‘Historic milestone’: MATI elected to UN Tourism Board of Affiliate Members

Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) has been elected to the United Nations Tourism Board of Affiliate Members – making them the first Maldivian tourism representative to serve on the global tourism board.

In a statement on Thursday announcing the election to the UN Tourism Board of Affiliate Members for the 2016-2029 term, MATI described it as “a historic milestone.”

According to MATI, it secured one of two regional seats allocated to South Asia in the election, which the association described as a testament to the Maldives' prominence in the region’s tourism landscape.

The association will be represented on the board by Asad Ali, Deputy Secretary-General of MATI.

According to MATI, he will be traveling to the Saudi capital Riyadh to attend the board’s first meeting on November 11, during the 26th General Assembly of UN Tourism, where discussions on global tourism development and cooperation will take place.

The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) has been elected to the UN Tourism Board of Affiliate Members for the 2026-2029 term, marking a historic milestone as the first entity from Maldives tourism to serve on this international board. pic.twitter.com/LyvTI0hkhL

— Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (@matimaldivesmv) October 23, 2025

The UN Tourism Board of Affiliate Members serves as an advisory body to the UN Tourism Secretary-General, and plays a key role in aligning member organizations with the goals, mission, and general program of work of UN Tourism.

Comprising 20 elected positions - including 12 regional members from six global regions and eight global members - the board is tasked with making administrative and technical decisions between plenary sessions, and providing strategic recommendations on the program of work and annual objectives for Affiliate Membership.

The board’s main functions also include providing recommendations to the Secretary-General on the Affiliate Members’ Program of Work, advising on strategic matters related to Affiliate Membership, and carrying out tasks entrusted by the plenary or committee.

MATI was granted Affiliate Membership of the UN Tourism by the 23rd UNWTO General Assembly on September 11, 2019, becoming the first organization from the Maldives to achieve this status.