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Med-Optics re-launches its branch on Kampala Road

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Our Reporter
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As a part of celebrations to mark 20 years of optical service, Med-Optics Ltd has re-launched its newly refurbished branch on Mabirizi, Kampala road.

Established in 2002, Med-Optics remains the preferred optical centre for many clients in the central business district. The Branch has qualified optometrists registered with the Ministry of Health’s Allied Health Professionals Council. Med Optics has received over 70,000 patients from various parts of the Country.

Med-Optics Managing Director Anguyo Dralega, an optometrist who practiced in the UK for several years before returning to Uganda in 2001, said this of the new-look centre.

“At Med-Optics, we believe that our clients deserve the best optical care available, so we invest in optical instruments to provide accurate and reliable prescriptions, we invest in our people through ongoing professional development and training, and we carefully select high quality lenses and frames to maximize the clients’ vision and comfort. It is important to us,” he said.

Med-Optics is able to achieve all of this at a low cost because it has grown over the previous two decades to become Uganda’s largest optical health firm, with nine locations and an optical laboratory that produces a variety of bifocal and progressive lenses. In addition, the organization imports a wide range of lenses to meet every optical demand, even those for complex cases that require specialized solutions.

The refurbished branch provides clients with comfort and professionalism, as well as the same value for money options, with single vision lenses starting at Shs 62,000.

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Standard Chartered Bank, Salam Charity donate to underprivileged communities during Ramadan

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Our Reporter
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Stanchart and Salaam Charity representatives pose for a photo with Home of Joy (Salvation Army) beneficiaries after making a donation

Standard Chartered Bank Uganda together with Salaam Charity have made donations of an assortment of items including food items to support underprivileged communities as they seek to give back during the holy month of Ramadhan.

The four beneficiary communities include UGANET in Ntinda, Naguru Remand Home, Home of Joy (Salvation Army) located at Katanga and UMCA at Mengo.

In line with the Bank’s brand promise “Here for good” and STAND to ‘Lift participation’, the Bank is committed to improve the lives of people and their communities. This assistance is earmarked to help meet the needs of the underprivileged children and their caretakers.

Standard Chartered Bank has over the past 10 years joined the Muslim community to celebrate Ramadhan by hosting iftar dinners and having its employees volunteer to support several initiatives.

While handing over the donation, Margaret Kigozi, the Head, Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing Standard Chartered Bank Uganda said: “Standard Chartered Bank Uganda is very pleased to extend this donation to these organizations. Ramadan holds a unique position in our community as it is a special time of the year where believers undertake generous deeds.”

She said the Bank believes in the principles this holy month advances and we recognize our responsibility and role to support the communities where we do business and therefore committed to supporting various communities by living up to our Brand Promise ‘Here for good’, which is hinged on the strong belief ‘that only by doing good can we as a Bank become truly great’.

“We will continue to seek to be a force for good by being a responsible company, promoting and investing in the sustainable socio economic development in the community.” She said

Mrs. Zipula Wasike, the head of Home of Joy applauded the bank and Salam Charity for thinking about this in this critical period where prices of essential commodities have gone high.

The organisation looks after disable children from all over the country in a bid to see them become self reliant.

Dr. Karim Kaliisa, the Managing Director Salam TV Uganda said that was the third time that they were visiting the organisation.

“It is our role to point where there is need as Salam Charity. These Children are under privileged and therefore need attention every other time and you are not getting tire,” he said.

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Earth Day: Tackling the Plastic Crisis Together

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Our Reporter
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Earth Day Clean up

A Public-Private coalition made Ugandan history on Earth Day 2022 by collecting over16.26tonnes of plastic waste in one day, in an environmental cleanup that covered five districts countrywide.

The partnership consisted of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda through Plastic Recycling Industries, and Global Living Institute through its Kabale Recycling Centre.

Together, the coalition organized a series of cleanup activities to celebrate Earth Day by practically cleaning up the earth under the theme ‘Invest in our Planet’. The coalition focused on PET waste collection in Kampala, Kabale, Mbarara, Masaka and Gulu districts.

“Our ethos as a company is to do the right things as we refresh our consumers and make the community a better place for all. Our communities will unquestionably be better if we embed a culture of proper disposal of waste such as PET. At Coca-Cola Beverages Africa we are committed to encouraging this proper disposal by supporting collection through recycling,” said General Manager Melkamu Abebe.

