A/RES/65/173 Stressing also that ecotourism can, within the framework of sustainable tourism, contribute to the fight against poverty, the protection of the environment and the promotion of sustainable development, Welcoming the efforts of the World Tourism Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Convention on Biological Diversity to promote ecotourism and sustainable tourism worldwide, Welcoming also the efforts of the Marrakech Process on sustainable consumption and production, and in particular its task force on sustainable tourism development, as a cross-sectoral example of more sustainable consumption and production practices, Noting the initiatives launched and the events organized at the subregional, regional and international levels in the field of ecotourism and sustainable development, Recognizes that the development of ecotourism, within the framework of 1. sustainable tourism, can have a positive impact on income generation, job creation and education, and thus on the fight against poverty and hunger, and can contribute directly to achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals; Emphasizes the need to maximize the economic, social and 2. environmental benefits stemming from ecotourism activities in all countries, particularly developing countries, including African countries, the least developed countries and small island developing States; Also emphasizes that ecotourism can contribute to sustainable 3. development, in particular environment protection, and improve the well-being of local and indigenous communities; Recognizes that ecotourism creates significant opportunities for the 4. conservation, protection and sustainable use of natural areas by encouraging local and indigenous communities in host countries and tourists alike to preserve and respect the natural and cultural heritage; Also recognizes the potential of ecotourism to reduce poverty by 5. improving individual livelihoods in local communities and to generate resources for community development projects; Underlines, in this regard, the importance of establishing, at the national 6. level and in accordance with national priorities, appropriate guidelines and regulations for promoting and supporting ecotourism and minimizing its potential negative impact, and encourages Member States to promote investment in ecotourism, in accordance with their national legislation, which may include creating small- and medium-sized enterprises and facilitating access to finance, including through microcredit initiatives for the poor, local and indigenous communities in areas with high ecotourism potential, including rural areas; Also underlines the importance of conducting an environmental impact 7. assessment, in accordance with national legislation, for the development of ecotourism opportunities; Stresses that indigenous cultures, traditions and knowledge, in all their 8. aspects, are to be fully considered, respected and promoted in ecotourism policy 2