UN Tourism/ICAO Ministerial Summit Calls for Enhanced Cooperation to Unlock Africa’s Growth
The second UN Tourism and ICAO Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa closed with a call for greater policy coordination and investment to drive sustainable growth across the continent. Held in Luanda, Angola, the event gathered over 300 international delegates under the theme “Accelerating Synergies for Resilient and Sustainable Growth”, aiming to better connect two critical sectors: tourism and air transport.
Ministers and delegates adopted the Luanda Ministerial Statement, pledging to modernise infrastructure, simplify visa regimes, and promote intra-African travel through targeted investment, marketing collaboration, and regulatory reform. The conference also highlighted opportunities from frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), reinforcing momentum as the continent saw 74 million international arrivals in 2024 – a 12% rise year-on-year.