Moses Twahirwa, Director of Community Action at Global Living Institute, said that for the last four years, the Institute has worked with Entusi Resort & Center, the Kabale Municipal Council and partners like Plastic Recycling Industries to set up plastic waste and recycling centres in the heart of Kabale town.

“As a result, close to 10 tons of plastic waste are collected in the town by unemployed youth and poor women – mainly those who have been able to earn a living and support their families because of selling the waste plastic. The town has been rid of unnecessary plastic waste, as the locals earned cash in turn, coupled with the collection centre providing employment for the youth and women,” Twahirwa said.

“According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics report, youth unemployment in Uganda, stands at 64% and 70%, a thing that presents a big challenge to the government. This recycling venture therefore is a solution for youth especially in urban areas since many of the plastics are in town areas,” he added.

Commenting on the exercise, Samuel Kangave, Manager of Plastic Recycling Industries reiterated the Coca-Cola Beverage group’s commitment to its global World Without Waste initiative, which aims to recover the equivalent of every can and every bottle that is sold to be recycled and reused by 2030. 

“We have already made significant progress towards our collection and recycling rate of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. Our biggest challenge on recycling is accelerating the collection of plastic to increase PET bottles feedstock for recycled PET supply to enable higher recycled content in our bottles,” he said.

Coca-Cola Beverages in Africa (CCBA) has made sustainability integral to its business strategy, therefore, investing in long long-term and short-term incentives to achieve it throughout the system.

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Vaccine preventable disease outbreaks on the rise in Africa

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Our Reporter
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A health worker administers a vaccine to a man

Africa is witnessing a surge in outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases over the past year.

Almost 17,500 cases of measles were recorded in the African region between January and March 2022, marking a 400% increase compared with the same period in 2021. Twenty African countries reported measles outbreaks in the first quarter of this year, eight more than that in the first three months of 2021.

Outbreaks of other vaccine-preventable diseases have also become more common. Twenty-four countries confirmed outbreaks of a variant of polio in 2021, which is four more than in 2020. In 2021, 13 countries reported new yellow fever outbreaks in the African region, compared to nine in 2020 and three in 2019.

Inequalities in accessing vaccines, disruptions by the COVID-19 pandemic including a huge strain on health system capacities impaired routine immunization services in many African countries and forced the suspension of vaccination drives.

“The rise in outbreaks of other vaccine-preventable diseases is a warning sign. As Africa works hard to defeat COVID-19, we must not forget other health threats. Health systems could be severely strained not only by COVID-19 but by other diseases,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Vaccines are at the heart of a successful public health response, and as countries restore services, routine immunization must be at the core of revived and resilient health systems.”

Two doses of the measles vaccine provided on schedule results in long lasting protection against the potentially deadly disease. Countries are expected to attain and maintain measles vaccination coverage of 95% with two doses to reach measles elimination. In 2019, six countries in the African region attained 95% coverage with first dose measles vaccination, while only three met this target in 2020, according to estimates by WHO and UNICEF.

To urgently scale up coverage and protect children, WHO and partners are supporting African countries to carry out catch-up routine vaccination campaigns, with more than 90% of the 38 African countries responding to a global survey reporting that they implemented at least one routine catch-up immunization campaign in the second half of 2021.

Some countries have successfully integrated other critical immunization campaigns with COVID-19 vaccination. For example, Ghana integrated COVID-19 vaccination with yellow fever campaigns in December 2021 to curb an outbreak that erupted a month earlier. Nigeria recently launched a vaccine scale-up strategy which guides the integration of routine immunization with COVID-19 vaccination for mothers and their babies.

Mass vaccination campaigns are also boosting COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Between January and April, the percentage of Africans fully vaccinated against the virus rose to 17.1% from 11.1%.

While mass vaccination campaigns are the quickest way to administer a large volume of vaccines, WHO is committed to supporting countries to strengthen essential, primary health care services to deliver COVID-19 vaccines. The longer-term solutions will likely see benefits to communities beyond COVID-19.

“Routine immunization, a long-established practice in many African countries, has been severely strained by the impact of COVID-19. In the wake of this pandemic, we are committed to supporting countries devise smart approaches to scale up both COVID-19 vaccination and restore and expand routine immunization services,” said Dr Benido Impouma, Director, Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases Cluster at WHO Regional Office for Africa.

WHO held a virtual press conference today led by Dr Impouma and facilitated by APO Group. He was joined by Hon Dr Kailash Jagutpal, Minister of Health and Wellness, Government of Mauritius, and Professor Helen Rees, Executive Director, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa.

