IPNEWS: Liberia is among 160 nations currently attending the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under the Theme: ” The impact of Artificial Intelligence and Innovation in Shaping Global Tourism”
The Liberian delegation is headed by Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah and Ambassador Christopher Hayes-Onanuga.
The assembly brings together over 160 delegations to discuss sustainable tourism, international cooperation, and innovation in the tourism sector.
This marks the country’s third participation in UN Tourism events under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration. The event celebrates the 50th anniversary of UN Tourism, with leaders like Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb and UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili highlighting tourism’s role in job creation, cultural connection, and sustainable development.
Thematic discussions will shape the future of global tourism.
The 26th UN Tourism General Assembly marks the 50th anniversary of UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO) and is the first time the event has been hosted in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 7 to 11, 2025, with main meetings on November 9 and 10.
The assembly’s central focuses on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation in driving sustainable tourism growth.
Key elements include of the Assembly includes Thematic Session on AI where a session dedicated to discussing AI’s impact on tourism, including the Grand Final of the UN Tourism Global AI Challenge will be held.
Riyadh Declaration on AI, this anticipated session is expected to result in a declaration outlining a global AI framework for the sector.
Other Statutory Meetings are expected to be held during the sessions of the UN Tourism Executive Council.
Election of Secretary-General is one of the significant aspect of the Assembly
This 50th Anniversary Celebrations mark five decades of the organization.
Following the General Assembly, Saudi Arabia will host the first TOURISE Summit from November 11-13, a new platform for industry leaders.
President Joseph Boakai on August 15, 2025, signed the “Liberia National Tourism Act of 2025” into law . This Act establishes the Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA) as the primary agency for the sector’s development and regulation.
The bill has been passed by the Legislature (House of Representatives on September 3, 2024, and the Senate in early 2025) and signed into law by the President. The new law creates the Liberia National Tourism Authority (LNTA).
The new Authority is tasked with promoting, encouraging, and regulating tourism in Liberia. Its goals include fostering tourism as a key socio-economic activity, generating foreign currency and employment, and serving as the primary regulatory body for the sector.
The establishment of the LNTA is seen as a major step in diversifying Liberia’s economy, as the tourism sector was previously under the broader Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT).
President Boakai has also appointed board members and a leadership team, including a Presidential Special Envoy on Tourism, to guide the formal establishment and operations of the new Authority. Following the passage of the Act, Liberia has also rejoined UN Tourism after a 13-year hiatus, which signals the country’s intent to re-engage with the global tourism community. The tourism sector is also a key part of the President’s “ARREST Agenda” for national development.
