On November 11, 2020, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), represented in Mexico by Frédéric Vacheron Oriol, and the Mexican Ministry of Tourism, represented by Secretary Miguel Torruco Marqués, signed an agreement via a virtual ceremony.

Representing the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico, the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (CANIRAC), the National Association of Mexican World Heritage Cities, the Tourism and Culture Commission of the LXIV Legislature of the H. Congress of the Union, the Regional Institute of World Heritage in Zacatecas, a Category 2 Center under the auspices of UNESCO, and other representatives of the Mexican tourism industry, the Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Mexico, Mr. Miguel Torruco, mentioned the great importance of tourism as a lever for development and progress in the country, allowing for an improvement in the quality of life of the population, and contributing to the development of communities in a responsible manner, respecting the natural, cultural and social environment, and thus strengthening national identity.

Mr. Miguel Torruco emphasized the new challenges facing the country due to the current health crisis and highlighted Mexico's great cultural and natural wealth, mentioning the 35 sites that are part of UNESCO's World Heritage List.

He concluded his message by urging all three levels of government, international, national, and local authorities, the private sector, academia, and civil society to strengthen the Sustainable Tourism Development Policy in order to implement community-based tourism, contributing to poverty reduction and respecting the sociocultural authenticity of host communities, while preserving their tangible and intangible heritage.

For this reason, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Mexican Ministry of Tourism have decided to join forces in providing advisory services, exchanging experiences and information, offering technical cooperation, and organizing seminars and activities to promote the development of tourism for the well-being of communities.

For his part, Mr. Frédéric Vacheron Oriol, Representative of the UNESCO Office in Mexico, mentioned the collaboration that has taken place with the Regional Institute of World Heritage in Zacatecas to strengthen the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in Mexico and with the countries of the Central American and Caribbean region.

He also extended an invitation to participate in the First International Forum on World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the aim of exchanging experiences regarding the conservation of cultural and natural heritage through the promotion of responsible tourism. He proposed that this event serve as the first action under the agreement between the two institutions.

The Regional Institute of World Heritage in Zacatecas celebrates and recognizes the importance of the signing of the agreement between the Ministry of Tourism of the Government of the United Mexican States and the UNESCO Office in Mexico, as a way to develop new proposals for tourism in the country.