Also on hand from the WHO Regional Office for Africa to respond to questions were Dr Thierno Balde, Regional COVID-19 Incident Manager, Dr Messeret Shibeshi, Immunization Officer, Dr Richelot Ayangma Mouko, Medical Officer for the Polio Eradication Programme, and Dr Mory Keita, Incident Manager for Ebola outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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Police officers donate Iftar items to Muslim communities in Mukono District

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Our Reporter
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The Uganda Police Muslim fraternity donated Ramadhan (Iftar) items to the community to enable them to break their fast on Wednesday.

The assortment of food items was distributed to the Muslim community of Kiwango, Kasayi and Nakagere mosques in Mukono District. This was done in partnership with Salaam TV.

The items range from sugar, rice, cooking oil, wheat flour and maize flour which are commonly used during this holy month of Ramadhan.

ACP Hajji Sulaiman Kilungi who represented the Inspector General of Police noted that the move is a sign of unity and appreciation from the Police.

“We work hand in hand with Wanainchi and in this Ramadhan, we decided to share the little we have as a sign of togetherness,” he said.

Hajji Kalungi added that “Our community was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and most of us are finding it hard to break the fast, especially during this holy month. That’s why we are here to share the little we get with our people.”

He was flanked by a team of officers including ASP Aisha Kayongo and ASP Mary Nankinga.

The items were received by Muslim leaders from the three mosques who appreciated the timely gesture occasioned by Police and prayed for the Almighty Allah to bless the act.

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Minister Jacob Oboth meets UN Chief

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Our Reporter
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The Minister of State for Defence in Charge of General Duties Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth has met the Assistant Secretary General and Head of United Nations Support Office for Somalia (UNSOS) His Excellency Lisa Filipetto.

The meeting happened at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala.

At the meeting, Hon. Oboth and H.E Filipetto shared matters regarding the importance of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and UNSOS in supporting a Somali-led peace and security process in Somalia.

Uganda is a Troop Contributing Country (TCC) to ATMIS and UPDF forms the United Nations Guard Unit (UNGU), which protects the United Nations (UN) facilities and Personnel in Somalia while UNSOS is a United Nations office in Somalia that provides logistical support to ATMIS.

Hon Oboth re-echoed the Government of Uganda appreciation to UNSOS for the logistical support extended to ATMIS, formerly African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) since 2012.

“Your Excellency Madam Lisa, your visit to Uganda is considered another testimony of the United Nations continued support to the regional and sub-regional efforts in search for peace in the world,” Hon Oboth noted.

He reassured H.E Filipetto of UPDF’s continuous effort in supporting a Somali led peace and security process.

“We are still committed to do even more. What touches an African touches us all. Any danger to Somalia, is a danger to us all,” noted Hon Oboth. “This is our Pan-Africanism spirit and we can do this anywhere,” he reiterated.

In attendance was also the State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Okello Oryem. In his remarks, he applauded UPDF’s enormous sacrifice in Somalia.

He assured the representatives from UNSOS that Uganda is ready for the next stage of her responsibility in Somalia until the last day. “There is nothing more important than security. For national and regional security, it is important that Somalia is pacified,” Hon. Oryem emphasized.

H.E Filipetto, in her remarks, recognized and commended the ultimate sacrifice made by UPDF in Somalia.

She observed that logistical support to ATMIS, effective and efficient transfer of security responsibilities from ATMIS to Somali the National Security Forces need unity of purpose from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), International Partners, Troop Contributing Countries and the UN. “The ultimate vision is for Somalia to take over. We have to work together, we have to stay firm in this partnership, and we have to be committed to this security transition process. If we can be solid in our partnership, and work constructively with the Somali National Security Forces to enable them to do what they have to do, that will be helpful,” remarked H.E Filipetto

Both parties concurred that commitment to a shared vision, timely planning and communication will help deliver the mandate of ATMIS in its expected duration which is April 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024.

The meeting was also attended by the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Ms. Rosette Byengoma, Under Secretary Finance and Administration Ms. Edith Butuuro, UPDF Joint Chief of Staff Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda, UPDF Military Advisor to the United Nations based Maj Gen Silver Kayemba, and the Chief of Staff Land Forces Brig Gen Bob Ogiki, among others Chiefs and Directors of UPDF.

