Sheikha Nasser Al-Nuwais, the newly elected Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization for the term from 2026 to 2029, met with President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The two parties discussed potential avenues for enhancing the partnership between the UNWTO and the Congolese government in areas such as culture, tourism, and sustainable development.
The meeting also addressed the challenges faced by the cultural sector and explored future opportunities to elevate Congo’s status as a prominent cultural and tourist hub on the African continent.
Additionally, a meeting was held with Yolande Ilébi Ma Ndimbu, the Congolese Minister of Culture, Arts, and Heritage, to discuss collaboration aimed at strengthening cultural infrastructure and developing public policies for the protection of intellectual property and artists’ rights. The discussion emphasized the need to revamp cultural and tourism policies as tools for rebuilding identity and supporting local communities.
These meetings took place during Sheikha Al-Nuwais’s visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the inaugural Global Festival of Music and Tourism, organized by the Congolese Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the UNWTO in Kinshasa. The festival aimed to support sustainable cultural and tourism policies and highlight the role of arts and music in fostering dialogue among people through diverse cultural and tourism activities.
During her participation, Al-Nuwais reaffirmed that music represents a universal language capable of creating bridges of understanding, tolerance, and solidarity among cultures. She stressed that investing in cultural and creative industries is crucial for economic and social empowerment, particularly for youth, and noted that music transcends borders and articulates shared human experiences, making it a vital medium for promoting cultural awareness and creating sustainable tourism opportunities across continents.
At the festival, she announced an international initiative called “Musical Villages Across Continents,” which is scheduled for formal launch in 2026. This initiative aims to establish creative community centers in both Africa and Latin America that nurture local musical talent, enhance cultural exchange, and stimulate the creative economy in both rural and urban communities, aligning with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.
She also participated in a high-level roundtable titled “Transatlantic Rhythms for Peace: Strengthening Advocacy Strategies and Policies to Enhance International Connections,” which gathered ministers and policymakers from Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
The session discussed the growing role of music tourism as a tool for cultural diplomacy, peacebuilding, and equitable development.
The roundtable featured the participation of Mabambia Moussanga Didier, Minister of Tourism of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Youssef Issaq Gajah, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Arts of the Republic of Ghana.