Almaty Call to Action: Tourism United behind Women’s Empowerment – UN Tourism

Almaty Call to Action: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals through Gender Equality in Tourism

Introduction: A Commitment to the 2030 Agenda

• The “Almaty Call to Action” has been established as the primary outcome of the First Regional Conference on the Empowerment of Women in Tourism in Europe, held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on 22-23 October.
• The initiative is designed to serve as a catalyst for achieving the objectives outlined in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• It specifically aims to accelerate progress towards gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls within the tourism sector.

Core Objectives: Aligning with SDG 5 and SDG 8

• The initiative’s central mission is to advance Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) by addressing and rectifying persistent inequalities within the global tourism industry.
• According to UN Tourism Executive Director Zoritsa Urosevic, the Call to Action provides a clear framework for ensuring the tourism sector actively embraces and empowers women.
• By promoting inclusive employment and professional growth opportunities, the project directly supports the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Strategic Implementation and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

The Almaty Call to Action is part of a long-term, multi-faceted project focused on achieving tangible outcomes through strategic partnerships, reflecting the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The project’s implementation strategy includes:

1. The delivery of specialized training sessions led by UN Tourism-certified coaches.
2. The production of a video series highlighting the roles and contributions of women in tourism.
3. The deployment of various online and offline programs designed to move from discussion to concrete action and systemic change.

As articulated by Diyar Askarov, Director of the Almaty Tourism Bureau, the overarching goal is to initiate systemic progress that results in more opportunities, greater equality, and enhanced professional growth for women throughout the sector.

Analysis of SDGs in the Article

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected

   The article highlights issues and initiatives that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus is on gender equality and economic empowerment through the tourism sector.

   • SDG 5: Gender Equality

     This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The text explicitly states that the “Almaty Call to Action” aims to be a “catalyst towards gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls,” which is the core mission of SDG 5.

   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

     The article identifies tourism as a “vital economic sector” and a “key source of employment and opportunity for women.” The initiative’s goal to create “more opportunities for women, more equality, and more professional growth” directly aligns with promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

     The entire initiative described is a result of a partnership. The “First Regional Conference on the Empowerment of Women in Tourism in Europe” is a collaborative effort between UN Tourism and the Almaty Tourism Bureau. This multi-stakeholder partnership is designed to “move from discussion to concrete action” and achieve the other goals, reflecting the spirit of SDG 17.

2. Specific Targets Identified

   Based on the article’s content, several specific targets under the identified SDGs can be inferred.

   • Targets under SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

     • Target 5.5: “Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.” The article’s focus on creating “more opportunities for women” and fostering “more professional growth” in the economic sector of tourism directly supports this target.
     • Target 5.c: “Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels.” The “Almaty Call to Action” and the associated “long-term project” with training and programs represent a strategic policy and action-oriented framework to promote gender equality within the tourism industry.

   • Targets under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

     • Target 8.5: “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value.” The initiative’s aim to address inequalities and provide a “key source of employment and opportunity for women” in tourism is a direct effort towards achieving this target.

   • Targets under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

     • Target 17.16: “Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise… to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.” The conference itself, being a collaboration between a UN body and a local tourism bureau, is a perfect example of a multi-stakeholder partnership designed to drive “systemic change” towards sustainable development.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

   The article does not mention official UN statistical indicators, but it implies several ways progress can be measured through the specific actions it describes.

   • Implied Indicators for SDG 5 and SDG 8

     • Number of women participating in training sessions: The article mentions “training sessions with UN Tourism-certified coaches” as part of the project. Tracking participation would be a direct measure of the project’s reach.
     • Development and dissemination of awareness materials: The creation of a “video series highlighting women in tourism” is a tangible output that can be measured.
     • Implementation of empowerment programs: The article refers to a “range of online and offline programs.” The number and scope of these programs serve as an indicator of action being taken.
     • Increase in women’s professional growth: While not directly measurable from the text, the stated goal of “more professional growth” implies a need to track the promotion and advancement of women in the tourism sector as a key performance indicator.

   • Implied Indicators for SDG 17

     • Successful organization of the conference: The holding of the “First Regional Conference on the Empowerment of Women in Tourism in Europe” is an indicator of a successful partnership in action.
     • Adoption of the “Almaty Call to Action”: The formalization and implementation of this call to action is a key outcome and indicator of the partnership’s effectiveness.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Implied from the article)
   SDG 5: Gender Equality	5.5: Ensure women’s full participation and equal opportunities for leadership in economic life. 5.c: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and actions for the promotion of gender equality.	Number of women participating in training sessions. Number of online and offline empowerment programs implemented.
   SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men.	Creation of a video series highlighting women in tourism. Tracking the increase in professional growth opportunities for women in the sector.
   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	17.16: Enhance multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge to support the achievement of the SDGs.	Successful organization of the regional conference. Formal adoption and implementation of the “Almaty Call to Action.”

Source: untourism.int