Draft Resolution 1.1

Sponsors: The commonwealth of Australia, Republic of Ecuador, French Republic, The Republic of Kenya, The kingdom of Norway

Signatories: People’s Republic China, Republic of Costa Rica, Federative Republic of Brazil, Repubblica Italiana, Republic of Madagascar, The State of Qatar, The Republic of South Africa, The United States of America

Agenda: “The impact of eco-tourism on sustainability”

Recalling the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011–2020, adopted at the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, as endorsed by the General Assembly in its resolution 65/280 of 17 June 2011, supports the efforts of the least developed countries to develop a sustainable tourism sector, in particular through infrastructure and human capital development, increased access to finance and enhanced access to global tourism networks and distribution channels,

Recalling further the resolution 53/200 of 15th December 1998 entitled “proclamation of 2002 as the international year of ecotourism” to make people aware about the real essence of ecotourism, natural and amazing experience to visit through sustainable protection measure of environment,

Recalling the resolution 67/223 of 21st December, 2012 entitled “promotion of ecotourism for poverty eradication and environment protection” which recognized eco-tourism’s role in sustainable development, including protecting the environment in all countries as well as contributing to the fight against poverty in many developing economies,

Noting with satisfaction of the past efforts of various relevant UN bodies and non-governmental organizations with the hope of similar efforts in the future,

Stressing that over exploitation of natural resources, pollution, environmental degradation and violation of animal rights are the multifaceted problems of eco-tourism,

Emphasizing on problems faced by tourists, displacement of local people, socio-cultural insensitivity,

Believing the role of eco-tourism in promoting sustainable development and better living condition for local people,

1.     Accepts the integration of local communities, environment conservation and responsible tourism through ecotourism by the member states for ecological balance and conservation of biodiversity that ensures mutual benefit of all;

2.     Calls upon the member states for the implementation of circular economy aimed at eliminating waste and continual use of resources by employing reuse, repair, refurnish, remanufacture and recycle;

3.     Urges the member state and the government to collaborate with non-governmental organizations like International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and financial institutions like World Bank, Asian Development Bank for the achievement of sustainable development goals;

4.     Encourages the member states, their locals and tourists for sustainable use of natural resources by promoting use of renewable resources and conscious consumption of resources ensuring  that the rate of consumption of resources do not compromise the environment and need of future generation;

5.     Recommends member states for animal right advocacy to practice animal rights and quarantine measures for the restriction of disease transmission;

6.     Urges every nation to facilitate necessary infrastructures like food and lodging, transport, communication, hygiene as well as security for tourists in all tourism destination;

7.     Requests every member states to adopt the Green Passport initiative to aware tourists of code of conducts within the country for ensuring socio-cultural and environmental securities;

8.     Further request the issues of sustainability and ecotourism to include in curriculum of every level of education and raise awareness through many platforms like cartoons and dramas;

9.     Recommends the member states to declare the buffer zones and untouchable zones for conservation of biodiversity;

10. Stresses that indigenous cultures, traditions and knowledge, in all their aspects, are to be fully considered, respected and promoted in policy development for ecotourism;

11. Underlines the importance of conducting an environmental impact assessment, in accordance with national legislation, for the development of sustainable tourism, including ecotourism opportunities.