In cooperation with UNESCO Mexico and Mexican World Heritage Cities Association (MWHCA or ANCMPM), the UNOSSC Cities Project launched the pilot “South-South Cooperation on Sustainable Tourism Development in Mexican World Heritage Cities” aimed to enhance capacities of local authorities for achieving a sustainable growth and recovery of the tourism sector and exchange practices through South- South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC). As the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets offer the world a new direction, sustainable tourism can and must play a significant role in delivering sustainable solutions for people, the planet, prosperity, and peace. In this regard, UNESCO has developed normative and analytical frameworks, which include the World Heritage List, a list of properties forming part of the cultural and natural heritage of the whole humanity, given their Outstanding Universal Value.
Mexico has 14 cities declared by UNESCO as World Heritage, and these cities works together within the Mexican World Heritage Cities Association (MWHCA). The pilot project reinforces the protection of the Outstanding Universal Values of World Heritage Cities of Mexico, straightens the positives synergies of tourism and culture in the framework of the SDGs and promotes knowledge exchanges and cooperation among cities of the Global South.