Sudan Withdraws from UN Tourism Assembly in Protest of UAE’s Election as Organization Head
Sudan’s delegation to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly in Riyadh withdrew on Sunday in protest against the election of a UAE representative as the organization’s new Secretary-General.
The Sudanese delegation, led by Minister of Culture, Information and Tourism Khalid Al-Ayser, left the assembly hall during the second session in which member states voted to endorse the Emirati candidate. The withdrawal came immediately after the Sudanese minister delivered his country’s address to the General Assembly.
In his speech, Minister Al-Ayser reaffirmed Sudan’s rejection of the decision to appoint a representative from the United Arab Emirates to lead the UN tourism body, citing Abu Dhabi’s alleged support for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which he described as a militia responsible for war crimes and the destruction of Sudan’s tourism infrastructure.
He stated that the systematic devastation of Sudan’s tourism sector — both its physical and cultural assets — was the result of attacks by the RSF, backed by regional and international actors, accusing those powers of funding and fueling the war that has ravaged the country’s economy and heritage.
Sudan, he added, is one of the nations most richly endowed with historical landmarks, ancient civilizations, and natural reserves, yet its tourism potential has been crippled by the ongoing conflict and foreign interference.
The withdrawal of Sudan’s delegation highlights growing regional tensions and political polarization within international organizations, as Khartoum continues to oppose the UAE’s role in the Sudanese conflict and to call for accountability on the global stage.