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Aziz Kayondo completes move to Real Monarchs in America

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Our Reporter
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America’s Major League Soccer (MLS) NEXT Pro side Real Monarchs have announced the signing of Ugandan defender Aziz Kayondo from Vipers SC, to an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract, pending league approval.

“Kayondo is a talented, young defender who has quickly risen to a high pedigree in African football, both with his club and the Uganda national team,” Real Salt Lake Assistant General Manager Tony Beltran said. “We believe this is just the beginning of what he can accomplish and are excited about the potential heights he can reach with Real Monarchs and our organization.”

Kayondo, 19, joins Real Monarchs from Vipers SC for the last four seasons, guiding them to their second Stanbic Uganda Cup Trophy in 2020.

Kayondo has been a feature of the Ugandan National Team ranks, making 11 appearances for the U-20 and U-23 squads, and recently recording his first appearance with the senior national team in their 2022 World Cup Qualifier against Rwanda. 

Kayondo was named one of three finalists for the 2021 Airtel-Fufa Awards Men’s Player of the Year, given to the top player in Uganda. He was also named to the Best XI for the 2020 U-20 AFCON team after leading the U20 team to the finals of the tournament.

Real Monarchs are currently competing in the newly formed MLS NEXT Pro, with its next home match set for this Friday, April 29 against St. Louis City 2.

Real Monarchs is a professional soccer club playing in the MLS Next Pro, a third division league of American soccer. The team is owned by, and operates as the reserve team of, the Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake.

Player Information

Name: Aziz Kayondo

Position: Defender

Height: 5’9″

Date of Birth: October 6, 2002

Age: 19

Birthplace: Kalungu, Uganda

Hometown: Kalungu, Uganda

Citizenship: Uganda

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Sarah Kagingo moved in the latest Parliament staff changes

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Our Reporter
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Sarah Kagingo

Parliament has made changes among its key press personalities in both the offices of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

Among the changes are Ms Sarah Kagingo, the former Principal Press Secretary to the late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah who has been moved to Library section.

Joseph Sabiiti who has been the Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker has been elevated to Principal Press Secretary in the office of the Speaker.

Also, in the same changes, former Monitor photographer Dominic Bukenya has been recruited as chief photographer in the office of the Speaker and will now work as Assistant Press Secretary to the Speaker.

Alex Esagala who has been personal chief photographer for Mr Thomas Tayebwa while he was Chief Whip has now been recruited as chief photographer in the office of the Deputy Speaker and will also be Senior Assistant Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker.

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Presidents Museveni, Nyusi discuss Defence, Tourism, Trade

By
Geoffery Serugo
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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his Mozambican counterpart President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his Mozambican counterpart President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi have held discussions on strengthening historical ties, political, economic, social and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

The two Heads of State reiterated their commitments made in May 2018 in Maputo, Mozambique to strengthen further the existing ties and review new areas of cooperation particularly in the fields of; Defence and Security, Immigration, Agriculture, Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Development, Works and Transport, Trade and Investment, Tourism, Youth and Culture, Labour and Employment, Environment, Education and Sports, among others.

While addressing the media, President Museveni Museveni referred to his earlier visit to Mozambique in 2018 where he visited their old base in Montepuez and met the war veterans whom together with the government of Mozambique have been supporting.

“I had an idea which I proposed to his Excellency which was to start a wealth creation association of veterans or their children so that they produce wealth for families but also for their country,” Museveni said, adding that, “it was to show Uganda’s gratitude to the people of Mozambique for their role in the liberation of Uganda.”

According to President Yoweri Museveni, 28 of the soldiers who formed the Front for National Salvation, which later became the National Resistance Army before it became the Uganda People’s Defence Force, were trained at Montepuez, the second largest city in the province of Cabo Delgado, in Mozambique.

Museveni however noted that since 2018, little has been done partly due to the insecurity in the area.

“I advised that why don’t you add a force to guard the activities, then we also contribute to the security in the area,” Museveni said.

The President also offered to train Mozambique nationals (Scientists) in wildlife conservation and protection to also reap from the huge benefits of tourism like Uganda.

“Before COVID-19, we were getting 1.6 billion dollars each year from Tourism and we were getting 1.5 million visitors. Tourism in Uganda has recovered, it had collapsed during President Idi Amin’s time because animals had been poached but when we took over power, we stabilised everything. For us we are ready as the Uganda government to train any Mozambican who you will send here for wildlife courses, especially university graduates who should be scientists,” Museveni said. He said these will be conservationists and other protection forces to contribute to the security in the parks.

