- When: Pre-recorded event. Available on Sunday, 20 December 2020, 7:00am (New York Time)
- How to access: Recording will be available in English through UNOSSC YouTube and BibiBili channels. Recordings in Chinese will be available on Fenzhibo and Fengshow platforms. Sign language interpretation will also be provided.
Also available on BiliBili
Background and Objectives
It has been more than a year since the Second High-level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation (BAPA+40) which was held in Buenos Aires last year. The BAPA + 40 meeting recognised the promise of a significant contribution by South-South and triangular cooperation to the sustainable development agenda.
The COVID-19 pandemic has dented those hopes and retarded the progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals affecting vulnerable countries in the Global South. The current crisis is a stark reminder of humanity’s common fate and of the need for the world to work together to meet the challenges ahead of us. This is a message at the centre of the principles of South-South cooperation with principles of solidarity and people to people connectivity.
The tourism sector has been in particular affected by the pandemic, which also brings other socio-economic challenges, such as unemployment and poverty. It is crucial to explore innovative tools that may help reduce these negative impacts and share good practices of these efforts. For instance, digitalization has been changing the global economy in a transformative manner, both creating new forms of economy and providing innovative tools in traditional economic sectors.
Creative economy and tourism are interlinked, and are recognized as significant sectors, which spurs innovation and knowledge sharing across all sectors of the economy. Digital disruption is a key trend influencing the present the future of creative economies in developing countries. These creative economy sectors are among the hardest hid during the pandemic, such as venue-based sectors, like museums, dance and theatres. In the absence of responsive public support and recovery strategies, the downsizing of cultural and creative sectors tend to have a negative impact on cities and regions in terms of jobs and revenues, levels of innovation, citizen well-being and the vibrancy and diversity of communities.
E-commerce can play an important role in the revival of the tourism sector in developing countries. There are already good practices and successful cases of developing countries utilizing digital tools like e-commerce platforms, campaigns or marketplace to promote tourism. Digital platforms are not only increasingly utilized for sharing and updating tourism information, but also promote trade, selling of local specialties and handicraft, and particularly the growth of small business and individual entrepreneurs, including women and the youth.
Aligned with the “Build Back Better” approach, UNOSSC organizes this webinar on “Showcasing Good Practices in Promoting Creative Economy and E-commerce for Tourism Recovery to Build Back Better in response to COVID-19” inviting representatives of municipal governments, think tanks, and academic institutions globally. In particular, this webinar will share good practices adopted in response to the challenges COVID-19 posed to key economic sectors, like tourism. As well as share experiences and knowledge on how developing countries are adopting strategies and good practices to support tourism recovery and build back better with e-commerce as well as creative economy.
Agenda
1. Welcome Remarks
- Xiaojun Grace Wang, Deputy Director, UNOSSC
2. Agency and Institutions Presentations
- Mirvokhid Azimov, Deputy Secretary General of the Turkic Council
- Tunde Fafunwa, Lead Advisor, Digital Centre for Excellence-Identity, Trade & Economy, UN Economic Commission for Africa
3. Moderated Presentations
- Ming Li, Director, Administrative Committee, Malanshan Culture Innovation & Creative Economy Industrial Park, Changsha City, China
- Frank Kwabena Owusu, Director of Operations at the Creative Arts Council of Ghana (its policy head is the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture of Ghana)
- Aloysius Mapalo, Tourism Operations Specialist of the City Government of Baguio, The Philippines
- Pauliina Muftuoglu, Member of Alanya City Council and President of Culture and Tourism Committee
- Michael Sudarkasa, Chief Executive Officer, Africa Business Group
4. Featuring short city and institutions Tourism and Creative Industry Promo videos
5. Q&A / Open Discussion
6. Summary and Closing Remarks
- Xiaojun Grace Wang, Deputy Director, UNOSSC