Promotion of sustainable tourism, including ecotourism, for poverty eradication and environment protection A/RES/73/245 Welcoming the adoption of the first African Charter for Sustainable and Responsible Tourism at the meeting of African ministers of tourism held in Marrakech, Morocco, on 10 November 2016 on the sidelines of the twenty-second session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework C onvention on Climate Change, which outlines the way forward for the application of the principles of sustainability and accountability in the tourism sector in Africa, 1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization transmitted by the Secretary-General of the United Nations; 19 2. Recognizes that sustainable tourism, including ecotourism, represents, in many countries, an important driver of sustainable economic growth and decent job creation for all, that it can have a positive impact on income generation and education, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status, and thus on the fight against poverty and hunger, and that it can contribute directly to achieving internationally agreed development goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals; 3. Also recognizes the potential of sustainable tourism, including ecotourism, to eradicate poverty by improving individual livelihoods in local communities and to generate resources for community development projects; 4. Emphasizes the need to optimize the economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits stemming from sustainable tourism, including ecotourism activities, in all countries, including African countries, l east developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing States and middle -income countries; 5. Also emphasizes that sustainable tourism, including ecotourism, can contribute to sustainable development, in particular to the conse rvation and sustainable use of biodiversity and natural resources, and can improve the well -being of indigenous peoples and local communities; 6. Recognizes that sustainable tourism, including ecotourism, can improve the well-being of indigenous peoples and local communities, including women and young people, and can create significant opportunities for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and/or the protection of natural areas by encouraging indigenous peoples and local communities in host countries and tourists alike to preserve and respect the natural and cultural heritage; 7. Notes that the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization, in his report, invites Member States, international agencies and other relevant organizations to mainstream biodiversity conservation in the tourism sector and in climate change plans and strategies, intertwining economic, social and cultural elements with climate change adaptation approaches and the preservation of relevant ecosystem services; 8. Encourages all stakeholders to support, as appropriate, the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in sustainable tourism, including women and young people in all tourism operations, including ecotourism activities, in the light of their expertise and knowledge; 9. Underlines, in this regard, the importance of establishing, at the national level, where necessary, appropriate policies, guidelines, institutions and regulations, in accordance with national priorities and legislation, for pr omoting and supporting sustainable tourism, including ecotourism, and minimizing any potential negative impact; __________________ 19 4/8 A/73/274 and A/73/274/Corr.1. 18-22623