Riyadh Welcomes the World: Why Hosting the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly Is a Saudi Milestone.

An achievement led by HE Ahmed Al-Khateeb and a defining moment for the GCC

When the gavel opens the 26th UN Tourism (UNWTO) General Assembly in Riyadh on November 7–11, 2025, Saudi Arabia does more than host a summit—it rewrites regional history. This is the first time the General Assembly has ever been held in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a milestone secured under the leadership of HE Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism.

What makes this Assembly historic

1) A GCC first. In seven decades of the UN system and five decades of UN Tourism, the Assembly has never convened in a GCC nation—until now. Riyadh’s selection signals global confidence in the Kingdom’s capacity to host, convene, and shape the sector’s agenda. (saudigazette)

2) A 50th-anniversary session. The Riyadh Assembly coincides with UN Tourism’s 50th year, giving the Kingdom the stage for the agency’s half-century reflections and forward strategy. (businesswire.com)

3) A future-focused theme. The official theme—“AI-Powered Tourism: Redefining the Future”—aligns precisely with Saudi Arabia’s push on innovation, skills and digital infrastructure. Beyond symbolism, the program includes a dedicated thematic session on AI. (businesswire.com)

4) Full governing calendar in one place. Alongside the plenaries, Riyadh hosts meetings of specialized committees and the 124th and 125th sessions of the Executive Council, concentrating the UN Tourism governance cycle in the Kingdom across one week. (businesswire.com)

5) Scale and representation. Official coverage highlights the Assembly’s record profile, with delegations from more than 160 member states and organizations gathering in Riyadh—underscoring the Kingdom’s convening power. (businesswire.com)

The Al-Khateeb imprint: from vision to venue

Under HE Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi Arabia has moved from ambition to execution—advancing policy, capability building, and global partnerships that made this bid credible and compelling. A central pillar of that strategy was securing and opening the UN Tourism Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh, which anchors the organization’s work on education, skills, and innovation in the region. Hosting the Assembly where the Regional Office is headquartered turns Riyadh into a true operational hub—not just a ceremonial one.

The Ministry’s communications—and international coverage—frame Riyadh 2025 as a landmark gathering that fuses governance, innovation, and capacity building. In short: the right event, in the right place, at the right time.

Why this matters for Saudi Arabia and for the world

Policy gravity for the region. By bringing ministers, national tourism organizations, and industry leaders to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia accelerates knowledge transfer and standard-setting across the Middle East. The Assembly’s decisions—on programmes, budgets, elections, and ethics—will shape the sector’s global direction through 2027, with Riyadh as the venue of record.

A catalyst for innovation. The AI theme is not a conference tagline; it is a policy signal. Expect outcomes that connect destinations with data strategy, workforce reskilling, and productivity tools for SMEs—areas Saudi Arabia has prioritized in its transformation agenda.

Institutional credibility. Hosting the General Assembly—UN Tourism’s supreme governing body—is the sector’s highest vote of confidence in a country’s ability to contribute to global tourism policy. Coupled with the Riyadh Regional Office, it cements the Kingdom’s role as a partner in multilateral tourism development.

The agenda at a glance

• Plenary sessions to review the Secretary-General’s report, programme implementation, and the draft Programme of Work & Budget (2026–27).
• Executive Council meetings (124th and 125th) and specialized committee sessions.
• A thematic session on AI and the future of tourism, aligning operational needs with technological opportunity.

A benchmark for hosting excellence

From logistics to programming, Riyadh’s delivery is designed to set a new standard for mega-policy convenings in the region—one that blends operational precision with substantive outcomes. The Saudi Press Agency and international wires document the official timeline, agenda elements, and the Kingdom’s readiness to host at scale—facts that make this Assembly an authoritative reference point for future GCC and global hosts.

Riyadh’s hosting of the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly is more than a first for the GCC. It’s a strategic inflection point for global tourism—and a validation of Saudi Arabia’s transformation, steered by HE Ahmed Al-Khateeb. With its GCC-first venue, 50th-anniversary timing, AI-driven agenda, and full governance calendar on site, the Riyadh Assembly stands as a landmark the industry will reference for years to come.

Sources for reference

• UN Tourism / Business Wire official announcements and programme details (dates, theme, agenda, Council sessions, scale). (businesswire.com)
• UN Tourism Regional Office for the Middle East, Riyadh. (untourism.int)
• Saudi Gazette and Arab News coverage confirming GCC first and event timeline. (saudigazette)
• Saudi Press Agency notice on hosting and theme. (Saudi Press Agency)