A/RES/72/214 Sustainable tourism and sustainable development in Central America instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, where appropriate, as soon as possible, Recalling the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, 3 in which Member States recognized the need to promote and integrate disaster risk management approaches throughout the tourism industry, given the often heavy reliance on tourism as a key economic driver, Recalling also the commitment contained in the Cancun Declaration on Mainstreaming the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity for Well -being, adopted by the thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Cancun, Mexico, from 2 to 17 December 2016, that tourism can contribute directly to the conservation of the sensitive areas and habitats through a variety of activities and by raising awareness of the importance of biodiversity, Recalling further its resolution 70/193 of 22 December 2015, entitled “International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, 2017”, and noting the ongoing efforts and initiatives to celebrate the Year, with a view to creating awareness of the important contribution of tourism to sustainable development while promoting the exchange of good practices, knowledge and experiences, as well as increased cross-border collaboration by developing joint ventures to increase the synergies of tourism, including the sharing of tourism-related data and statistics, as appropriate, Recognizing the important cross-cutting role of sustainable tourism as a positive contribution to the three dimensions of sustainable development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, including the eradication of poverty, with a focus on ecotourism, community-based tourism and micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises, the generation of trade opportunities, protection of the environment, improvement of quality of life, and advancement on gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, especially in developing countries, Stressing the need for responsible tourism, and recognizing the important role that it can play in the protection of children against all forms of exploitation, preventing trafficking in cultural artefacts and ensuring respect for intangible cultural heritage, Noting in this regard the role of the Central American Integration System, 4 through the Central American Tourism Integration Secretariat, in the promotion of sustainable tourism in the region, Commending the ongoing efforts of the Governments of the Central American countries, in coordination with the Central American Commission on Environment and Development and in cooperation with the World Tourism Organization, in the implementation of existing and new programmes designed to launch and promote sustainable tourism throughout the region, Noting the existing joint initiatives designed and implemented to stimulate regional tourism integration and to foster the development of indigenous and local communities, such as the Mayan World regional brand, Recalling the outcomes of the Forum on Tourism, Sustainability and Climate Change in Central America, held from 11 to 13 April 2013 in La Ceiba, Honduras, the declaration of the 15th forum on the development of tourism and on the harmonization of efforts to promote tourism in Central America and the Dominican __________________ 3 4 2/5 Resolution 69/283, annex II. The membership of the Central American Integration System includes Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. 17-23283