The United Nation World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has convened an emergency session of its Executive Council following the request for the suspension of Russia Federation from UNWTO membership by Guatemala, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia and Ukraine.
According to Article 3 of UNWTO Statutes, the fundamental principles of the organisation are the “promotion and development of tourism with a view to contributing to economic development, international understanding, peace, prosperity and universal respect for, and observance of, human rights”.
UNWTO has unequivocally condemned the actions of the Russian Federation, noting that they are a clear breach of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity and contrary to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and UNWTO Statutes.
Based on this the Secretary-General of UNWTO Zurab Pololikashvili, in a statement during the week revealed that the in-person Council session, which is billed to hold in Madrid on Tuesday March 8, 2022, will address the matter, in accordance with Rule 3.4 of the Council’s Rules of Procedure. “I firmly support the people of Ukraine during these very difficult times. We must act on the breach of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
UNWTO to consider members’ requests for Russian suspension
The Russian Embassy is viewed in Washington, DC, on March 26, 2018. US President Donald Trump has ordered the expulsion of 60 alleged Russian spies from the United States in response to a nerve agent attack on an ex-spy in the English city of Salisbury. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said the move, part of globally coordinated retaliation against Moscow, was taken "in response to Russia's use of a military-grade chemical weapon on the soil of the United Kingdom."Officials said that 48 "known intelligence officers" posted to the United States and 12 more at the Russian mission to the United Nations now have seven days to leave the country. / AFP PHOTO / JIM WATSON
