Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, The President of global tourism institutions: EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE and EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY has designated the 2015-2030 period as the DECADES OF TOURISM FOR DEVELOPMENT.

This decision of the world tourism and development institutions is a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the contribution of sustainable tourism to development among public and private sector decision-makers and the public, while mobilizing all stakeholders to work together in making tourism a catalyst for positive change.

Presidential decision must be read out in the context of the universal 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the DECADES OF TOURISM FOR DEVELOPMENT programme aims to support a change in policies, business practices and consumer behavior towards a more sustainable tourism sector that can contribute to the SDGs.

The DECADES OF TOURISM FOR DEVELOPMENTprogramme will promote tourism’s role in the following six key areas:

(1)        Inclusive, equitable, sustainable and ethicaly driven  economic growth

(2)        Social inclusiveness, employment and poverty reduction

(3)        Resource efficiency, environmental protection and combating climate change

(4)        Cultural values, diversity and heritage

(5)        Promotion of global understanding, peace and security

(6)        Promoting history as a tool for development and cultural tourism

The European Tourism Academy (ETA), the European Council on Tourism and Trade Agency,  has been mandated to facilitate the organization and implementation of the DECADES OF TOURISM FOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, in collaboration with governments, relevant organizations of the European Council on Tourism and Trade system, international and regional organizations and other relevant stakeholders by appointing global leaders to be responsible for the programme completion and sustainble world development.

These leaders of world community are to be recognized and appointed as GLOBAL AMBASSADORS FOR TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT GOALS and are representing humanity best hope for a peaceful and inclusve and harmonius society.

European Council on Tourism and Trade, European Tourism Academy and The Parliamentary Assembly for Sustainable Development Goals will decide on the appointment of   GLOBAL AMBASSADORS FOR TOURISM AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS in recognition of personalities that had offered a life time effort in  promoting sustainable development, inclusive and supportive tourism and in order to harness their abilities and knowledge for the benefit of world-wide growth, employment, and development agenda 2030 of the United Nations

During the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly 154 heads of state or government adopted the bold and ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, along with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that aim to, inter alia, - end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.

Based on his universal, integrated and transformative vision, European Council on Tourism and Trade is placing its efforts and tireless work in contributing with its technical assistance and capacity-building to the achievement of these global goals.

European Council on Tourism and Trade  is working with governments, public and private partners, development banks, international and regional finance institutions, the european agencies and international organizations to help achieve the SDGs.

 European Council on Tourism and Trade and European Tourism Academy and The Parliamentary Assembly for Sustainable Development Ggoals developed the ‘Tourism for SDGs platform’(http://world-tourism.website2.me/european-council-for-tourism-and-trade )-  which is aimed at policy makers, international organizations, academia, donors, companies and all tourism stakeholders and encourages them to engage in SDG implementation strategies.

The platform’s three main features, Learn, Educate and Communicate, are also calls for action, conversation and collaboration towards a sustainable tourism sector.

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On December 9, 2017 in the presence of over 3,000 guests, diplomats, tourism and culture experts, the official ceremony for the new GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR TOURISM AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS  has taken place. On the rostrum were in attendance personalities like: Prime Minister of Government of Cambodia H.E. Academician Hun Sen, President of European Council on Tourism and Trade Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, Prime Minister Mark Doda, over 300 diplomats and world leaders etc.

The world has a new world leader in development through tourism: Cambodia`s Prime Minister HUN SEN:  Global Ambassador for World Tourism and Sustainable Development Goals.

Speech on the occasion of Samdech Techo’s Appointment as “Global Goodwill Ambassador for World Tourism and Sustainable Development Goals 2030” and the Designation of “Phnom Penh: The World Capital of Tourism and Culture”

–     Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, President of European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT)

Today, I am delighted to participate in the ceremony to celebrate the awarding of the status “Phnom Penh: The World Capital of Tourism and Culture” to Phnom Penh capital along with my appointment as “Global Goodwill Ambassador for Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”

Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to the European Council on Tourism and Trade for supporting Cambodia and electing Cambodia as “World Best Tourist Destination” in 2016. Today, Cambodia is honored again on the occasion Phnom Penh is awarded “World Capital of Tourism and Culture” and my appointment “the Global Ambassador for Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”

At the same time, I wish to express my gratitude and appreciation to Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, President of the European Council on Tourism and Trade and his colleagues for the decision to award this meaningful status to Phnom Penh capital that help promote further tourism and tourism development in Cambodia.

