Russia’s membership in the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) may be suspended as early as March 8. A statement that such an issue will be considered by the Executive Board of the organization appeared on its official website.
A request to suspend Russia’s membership was filed by Guatemala, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia and Ukraine. After receiving it, the UNWTO Secretary General was forced to convene an emergency meeting of the Executive Council, which will be held in the capital of Spain.
The organization noted that for the first time in its history it will consider a request of this kind. Its representatives recalled that the UNWTO charter contains a provision that the association of countries exists to promote mutual understanding between peoples. And its goals are peace, prosperity and respect for human rights. As for Russia, the UNWTO “clearly condemns” its actions in Ukraine, arguing that they are in conflict with the principles laid down in the statutes of both the World Tourism Organization and the UN.