Skopje, 20 November 2024 (MIA) – Minister of Culture and Tourism, Zoran Ljutkov is attending the First Ministerial Meeting on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism in Azerbaijan’s Baku, held as part of the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP29.

Ministers are discussing ways to align tourism policies by alleviating climate change and to adopt adaptation measures, said the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Wednesday.

Referring to the role of the high-ranking meeting, Minister Ljutkov stated that ministers have both political and moral responsibility to take urgent action as part of the global efforts made to tackle climate change. 

“In order to succeed in tackling global challenges, utmost dedication is needed as well as active participation in all levels: the government, the private sector, citizens alongside, of course, international cooperation. I will stress that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism will continue its commitment to implementing innovations and inclusive strategies in tourism that will provide not only economic development but also protection of natural resources and cultural heritage,” said Ljutkov. 

The future of tourism, he emphasized, lies in harmony with the environment and natural disasters, waters heating up, destruction of natural resources, urbanization, are only some of the factors affecting tourism, its infrastructure and its surrounding.

Minister Ljutkov said that the Macedonian Ministry of Culture and Tourism plays an important role by being actively engaged in tourism policy creation and in protecting cultural heritage and praised the unwavering support of the government for tourism. 

Furthermore, Ljutkov called for adoption of key strategic documents, cooperation and implementation of sustainable practices.

A declaration on enhanced climate action in tourism is expected to be adopted in the meeting in Baku. 

Photo: Ministry of Culture and Tourism