UN Secretary-General António Guterres has visited the headquarters of UN Tourism in Madrid, where he was welcomed by the agency’s Secretary-General, Shaikha Al Nuwais, the organisation said in a press release dated November 12.

UN Tourism said it was the first time a sitting UN Secretary-General had visited its headquarters since 2007. It presented the visit as a sign of tourism’s growing place on the multilateral agenda.

Welcoming Guterres, Al Nuwais praised his commitment to peace, understanding, and diplomacy. “From your very first day in office, you have been a champion of multilateralism,” she said.

She added that his efforts to keep the UN family together had been a source of strength and direction in a world marked by uncertainty and conflict.

Addressing UN Tourism staff, Guterres reaffirmed the role of tourism in the UN’s wider mission, particularly in advancing sustainability, international cooperation, and opportunities for developing economies, according to the release.

He also stressed the importance of UN Tourism working closely with UN country teams to bring its expertise closer to people on the ground, it said.

Guterres was accompanied by his wife, Catarina Vaz Pinto. Spain’s Secretary of State for Tourism, Rosario Sánchez Grau, and Miguel Sanz, Director-General of Turespaña, also attended.