hope is the backbone of the UN Millennium Development Goals, which include the desire to reduce extreme poverty by the year 2015. Some might question whether or not setting such a lofty goal is realistic. But, from life experience, I can assure you that what may seem impossible now, can become a reality with hard work, cooperation and diligence.
Korea s s Incredible Growth over 50 Years: Perseverance truly can pay off! When I was born in South Korea it was a Least Developed Country (LDC), with a per capita income of a little over $100 per year. But now I enjoy living in a country with the world s 12th largest economy and a per capita income of $16,000. Korea s success is the world s proof that perseverance truly can pay off!
A Viable Tool for Fighting Poverty 1. Sustainable tourism projects can be developed without large amounts of infrastructure. 2. Tourism provides jobs for those who are most vulnerable to poverty - women and youth. 60% of jobs in tourism are held by women. 3. It does not require a great amount of time to start a tourism project which can offer young adults employment and educational opportunities. But how can we ensure that hope is fostered globally, especially in the world s poorest regions? Well, after traveling internationally for nearly four decades, to the world s poorest and richest destinations, I have come to realize that one of the most viable tools that can be used in the fight against poverty is tourism, for three simple reasons: First, sustainable tourism projects can be developed without large amounts of infrastructure. We cannot simply wait around for huge developments to happen in the world s most desperate areas to spark employment; Secondly, tourism provides jobs for those who are most vulnerable to poverty - women and youth. Indeed, this ties directly with the 3 rd Millennium Development Goal, which aims to promote gender equality and empower women ; And finally, a large amount of time is not required to start a tourism project. In some of the poorer areas of Africa, where 50% of the population is under the age of 18, tourism can offer these young adults employment and educational opportunities.
Tourism s s Undeniable Growth In 2005, worldwide international tourist arrivals exceeded 800 million for the first time in history In 2006, Africa is the world s leader in terms of tourism growth, with an expected 10.6% increase With that said, tourism s potential is still greater than most people realize. Despite various terrorist attacks, devastating hurricanes and the tsunami aftermath, worldwide international tourist arrivals continue to increase, exceeding 800 million for the first time in 2005. Even more encouraging is that Africa is the world s leader in terms of tourism growth, with an expected 10.6% increase this year.
ST-EP will promote socially, economically and ecologically sustainable tourism, aimed at alleviating poverty and bringing jobs to people in developing countries these objectives are fully consistent with the goals set out in the Millennium Declaration. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan Ladies and Gentlemen, in order to harness this immense potential, the United Nations World Tourism Organization created the ST-EP Foundation. As its Board of Directors Chairperson, I would like to briefly introduce this Foundation to you. ST-EP s mission was born out of the Millennium Development Goals and its work aims to alleviate poverty through developing sustainable tourism projects in Least Developed Countries.
This year the ST-EP Foundation is supporting several projects and total funding will reach approximately $820,000 US. The assurances of environmental, socio-cultural and economic sustainability are the basis for all of these projects: Let me introduce one of these to you. In West Africa we have the Network of Cross-border National Parks and Protected areas project, and it involves nine countries in total, including: Benin, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Sierra Leone. Conducted in partnership with the Islamic Conference Organization (ICO) and the New Partnership for Africa s Development (NEPAD), this project will support and protect biodiversity at the national and sub regional levels.
A partnership that recognises the importance of harnessing the use of ICT for tourism related development and as a means of improving sustainable livelihoods in developing countries Ladies and Gentlemen, given this event s theme, I feel that it is important to also mention promoting tourism in Least Developed Countries through ICT. This type of promotion will not only offer economic benefits, but will also encourage learning and friendship among different cultures, races, and religions. This past July an agreement was signed between the UN World Tourism Organization and Microsoft Corporation to utilize the potential of ICT in the tourism industry. Through the creation of a new portal called Windows on Africa showcasing the continent in a globally competitive manner will quickly become a reality.
What will be the LEGACY of the 2010 World Cup? The World Cup Final will be watched by 4.5 billion people! We must ensure this enormous amount of attention serves a common good Poverty Reduction Preparation Camps Package Tours Legacy In closing, I want to add that tourism s potential to fight poverty is especially great when it is combined with sports. For example, communications technology made it possible for an incredible 4.5 billion people to watch the World Cup Finals in 2006, and I wonder how so much of the world s attention can be used to serve a common good in 2010. So, I ask you, What will be the legacy of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa? The is currently researching ways to create strategic partnerships involving the World Cup preparation camps, and hope that package tours will make it possible for the entire continent to be explored and enjoyed.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I believe that tourism, like no other industry, has the ability to empower both women and men while increasing tolerance and equality among global neighbors. Developing sustainable tourism projects in LDCs will help ensure a shared future for all humanity. Thank you.