G20 Ministerial Meeting Stresses Promotion of Economic Growth Through Education

The G20 Ministers of Education meet under the G20 Saudi Presidency. Photo: G20 Saudi Arabia Twitter Account
The G20 Ministers of Education meet under the G20 Saudi Presidency. Photo: G20 Saudi Arabia Twitter Account
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G20 Ministerial Meeting Stresses Promotion of Economic Growth Through Education

The G20 Ministers of Education meet under the G20 Saudi Presidency. Photo: G20 Saudi Arabia Twitter Account
The G20 Ministers of Education meet under the G20 Saudi Presidency. Photo: G20 Saudi Arabia Twitter Account

The Education Ministers of the Group of 20 major economies have committed during a virtual meeting under the G20 Saudi Presidency in enabling all people to realize the opportunities of the 21st century.

The ministers reaffirmed their “commitment to ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

A statement issued by the Saudi G20 Secretariat on Saturday said that the conferees encouraged international collaboration and the sharing of best practices to advance education systems in the world.

“In this way, we will contribute to broader aims, including reducing poverty and inequality; promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth; advancing access to quality education for all, especially girls, and empowering women, youth and vulnerable groups.”

The ministers highlighted “the importance of improving access to quality Early Childhood Education (ECE) as a foundation for the development of current and future generations and as a fundamental part of promoting equity and inclusion in education and encouraging lifelong learning.”

“We recognize the value of fostering internationalization in education as a means of improving the quality of education at all levels and cultivating global citizens who are prepared for an increasingly interconnected world,” the statement quoted them as saying.

The ministers encouraged the development of policies and measures to support the continuity of education while prioritizing the health and safety of students, teachers and parents during the pandemic.

They also stressed the importance of research and data to assess the learning outcomes and quality of distance learning.



Travel Industry to Contribute Record $11 Trillion to Global GDP in 2024

Tourists check a souvenir stand while walking around the Grand-Place square, in central Brussels, Belgium, 31 August 2024. (EPA)
Tourists check a souvenir stand while walking around the Grand-Place square, in central Brussels, Belgium, 31 August 2024. (EPA)
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Travel Industry to Contribute Record $11 Trillion to Global GDP in 2024

Tourists check a souvenir stand while walking around the Grand-Place square, in central Brussels, Belgium, 31 August 2024. (EPA)
Tourists check a souvenir stand while walking around the Grand-Place square, in central Brussels, Belgium, 31 August 2024. (EPA)

A record $1 out of every $10 spent globally in 2024 will be on travel as people briskly book hotels, cruises and flights, according to an annual report by the World Travel and Tourism Council, a non-profit membership organization.

The travel and tourism industry's contribution to global gross domestic product is expected to reach new heights as consumers increasingly see travel as an essential part of their budgets.

The WTTC estimates the industry's contribution to global GDP in 2024 will increase 12.1% year-over-year to $11.1 trillion, making up 10% of global GDP. This represents about a 7.5% increase from the previous record set in 2019.

"Despite some concerns last year about us going into a global recession and high inflation, this year we are looking at travel and tourism being a real economic powerhouse globally," said Julia Simpson, CEO of the non-profit organization.

Travel spending in the US, Chinese and German economies is expected to contribute the most to GDP.

The sector is expected to support nearly 348 million jobs in 2024, or 13.6 million jobs more than in 2019, the previous record prior to the pandemic. The industry is still hiring to fill jobs in the rapidly expanding field.

In the United States, there are currently 1 million job openings across the leisure and hospitality industry, according to the US Travel Association. Total employment supported in the US was about 27 million jobs in 2023, according to the WTTC.