On his part, President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi of the Republic of Mozambique expressed gratitude to Museveni for accepting to support them in maintaining security and stability in Mozambique.

“We took some time discussing security matters given that ever since 1982 there are a lot of security issues to settle in there and to also support the war veterans,” Mr Nyusi said, adding that a meeting with the war veterans was held and shared experiences on how to support them.

He also revealed that his coming to Uganda was to establish how Uganda can invest in agriculture, citrus production and animal rearing in Mozambique given that Uganda has a lot of experience in that field.

Museveni revealed that next month a team led by Lt Gen Ivan Koreta, who is among the 28 soldiers who were trained at Montepuez under the Front for National Salvation, which later became the National Resistance Army before it became the Uganda People’s Defence Force, will lead a delegation of Ugandan agricultural scientists and Defence officials to establish how best Uganda can support Mozambique.

President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and First Lady HE. Dr. Isaura Gonçalo Ferrão Nyusi and other Senior Government Officials of the Republic of Mozambique who are in Uganda on a three-day State Visit, were received at State House, Entebbe with full ceremonial honours by their hosts His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni.

According to the Joint communique, the two Heads of State reaffirmed the importance of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) as a framework for deepening bilateral relations between the two countries and reiterated their directive to their respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs to convene the next Session of the JPC in Kampala in 2022, on dates to be mutually agreed through the normal diplomatic channels.

They also directed their respective Ministers to work on a mechanism to facilitate the waiving of visas for Diplomatic and Service passport holders.

Mr. Museveni expressed his gratitude to His Excellency President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi for honouring his invitation and for the fruitful discussions they held. He later hosted the visiting delegation to a luncheon.

During his stay, H.D Filipe Jacinto Nrusi is expected to visit and tour Luwero Industries Limited and Kawumu Presidential Demonstration Farm.

Mozambique and Uganda have enjoyed good relations of friendship and solidarity since the national liberation struggle stemming from the 1970s during the days of Frelimo, as the country fought for independence.

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Ukraine war: UNWTO members vote to suspend Russia

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Our Reporter
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Russia-Ukraine war

The Russian Federation has been suspended from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), losing with immediate effect its rights and privileges as part of the United Nations specialized agency.

Meeting for a first extraordinary UNWTO General Assembly, Members debated the suspension of Russia from the Organization, as decided by the UNWTO Executive Council at its emergency meeting last month. The Russian delegation declined to step up and defend its position, and instead announced its withdrawal from UNWTO before the debate took place.

The Assembly voted in favor of suspension, far exceeding the two-third majority required. The decision is effective immediately, while voluntary withdrawal is only effective one year after a Member submits an official communication through the appropriate channels.

Tourism is a pillar of peace and international friendship, and Members of UNWTO must uphold these values or face consequences, with no exceptions.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “UNWTO’s Members have sent a clear message: Tourism is a pillar of peace and international friendship, and Members of UNWTO must uphold these values or face consequences, with no exceptions. This emergency General Assembly shows that Russia’s actions are indefensible and contrary to the very principles of UNWTO and of international governance.”

Loss of rights and privileges

In total, 99 countries were represented in Madrid. According to Article 3 of the Statutes, all Members commit to developing tourism with a “view to contributing to economic development, international understanding, peace, prosperity, and universal prospect for, and observance of, human rights”.

Effective immediately, the Russian Federation will not be able to exercise the rights or enjoy the privileges of UNWTO membership. This means it will not be able to receive services from the Organization, including Technical Assistance, nor will the Russian Federation be able to participate in any UNWTO meetings or events, be permitted to put forward any candidates to serve on UNWTO’s statutory bodies, or to vote in elections to UNWTO organs or to propose a candidate to serve as Secretary-General.

Fulfilling members’ requests

The first emergency session of the General Assembly was convened at the request of six Members and at the instruction of the UNWTO Executive Council. The UNWTO Secretariat then provided a comprehensive report to the General Assembly for Member States to take an informed decision in relation to Russian Federation’s suspension from membership, following the Organization´s Statutes.

The UNWTO Statutes state that any Member State may be suspended if two-thirds of their fellow Members believe them to be persisting in a policy that is contrary to the fundamental aim of the Organization. A majority of two-thirds of Full Members present and voting at the General Assembly is required for a motion for suspension of membership to pass. Suspension is temporary and may be lifted, though only by the General Assembly and following the same procedure.

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