The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) has been elected to the United Nations Tourism Board of Affiliate Members – becoming the first Maldivian tourism body to be represented on the global tourism platform.
In a statement on Thursday announcing its election to the UN Tourism Board of Affiliate Members for the 2026-2029 term, MATI hailed the achievement as “a historic milestone.”
MATI said it won one of the two regional seats designated for South Asia, which the association noted reflects the Maldives’ strong standing within the regional tourism sector.
Asad Ali, Deputy Secretary-General of MATI, will serve as the association’s representative on the board.
He is scheduled to travel to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend the board’s first meeting on November 11, held alongside the 26th General Assembly of UN Tourism, where discussions on global tourism growth and cooperation are set to take place.
The UN Tourism Board of Affiliate Members acts as an advisory body to the UN Tourism Secretary-General, and plays a key role in aligning affiliate organizations with UN Tourism’s mission, goals, and overall work program.
With 20 elected positions – including 12 regional seats across six regions and eight global seats – the board is responsible for administrative and technical decisions between plenary sessions, while also delivering strategic input on the work program and yearly objectives for Affiliate Members.
Its core responsibilities include offering recommendations to the Secretary-General on the Affiliate Members’ Program of Work, advising on strategic matters related to Affiliate Membership, and executing tasks delegated by the plenary or committee.
MATI became an Affiliate Member of UN Tourism on September 11, 2019, following approval at the 23rd UNWTO General Assembly, marking the first time a Maldivian organization attained this membership status.
