The 26th General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) is being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 7 to 11 November, as well as the 45th plenary session of the associate members of this organization.

A delegation from the University of Skopje, which has been an associate member of UN Tourism since 2010, is participating in this gathering of the world's elite in the field of tourism, including representatives of hundreds of countries or governments, business, science and education.

The plenary session of the associate members was addressed by the Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, Ahmet Al Kateb, the current Secretary-General of UN Tourism, H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili, the new Secretary-General H.E. Shaika Al Nowais, who will take office in January next year, as well as the Director of the associate members, Ion Viltsu. There are over 500 associate members from 165 countries, including the University of Skopje, from the Republic of Macedonia.

The main topics were - the work program of the UN Tourism Associate Members and the new model for partnership with the member states.

For the delegation of the University of Skopje, this world gathering was an opportunity for more meetings with potential partners and colleagues from universities and educational institutions from other countries. The main topics discussed were the possibilities for mutual cooperation and agreements for visiting the University of Skopje and Macedonia as an attractive tourist destination.

On this occasion, the Rector, Prof. PhD. Ace Milenkovski, met with the new Secretary General of UN Tourism, H.E. Shaika Al Nowais, and congratulated her on her election to that position.In the conversation with the Director of the Associate Members, Ion Vilcu, the visit of students from the University of Skopje to the UN Tourism headquarters in Madrid, which is planned for January next year, came up.