The first global mayors' forum of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) takes place today (Friday) in Lisbon.

"Portugal will be an international stage for the discussion on sustainability of tourism in cities", the secretary of state Ana Mendes Godinho told Lusa.

The first 'UNWTO Mayors Forum for Sustainable Urban Tourism' will count on around 15 participants and 15 mayors and deputy mayors from several cities including Sao Paulo (Brazil), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Paris (France), Bruges (Belgium), Moscow (Russia), Seoul (South Korea), Madrid and Barcelona (Spain).

The forum comes following a proposal made by the government of Portugal to the secretary general of the World Tourism Organisation, Zurab Pololikashvili, during a meeting last year, Mendes Godinho pointed out.

Organised by the UNWTO, the ministry of economy, Tourism of Portugal and Lisbon city council, the forum aims to "provide a unique platform to discuss issues and solutions for developing and managing tourism in cities in a way that promotes economic growth, social inclusion and environmental sustainability", according to the organisation's website.

Portugal’s government launched in 2018 a line of credit to support sustainability projects and promote initiatives in companies, public bodies and civil society associations.

In recent months 21 projects were approved related to social and environmental sustainability in the tourism sector, which involved a €6 million investment, the secretary of state told Lusa.