Historic Memorandum of Understanding between the African Tourism Board and Rotary International to promote peace on the continent
Written by: Ayman Ragab
The African Tourism Board (ATB) and the Rotary International's Executive Committee of Intercountry Committees (ICC) signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding during the 3rd African Peace Forum in Casablanca. This move establishes a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing positive peace, sustainable tourism, youth empowerment, community development, and people-to-people diplomacy across the African continent.
This agreement combines the African Tourism Board's vision of promoting Africa as a «single tourist destination» with the global Rotary network, which includes leaders committed to humanitarian service, peacebuilding, and promoting international cooperation.
The forum was held under the theme «From Dialogue to Action,» with the participation of Rotary leaders, district governors, diplomats, tourism experts, government officials, businessmen, and civil society representatives from various parts of Africa and the world. The forum was chaired by Past District Governor (PDG) Annemarie Mostert, Chair of the Rotary International Intercountry Committee (ICC) Executive Council for the 2026–2028 period.
Egyptian participation
The forum was attended by Nancy Abdel Hadi, COO of the African Tourism Board, former Regional Governor (PDG) Abdel Hamid El Awawi, and Rotarian Mariam Fayez.
During her speech at the plenary session titled «From Dialogue to Action: Sustainable Peace Through People's Diplomacy,» Nancy Abdel Hadi affirmed that tourism is one of the most powerful tools for building trust, fostering mutual understanding, and creating economic opportunities that contribute to achieving sustainable peace.
She clarified that positive peace is not limited to the absence of conflict but is based on building social, economic, and cultural conditions that enable societies to flourish through cooperation, dialogue, inclusion, and sustainable development. She also reaffirmed the African Tourism Board's vision of promoting Africa as «one tourist destination,» noting that tourism is a major driver for investment, job creation, cultural heritage preservation, regional integration, and strengthening cooperation among African countries.
Implement joint initiatives focused on sustainable tourism development
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the African Tourism Board and the Rotary International General Council (ICC) will collaborate on implementing joint initiatives focused on sustainable tourism development, peacebuilding, youth leadership development, community development, and promoting people-to-people diplomacy.
The forum also coincided with the handover ceremony of Rotary District 9010, which includes Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Mauritania, where District Governor (DG) Younes Said officially took over responsibility. The ceremony was attended by a number of current and past District Governors, former Chairpersons of the Intercountry Committees (ICC), committee leaders and trainers, as well as delegations from Africa and around the world, including the District Governor-Elect (DGE) Peter Kagwa from Rotary District 9214, which includes Uganda and northwest Tanzania.
The African Tourism Board continues to leverage Egyptian expertise and leadership, represented by CEO Ramy Wahid, and His Excellency Hisham Zaazou, former Egyptian Minister of Tourism and member of the African Tourism Board's Executive Council, alongside Nancy Abdelhady as Chief Operating Officer.
Employing tourism as a tool for promoting positive peace
This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to employing tourism as a tool for promoting positive peace, fostering intercultural understanding, supporting sustainable development, and creating economic opportunities. By uniting the expertise and potential of both institutions, the parties aim to transform dialogue into practical initiatives that create a tangible and sustainable impact, benefiting communities across the African continent.
