There is now less than one month to the 5th IIPT African Conference which will bring together leading experts in tourism and climate change, Ministers of Tourism and the Environment, senior government officials, and executives from the diverse sectors of the industry; UN agencies, donor agencies, and NGOs; researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners; representatives of related sectors, including environment, culture, and sustainable economic development; and leading academics to share their knowledge, experience and research related to climate change response strategies, programs and actions in Africa and developing countries throughout the world.

“Climate change is the pre-eminent geopolitical and economic issue of the 21st century. It rewrites the global equation for development, peace, and prosperity.” U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, 2009 Summit on Climate Change

In announcing the conference last month, Zambia Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Catherine Namugala said, “The effects of climate change are exerting a heavy toll on the entire life chain. It is worth noting that climate change is a major threat to sustainable growth and development in Africa, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Impacts of climate change include among others, increased incidence of both drought and flooding, desertification, sea level rise, reduced freshwater availability, decreasing fish resources, cyclones, impacts on food security, all of which have an impact on tourism,” Minister Namugala said.

Conference Aim
The aim of the 5th IIPT African Conference is to showcase models of ‘best practice’ in mitigating and addressing the anticipated impacts of climate change to tourism in Africa and the developing world.

Conference Goals
Demonstrate the critical linkages of climate change to tourism and poverty reduction.
Identify factors and practices that contribute to “Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change to Tourism” while continuing to grow and nurture sustainable tourism development that lifts people out of poverty.

Promote Public- Private Sector – NGO – Civil Society partnerships and collaboration towards socially and environmentally responsible sustainable tourism development.

Continue “Building Bridges of Tourism, Friendship and Collaboration” among nations in Africa and other regions of the world in support of the UN Millennium Development Goals while recognizing that we are all custodians of our planet’s bountiful resources and majestic beauty.