Thunderous applause for the new GLOBAL AMBASSADOR: Prime Minister of Cambodia H.E. Academician HUN SEN

In addition, I also appreciate great cooperation between Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the European Council on Tourism and Trade for organizing this event.

I also wish to express my appreciation to the Ministry of Tourism for the effort to promote tourism development to date with the great sense of responsibility in accordance with strategic direction of the Royal Government while Cambodia has been enjoying complete peace, stability, security, and progress in all sectors.

–    Excellencies, Ladies, Gentlemen!

Cambodia is very fortunate that our ancestors left us the temple of Angkor which has become the world heritage of humanity and the wonder of the world, the temple of Preah Vihear and the temple of Sambor Prei Kuk  which have outstanding universal value, and thousands of other temples across the country and vast natural resources such as beaches, river, waterfall, beaches that haven been the status as the world most beautiful beaches, Mekong’s freshwater dolphins, ecotourism in the northeastern and southwestern Cambodia, Tonle Sap Lake, traditions and customs and natural friendliness of the people.

Those factors help Cambodia live up to its international recognition as “Kingdom of Wonder.”

In this sense, Cambodia has identified “Culture and Nature” as the values of its tourism which is now a major tourist destination in Asia and Southeast Asia, a region characterized by high tourism growth.

Peace factor is imperative along with our effort to implement our strategic plans and policies. In this sense, I wish to give three recommendations on the sustainable development of tourism sector as follows:

First, security is the key determinant of the growth in all sectors. In fact, the awarding of above status to Cambodia takes place after dark period of chronic war, genocide and divide caused by foreign interference, especially the cold war ideology. Sacrifice, loss of life and property, hardship, tragedy beyond description Cambodia must face with so many years in order to achieve peace, national unification and harmony nowadays. Today, in spite of complete peace and national unification under one constitution, one King, and one government, Cambodia is still unable to overcome both tangible and intangible consequence of the past war and tragedy. Therefore, Cambodia must protect peace at any cost because “peace is imperative for the achievement of sustainable development goals 2030”.

Second, working together for tourism development which is an importance driving force of economic growth.  Overall, we must manage tourism sector appropriately to maximize the benefits and redistribute the fruit of growth equitably aimed at ensuring participation from all related parties. In this sense, I give my support to the Ministry of Tourism in producing the 2018-2030 Tourism Development Strategic Plan and the formulation of the​ ​master plan for tourism development at important tourist sites and I also welcome the strengthening of the capital/provincial tourism development committees in order to encourage the private participation because good governance at the local level is the foundation of sustainable tourism development.

Third, we must ensures the positive relation between the tourism sector and the planet earth toward greener future in 2030.  The Ministry of Tourism must continue to cooperate with related ministries/institutions, the private sector, and media to raise awareness on the benefits of sustainable tourism, the link between tourism and the conservation and protection of environment, natural resource and culture. Overall, we must promote the respect for nature and culture and raise awareness on the importance of tourism in economic development and “clean city, clean resort, good service, good hospitality” contest etc.

These recommendations will contribute to further development of tourism sector, underpin growth in other sectors and ensure socio-economic development and cultural and environment conservation.

I am confident that Cambodia as well as Phnom Penh will continue to be a great tourist destination with natural smile of the Cambodian people to live up to its name as the kingdom of wonder.

Finally, along with the celebration of “Phnom Penh: World Capital of Tourism and Culture”, and my appointment as “the Global Goodwill Ambassador for Tourism and Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”, I wish Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and all participants the four gems of Buddha’s blessings Longevity, Nobility, Healthiness and Strength.

Thank you!