Russia abandoned the World Tourism Organization (OMT), anticipating his imminent expulsion by the invasion of Ukraineannounced this Wednesday this UN body.
“Russia announced its intention to withdraw” from the UNWTO during its general assembly in Madrid, the body announced on Twitter, specifying that its “suspension becomes effective immediately.”
Still, members of the general assembly will vote on Russia’s suspension, which was decided in early March by a majority of UNWTO executive council members.
“Members will be able to express their opinion through a democratic vote,” the organization added in its message on social networks. The suspension has to be approved by two thirds of the members.
“Our statutes are clear: promotion of tourism in favor of peace and universal respect for human rights,” insisted, also on Twitter, the Secretary General of the UNWTO, the Georgian Zurab Pololikashvili.
Only members that fit this can join the UNWTO,” he added.
Made up of 159 member states, the UNWTO already condemned in early March the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24.
According to this organization, which has its headquarters in Madrid since 1976, it has never before met to consider the suspension of a member.