Representing Macau SAR Government, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Cheong U, accompanied by Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Autunes, led a delegation to participate at the 19th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly in Gyeongju, Korea during the period of 9th to 11th of October. Cheong U and his delegation attended the Opening Ceremony and Welcome Dinner on 9th October, held at the Gyeongju Arts Center. Officiating the Opening Ceremony include Prime Minister of Korea Kim Hwang-Sik, Secretary-General of UNWTO Taleb Rifai and Deputy Secretary -General of United Nations Asha-Rose Migiro. On the 10th, together with other ministers or heads of tourism authorities around the world, Cheong U participated at the Ministerial Round Table (MRT) themed on "Fostering Growth and the Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals through Tourism, Culture and Sports". Taking this prestigious occasion, Cheong U delivered a short presentation at the MRT, depicting the importance of tourism to Macau and the goal of developing Macau into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. Amongst other dignities who delivered their interventions included Vice Chairman of China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) Du Jiang, with whom Cheong U had a friendly talk before the MRT. Besides the General Assembly, members of the delegation also attended the meetings of the Executive Council and Commission for Asia and Pacific Region over the period of Oct 9th and 13th. Members of the delegation also include advisor of GSASC Luisa Ferreira, Head of Organizational Planning and Development Department Cheng Wai Tong and Head of Communication and External Relations Department Cecilia Tse. Macau is Associate Member of UNWTO since 1981 and participates actively in the related meetings. This year the event is held at the city of Gyeongju in Korea, which is an ancient capital city of the 1000 years of Silla Dynasty of Korea with their culture awarded with UNESCO heritage recognition.
