The United Nations Specialised Agency for tourism has confirmed Ms. Al Nowais as its next Secretary-General following the 26th General Assembly in Riyadh. Her appointment, confirmed by the 160 Member States, is a historic moment as she becomes the first woman to lead the organisation in its 50-year history. Ms. Al Nowais will commence her five-year term at the start of 2026. She brings considerable private sector experience to the role, including her recent position as Corporate Vice President at Rotana Hotels. She also chairs the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s Tourism Working Group. She outlined five core priorities for her mandate. These include responsible tourism, capacity building, technology for good, innovative financing, and smart governance.